Social researcher, Mr Hugh Mackay will take his dialogue with the Australian society directly to regional NSW next week when he delivers Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) 2010 William Merrylees Memorial Lecture.

 

What Makes us Tick? The Ten Desires that Drive us is the title of the free, public lecture by Mr Mackay in Wagga Wagga from 6pm on Monday 15 November.

 

It is also the title of his latest book published by Hachette in October 2010.

 

Mr Mackay is a psychologist, author of 13 books and regular social commentator in newspapers and on radio and television. He is a founder of the St James Ethics Centre based in Sydney and was awarded honorary doctorates from CSU, the University of NSW and Macquarie University.

 

In addition, Mr Mackay is an Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics - a project of the Australian National University, CSU and the University of Melbourne.

 

The William Merrylees Memorial Lecture series began in 1984 in honour of the late academic, philosopher, lobbyist and farmer from the Riverina region of NSW, Dr William Merrylees. In the 1950s, Dr Merrylees founded the Riverine University League and campaigned tirelessly over the next 17 years for a multi campus university in rural Australia. 

The Riverina College of Advanced Education, one of CSU’s predecessor institutions, was established in 1971. The League was disbanded in 1981 on the condition its funds be used to support a public lecture series.  

 

"The establishment of Charles Sturt University owes much to the vision and drive of Dr Merrylees,” CSU lecturer Dr Nancy Blacklow said. “He worked tirelessly producing pamphlets and articles, making speeches and putting submissions to governments on the case for a rural university. There is little doubt that his efforts for the provision of tertiary education opportunities in the region played a major part in the establishment of the Riverina College of Advanced Education."

 

Dr Merrylees died in 1969. CSU named its library in Wagga Wagga in honour of Dr Merrylees in 1981 in recognition of his work 'towards the establishment of an institution of higher education in the Riverina'.

 

The 2010 William Merrylees Memorial Lecture will be held from 6pm in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga. CSU wine and cheese will be served after the lecture. RSVP to Ms Karen Jamieson on 02 6933 2221 or send an email.