Brookes Oration

Each year the top two MBA Graduates are presented with the Brookes Medal.

The Deakin Graduate School of Business annually hosts the Brookes Oration, an event supported by Mr C H Brookes in honour of his father, Sir Wilfred Brookes. Sir Wilfred was the grandson of Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia, after whom Deakin University is named. Sir Wilfred continued the family's association with the University as Chairman of the Deakin University Foundation.

Sir Wilfred had a long and distinguished career in business and the corporate world. He worked with Australian Paper Manufacturers before the war, and on demobilisation he became a Director of a number of companies including Western Mining Corporation, Associated Pulp and Paper Mills, BH South, Broken Hill Associated Smelters and North Broken Hill Holdings, Alcoa of Australia, Perpetual Trustees and Colonial Mutual Life. He was decorated as a World War II veteran and contributed significantly to community life through his work with the Institute of Public Affairs, the Liberal Party, the Edward Wilson Trust and the Corps of Commissionaires. Among his many community roles, he made a significant contribution to Deakin University.

The Brookes Oration was established by the Deakin Graduate School of Business to encourage thoughtful debate about the contribution of corporate Australia in the global community.