Evatt Foundation

The H.V. Evatt Memorial Foundation is an Australian think tank founded in memory of Australian politician, judge, historian and diplomat H. V. Evatt. It is based in Sydney, with members and supporters from around the world. It is a progressive organisation dedicated to the development of ideas, research, discussion and debate, and is linked to the Australian Labour movement.

History

The Evatt Foundation was established in 1979 as a memorial to Dr Herbert Vere Evatt with the aim of advancing the ideals of the labour movement, such as equality, participation, social justice and human rights. The Foundation helps to promote these ideals through research, publications, public discussion and debate.

In the Great Hall of Sydney University, the Evatt Foundation was launched before a very large audience of loyal supporters. Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Bill Hayden, Neville Wran, Manning Clark and Faith Bandler made great inspirational speeches.

To encourage the Foundation to pursue its objectives, major grants were given by the NSW government, the Tasmanian government and other public and private organisations, including trade unions and business enterprises. From 1984 to 1999 the Foundation received an annual grant from the Commonwealth government.

The Evatt Foundation has established a prominent public profile through its public education program of seminars, conferences and publications. A major reason for the success of the Foundation over the years has been the support of a very loyal membership base.

On 23 August 2007, in the lead-up to the Sydney meeting of APEC, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating gave a public lecture organised by the Evatt Foundation.

The first Evatt Foundation Committee (1979-1981)

President:Sir Richard Kirby. Vice President:Professor Manning Clark. Committee Members: Terry Higgins (Public Officer), Charles Wright, Rosalind Carrodus, Franka Arena, Lee Patterson and Jim Bayutti.

Subsequent Evatt Foundation committees

Presidents (1982–2007): Cliff Dolan, the Hon Tom Uren, Bruce Childs and Christopher Sheil.

Vice-Presidents (1982–2007): The Hon Neville Wran, Elizabeth Evatt, Michael Easson, Terry Higgins, Professor Ted Wheelwright, Professor Jim Hagan, the Hon Joan Kirner, Peter Robson, the Hon Brian Howe, Sandra Moait, Tom McDonald, Ann Catling, the Hon Ron Dyer, Adam Kerslake, the Hon Jeannette McHugh (Hon Secretary), Rae Cooper and the Hon Penny Sharpe.

Committee Members (1982–2007): Penelope Siedler, Justice Brennan, Justice Phil Evatt, Senator Doug McClelland, Alan Renouf, Jack Dusseldorp, Kim Williams, Jim Falk, Robin Gurr, the Hon Andrew Refshauge, Bill Leslie, Tom Kelly, Charles Wright (Public Officer), Kerry Schott, Race Mathews, Leslie Fallick, Anna Booth, Chris Christodoulou, the Hon Bob Debus, David Haynes, Stephen Mills, Senator Graham Maguire, Suzanne Jamieson, Tom McDonald, Victoria Rubensohn, John Langmore (Public Officer), Peter Robson, Wendy Caird, Senator George Campbell, Jenny Macklin MP, Pat Staunton, the Hon Jeannette McHugh, the Hon Brian Howe, Sandra Moait, Sharan Burrow, Doug Cameron, Professor Roy Green, Professor Stuart Macintyre, the Hon Carmel Tebbutt, Julie Crane, Chris Gambian, Joanne Smith, Sue Tracy, Roberta Ryan, Richard Gartrell, Rae Cooper, Tony Moore, Professor Frank Stilwell, Rowanne Couch, Christopher Sheil, Tom Morton, Warwick McDonald, Mark McGrath, Fay Gervasoni, the Hon Penny Sharpe and Mel Gatfield.

Life Memberships awarded The late Sir Richard Kirby, the late Cliff Dolan, Faith Bandler, Elizabeth Evatt, Rosalind Carrodus, John Burton, Professor Ted Wheelwright and the Hon Tom Uren.

External links

• Evatt Foundation