Sir James Plimsoll Lecture

I will be presenting the inaugural Sir James Plimsoll Lecture on Friday 11 May on the topic of Australian diplomacy.

This will be a new lecture series, co-hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

The series is in honour of Sir James Plimsoll, one of Australia’s most distinguished diplomats.

Sir James Plimsoll joined the Department of External Affairs in 1948 at the age of thirty-three. He served as Australiaís Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1959 to 1963 and High Commissioner in New Delhi from 1963 to 1965.

He was Secretary of the Department of External Affairs from 1965 to 1970, Ambassador in Washington from 1970 to 1974, Ambassador in Moscow from 1974 to 1977, Ambassador in Brussels from 1977 to 1980, High Commissioner in London from 1980 to 1981 and Ambassador in Tokyo from 1981 to 1982. After retiring from the Public Service, he served as Governor of Tasmania from 1982 until his death in office in 1987.

I am confident that this lecture series, held annually in Tasmania and focusing on international affairs and diplomacy, will be a fitting contribution to the life and work of Sir James Plimsoll.

The inaugural lecture will take place on Friday 11 May at 7 p.m. in the Stanley Burbury Theatre, Sandy Bay Campus, University of Tasmania, Hobart.

Media Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555