Cambodian King's archive donated to library

The Monash University Library has been presented with a substantial portion of the former King of Cambodia's personal archives. It is the first time a head of state has made a donation of this type to the university.

His Majesty, King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk 81, retired in October 2004, in favour of his 51 year old son Prince Norodom Sihamoni – a former ballet dancer and cultural diplomat.

King Sihanouk's generous donation was celebrated at a special function at the Sir Louis Matheson Library at Clayton campus this week attended by the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia's ambassador to Australia , His Excellency Mr Meas Kim Heng.

The donation was facilitated by Mr Julio Jeldres, King Sihanouk's official biographer, and Emeritus Professor David Chandler, a former Professor of History and now a research fellow at the Monash Asia Institute, who is regarded as one of the foremost western scholars of Cambodia's modern history.

"The material so generously presented by His Majesty contains invaluable memorabilia and documentation from Sihanouk's life-long involvement with Cambodia and the wider world," Professor Chandler said.

"The gift includes rare photographs and archival footage as well as fascinating materials in several media that testify to Sihanouk's wide range of talents – as a musician, a writer, a movie-maker and most importantly, as the man who led his country to independence and has served it tirelessly for over 60 years."

The materials will be housed in the Norodom Sihanouk Archival Collection within the Monash University Library's Asian Studies Research Collection, which has significant research resources on countries from the region.

The Asian Studies Research Collection is strongly allied with Monash's Centre of Southeast Asia Studies founded in 1964 and internationally regarded for its range of teaching programs and research on Southeast Asia . Professor Chandler served as the centre's research director from 1979 to 1997.

Thanks to Monash Memo for permission to reproduce this article.

25 February 2005

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Front (seated): Royal Kingdom of Cambodia's ambassador to Australia , His Excellency Mr Meas Kim Heng.