The Northern Territory Library has announced immigration lawyer, advocate and 2018’s NT Young Australian of the Year, Kevin Kadirgamar, as the guest speaker to present the 2018 Eric Johnston Lecture.
Titled Multiculturalism and forty years of Self-Government: Why cities need cultural diversity to thrive, the lecture will reflect on the Northern Territory’s multicultural past and Kevin’s vision for its future.
Patrick Gregory, Senior Director Northern Territory Library and Archives, said the lecture coincided with both 40 years of Self-Government and 40 years of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, of which Kevin Kadirgamar is the current President.
“This year’s lecture addresses the issue of cultural diversity, which has not only been a key factor in the Territory’s historical development but also a critical part of our contemporary society.
“The growth of the Territory during self-government and the growth of Multicultural Council of the NT have happened alongside each other and it will be really interesting to hear Kevin’s thoughts on what we can achieve together over the next 40 years.”
The Eric Johnston Lecture is an annual lecture hosted by the Northern Territory Library that addresses a theme relating to the Territory’s culture, history and development. It was first delivered in 1986 by then Administrator Commodore Eric Johnston.
- Past speakers have included;
- Sister Anne Gardiner, educator and 2017 Senior Australian of Year
- Professor Andrew Campbell, natural resource management academic
- Banduk Marika, artist
- Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice and Race Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission
- Sir Paul Hasluck, former Governor–General of Australia, historian, poet
Transcripts and recordings of former guest speakers can be found at https://ntl.nt.gov.au/eric-johnston-lecture.
The lecture is on Wednesday 12 September at the Northern Territory Library from 5:30-7:00pm.
Admission is free, bookings are essential via ntl.nt.gov.au.
ENDS
Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager 0447 130 495
