Celebrating 60 Years of Australia–Singapore Friendship
Asian Civilisations Museum | 10 November 2025
As part of the 60 for 60 Project, the Australian High Commission is marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Singapore with a yearlong celebration of activities and events.
One of the 60 individuals recognised for their pivotal role in shaping the Australia–Singapore relationship is Professor James Warren of Murdoch University.
During the Fireside Chat at the Asian Civilisations Museum, jointly organised by the Culture Academy and Murdoch University, the Deputy High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms. Emily Follett, paid tribute to Professor Warren, stating:
“Special recognition was given to Professor James Warren, whose lifelong dedication to scholarship and cross-cultural engagement has enriched understanding across Southeast Asia. For over five decades, Professor Warren has championed the stories of ordinary people—voices often overlooked in history—and in doing so, has deepened our appreciation of this region’s complex social fabric.”
In an inspiring address, Professor Warren reflected on his remarkable six-decade journey as a historian – from his early experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia to his pioneering work on Southeast Asia’s social and environmental histories.
Through moving stories of “passing over” cultures and generations, he reminded us of the empathy, curiosity, and humanity that define great scholarship. His reflections illuminated how lived experience, cultural understanding, and academic inquiry together shape a lifetime of learning and bridge worlds.
Heartfelt congratulations once again to Professor James Warren for his extraordinary contributions to scholarship and for inspiring generations to view history through a deeply human lens.