Our history
The Page Research Centre Limited was established in 2002 to
take over the responsibilities of the Sir Earle Page Memorial Trust.
The trust operated from 1984, with a focus on researching rural and regional affairs and having an educative role within the community. Most notable, was a series of speeches organised by the trust and delivered by prominent Australians on issues relevant to the day. Copies of these speeches have been kept as many of the questions and ideas that were raised are still relevant.
Since 2002 the centre has taken on and developed the work of the trust, branching out into several new areas.
Research fellows at the centre continue to explore issues of prominence in regional Australia. Their findings are used to develop advice on policy that can be delivered to the top echelons of the Commonwealth Government.
In 2005 a telecommunications paper published by the centre provided stimulus for a national debate on the need to improve broadband access in rural and regional areas.
The Page water plan, also published in 2005, influenced a number of local governments to change their water policies.
In 2007 the centre embarked on a new line of work—to preserve the history of the National Party and its precursors. This was the beginning of the Page Research Centre Library. The centre has acquired a range of documents, diaries, memos, newspaper articles, photos and tapes. These resources are made available to researchers interested in the history of regional politics in Australia.
To learn more about the life of Sir Earle Page and the contribution he made to regional Australia, click here.
To learn more about the Sir Earle Page Memorial Trust, the precursor to the Page Research Centre, click here.