Manning Clark AC (1915 - 1991)
1980 Award

Historian

Clark's famous six-volume A History of Australia was published between 1962 and 1987. Its apocalyptic narrative explores the human, rather than the economic, forces which shaped Australia. Clark wrote with a moral passion and a sense of high drama far from the customary assumed detachment of conventional academics. This work attracted unprecedented interest and controversy but whatever its flaws, it prompted many Australians to explore their own history.

Clark was delighted with his Australian of the Year award, characteristically locating it in a sweeping moral drama by saying: 'At a time when the pursuit of wealth once again infests the ancient continent of Australia, you choose a man who believes passionately that Australians can create a society where all people can take their place at the banquet of life.' But his passionate belief in the creation of a national sentiment, of an indigenous culture and an independent Australia led him to express an unease with the concept of such awards: 'They are a bit divisive...they come from a society where honours are handed out but which is not our society.'