February 2017

Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Newsletter

atthe BMI

4 March 2017 7pm - 1am

Twilight TalksFridays at 5pm from Feb 17 Humffray Room$10 / $6 BMI membersDrinks & nibbles upon arrival

Twilight talks are back for 2017, and the lineup for the first season of the year is packed with incredible stories and characters. Get some friends together to spend a

Friday evening in great company and enjoy an enthralling talk from a local identity. See the back page for the full program of speakers

Ballarat is set to show off its nocturnal side as international arts phenomenon White Night comes to Ballarat for the first time. From dusk to dawn on the evening of March 4, Ballarat’s CBD will be filled with all manner of artistic displays, and the BMI certainly won’t be left out of the action!

From 7pm upstairs in the Humffray Room, enjoy free live performance from Ballarat artists, with visuals of historic Ballarat from the BMI collection and artworks by Ellen Sørensen. Delicious drinks and tasty treats will be for sale in magical surrounds under the auspices of Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts.

Between 7pm and 1am enjoy DJ Bren Luke, improvised theatre, music and dance courtesy of Jam’n JAR and The Winter Berries’ soundtrack to the night with their classical/pop blend featuring female vocal harmonies, strings and hauntingly beautiful guitar.

Then at midnight, it’s the premiere of The Night ReVerses, a unique two-man show performed by poet Nathan Curnow and singer songwriter Geoffrey Williams (left), bringing

together poetry and lyrics, spoken word and song, the rhythm of the line and the groove of the beat, remixing carefully constructed poems into a live music improvisation.

Come join the fun in our certified ‘place of amusement’!

1. A Busy Year AheadWe are looking forward some great events this year, they include White Night on Saturday 4 March, the Ballarat Heritage Month of May and the International Foto Biennale in August/September. As well, following the wonderful work with the Max Harris Photographic Collection that Amy Tsilemanis commenced in 2016, we are planning to extend our Library offerings by adding a ‘Treasurers of Ballarat’ section of publications and photographs about Ballarat and its history. Located in the area between the Library desk and Board Room, we have a section for the use of BMI members that includes both the latest Ballarat publications available for sale and a collection for reading and reference. Rex Bridges, Rosemary McInerney and myself along with Library Committee members are working on this project. Any donations to the BMI of books/photographs would be appreciated. See Rex or Rosemary for details.

2. Twilight TalksThis year’s talks commence on Friday 17 February in the Humffray Room with a talk based on Sovereign Hill’s history. As in past years, members ($6) and visitors ($10) are able to arrive from 5pm. The talks commence at 5.30pm and usually take approximately 40 to 45 minutes including questions. Once again we have a very strong program of speakers and details are in this newsletter. The talks are a strong feature of the BMI and I urge all members to consider attending and

also encouraging their friends to come. This year Dr Joan Hunt is coordinating the talks.

3. Planning Day – Sunday 19 February 2017Previously this Strategic Planning Day was advertised for 12 February but we have changed it to the following Sunday 19 February. Our BMI Board Planning Group, Wendy Graham (Chair), Dr Jessie Harman and Mike Stephens, have an item in this Newsletter with details about the day.

4. Basement ClosureUnfortunately due to safety issues our basement is still closed to general access. The Building Committee is undertaking investigations and has employed a mining engineer for advice about water related issues. We will keep members informed about progress in this area.

All the best for 2017Phil Roberts

News from the President

Recommended Reads

Dark Water Robert Byrndza

Beneath the water the body sank rapidly – Detective Erica Foster receives a tip-off that key evidence for a major narcotics case was stashed in a disused quarry on the outskirts of London: she orders it to be searched.From the thick sludge the drugs are recovered, but so is the skeleton of a young child.

CommonwealthAnn Patchett

Spanning five decades, Commonwealth explores the lives of four parents and six children.Told with equal measures of humour and heartbreak, Commonwealth is a meditation on inspiration, interpretation and the ownership of stories. It is a brilliant and tender tale of the far reaching ties of love and responsibility that bind us together.

Sapphire FallsFleur McDonald

Fiona Forrest is devastated when her husband Charlie commits suicide after the accidental shooting of his mate, Eddie. Though Fiona decides to keep farming their successful property, rumours that she intends to sell keep circulating.

