David Walker will discuss his two histories examining Australia’s responses to rising Asia. Anxious Nation examines Australian responses to Asia from the 1850s down to the 1930s. His new book Stranded Nation picks up the story from the 1930s and takes it to the 1970s. The discussion will introduce a varied cast of historical figures with differing opinions on Australia’s place in the Asian region from those who harboured deep anxieties about the erosion of ‘white’ Australia, to those who encouraged closer engagement. It addresses a history of race, place and belonging in a world suddenly shaken and transformed by decolonisation and by British disengagement from its Empire as it turned towards Europe. The talk will touch upon the range of schemes that the Australian government introduced to position the country as an ‘Asia-friendly’ neighbour and the influence of Asian students and visitors in undermining the credibility and moral foundation of the ‘White Australia Policy’.

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