Timeline.

Key dates from the scholarship’s history and from Menzies and universities, in one list. Those pages have the full story and the sources.

Sir Robert Menzies

1894
Robert Gordon Menzies is born at Jeparit, in country Victoria.
1907
He tops the State scholarship examination at Ballarat’s Humffray Street State School.
1913
He enrols in law at the University of Melbourne.
1916
He graduates Bachelor of Laws with first-class honours, and Master of Laws in 1918.
1942
In his radio talks, including “The Forgotten People”, education is a recurring theme.

1950–51
The Commonwealth begins a scheme of grants to the States for their universities.
1951
The Commonwealth Scholarship Regulations take effect from 1 January.
1956
Menzies asks Sir Keith Murray to lead an inquiry into the future of Australian universities.
1957
The Committee on Australian Universities reports in September.
1958
Menzies introduces a bill to give effect to the Murray Committee’s proposals.
1959
Parliament establishes the Australian Universities Commission.
1960
Menzies tells the House of the Commission’s first report.
1964
The Martin Report on tertiary education recommends a “binary” system of universities and colleges of advanced education.
1966
Menzies retires.

1967
The Harvard Club of Australia inaugurates the R.G. Menzies Scholarship to Harvard in his honour, with the Australian National University administering it. Menzies becomes Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, serving until 1972.
1968
The first Menzies Scholar, Lionel Glendenning, goes to the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
1978
Sir Robert Menzies dies.
2012
The Club establishes the Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship for senior Australian public servants.
2026
The 2026 scholars are named, bringing the total to 103.

For the people and policies behind these dates, read History and Menzies and universities.