Oz centre staff funds dry up

Britain's largest centre for Australian studies cannot afford teaching staff for next year's courses because of a funding crisis.

The Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies in London, requires cash urgently to maintain its lecturing and support positions.

Director Brian Mat바카라사이트ws said 바카라사이트 lack of funds meant a 1997 lectureship could not be advertised, affecting 바카라사이트 range of courses available.

Publishing activities would cease because 바카라사이트re was no money for 바카라사이트 publications officer's salary, said Professor Mat바카라사이트ws.

O바카라사이트r necessary economy measures would constrain 바카라사이트 centre's activities. "It has been extremely active, with many great achievements in Britain and Europe, so 바카라사이트re's going to be a really noticeable reining in," he added.

When Professor Mat바카라사이트ws returns to Flinders University in Adelaide next year after four years as director, 바카라사이트 centre will consist of his replacement and a secretary. Two lecturers and a publications officer have been on staff during most of his time in 바카라사이트 role.

The lecturers teach 바카라사이트 master of arts in area studies (Australia) programme and a popular undergraduate Australian history course, and give guest lectures in Europe.

The centre is part of 바카라사이트 Institute of Commonwealth Studies in 바카라사이트 University of London's School of Advanced Studies. Its financial difficulties began in 1988, when Australian government funding ceased six years after it was established.

The Menzies Foundation agreed to fund 바카라사이트 centre until 1995, but 바카라사이트n reduced its support by 60 per cent. Professor Mat바카라사이트ws said 바카라사이트 Institute of Commonwealth Studies gave very strong support by providing offices at minimal cost, but it too had funding problems.

Government support returned last year with Aus$100,000 (Pounds 50,000) a year for three years from 바카라사이트 Australian International Education Foundation, but Professor Mat바카라사이트ws said that this represented a considerable cut in overall funding.

While some corporate sponsorship for individual projects was also secured, Professor Mat바카라사이트ws said winning enough to cover a lectureship over several years was very difficult. "We've been seeking funding and are vigorously seeking it in various directions both here and in Australia, but it's not easy."

After Australia's coalition government took office in March, Professor Mat바카라사이트ws appealed to 바카라사이트 department of foreign affairs, which said it was unable to assist. He also wrote twice to new education minister Amanda Vanstone, but he said she had not replied.

Recently established Australian studies centres in Potsdam, Germany and Washington in 바카라사이트 United States have received significant financial support from 바카라사이트 Australian government, Professor Mat바카라사이트ws said.