MYSTERYThe Missing One | Lucy AtkinsThe Other Girl | Lucy Atkins

No Man’s Land | David BaldacciDark Water | Robert Bryndza

Night School | Lee ChildWhat They Knew | Averil Dean

Order To Kill | Vince Flynn / Kyle MillsTriple Crown | Felix FrancisThe Case Against William |

Mark GimenezSmoke & Mirrors | Elly GriffithsThe Blood Card | Elly Griffiths

One Under | Cynthia Harrod EaglesThe Mistletoe Murder | P.D.JamesCross the Line | James Patterson

The Devil | Ian RankinEvery Dark Corner | Karen Rose

The Bone Collection | Kathy ReichsInk and Bone | Lisa Unger

NOVELOnce In Every Life | Kristin Hannah

Leaving Blythe River | Catherine Ryan HydeThe Bertie Project |

Alexander McCall SmithParis For One | Jo Jo Moyes

The Three Miss Allens | Victoria Purman

Miller’s Valley | Anna QuindlenThe Ice-cream Makers | Ernest Van der KwastCousins | Sally Vickers

LITERATUREHis Bloody Project |

Graeme Macrae BurnettCommonwealth | Ann Patchett

ROMANCESecrets of a Happy Marriage |

Cathy Kelly

AUSTRALIANThe Cloud Leopard’s Daughter |

Deborah ChallinorSignal Loss | Garry Disher

Sapphire Falls | Fleur McDonald Daintree | Annie Seaton

While the Moon Burns | Peter Watt

NON FICTIONSongs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut

The Memory Code | Lynne KellyFull Bore | William McInnes

Down the Dirt Roads | Rachael Treasure

SCANDINAVIANStone Coffin | Kjell Eriksson

New Releasesfor February Mark

Gimenez

Mark grew up in Galveston County. He has a BA in political science with honors, and attended Notre Dame Law School. Mark practiced law with a Dallas law firm. He now lives in Fort Worth with his wife and 2 sons.

Full Bore William McInnes

William McInnes, one of Australia’s best-loved entertainers and authors, takes a look at the Aussie obsession with sports and pop culture. William’s trademark humour and anecdotes will make you cringe with recognition and laugh with warm affection.

Authorof the month

Bookof the month

Minerva Speaks Minerva Speaks to the people with stories and poems by local writers.

Board Planning DayThe Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute Board is holding a planning day on Sunday 19th February to review its current Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

Prior to the Board planning session the Chairs of each of the Committees, Terry Lloyd (Library) Andrew Miller (Building) Grantley Hastings (Finance) and Wendy Graham (Marketing) will consult with their respective members to ensure

representative views are offered into the planning day’s discussions.

The time given to reviewing where we are currently in the implementation of this Strategic Plan will also enable us to give careful consideration to the future development and growth of our organisation to ensure we are viable and sustainable.

Wendy GrahamChair, Marketing Committee

Introducing...Deb Meyers - BMI Volunteer

“I have always been interested in local Ballarat history, and I feel the time is right now for me

to become involved in our wonderful Mechanics’ Institute. I look forward to gaining more

knowledge on our wonderful history!”

Simon ShieldsDean GerrardAnne DoggettAnthony Cree

Pauline FergusonMargaret Craig

Stephanie De BoerJan Snell

Geoff George

Barbara HughesJill MorganDavid Reid

Careen KeyteRon Selkirk

Mary AdriaansBruce Price

Susie SurteesWayne Murray

New MembersWelcome on board

Gordon WilliamsonLynette McClenaghan

Susan and John Calistro

The BMI community congratulates Phil Roberts on receiving an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day for his many years of

service to the Ballarat community. Well done Phil!

March 10, 17 & 24 at 8pm

Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute117 Sturt St Ballarat, Vic 3350www.ballaratmi.org.auP: (03) 5331 3042e: library@ballaratmi.org.au

Library hours:Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pmSaturday: 9:30am - 12pm

For venue hire enquiriese: bookings@ballaratmi.org.auP: 0419 677 713

Small Acts of Love

A National Symposium on Dementia & Love

13 – 15 FEBRUARY 2017 BALLAARAT MECHANICS’

INSTITUTE Come and explore love as a common ground we all share, and help us in understanding its importance in shifting the focus from dementia as a disease, to recognising the personhood of someone living with dementia.

Symposium delegates will be guided through an understanding of the significance of how small acts of love can transform the lives of people with dementia, their families and those working in the sector. Developed to equip service providers with a practical Tool Kit of resources that can be taken to educate their colleagues or the wider community, this Symposium presents an evidence base on dementia and love.

It draws on the National Framework for Action on Dementia and the Guide to Creating a Dementia-Friendly Community, developed by Alzheimer’s Australia, and engages participants in understanding how these documents can be enacted in their service or community. More Information: ballaratmi.org.au/arts-events/events

Dr Joan Hunt, Twilight Talks Coordinator

17 February: Serena Ioannucci, Manager Mine Operations at Sovereign Hill, will speak on “If Only This Hill Could Talk”. Using images from the 1970s, both before and after the gold-mining museum was established, Serena will reveal fascinating details about how Sovereign Hill has built on the mining past to create a thriving modern Ballarat tourism business.

24 February: Doug Bradby, is a retired history teacher with 30 years experience at Ballarat secondary schools, and author of seven history books for adolescents. Doug will entertain and amaze you with stories he uncovered writing his recently published ‘Sail or Steam: the incredibly dangerous and seriously weird race to the goldfields’.

3 March: Jenny Burrell, committee member of the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society and retired primary school teacher, will demonstrate ‘The Home Front, Ballarat World War I’ project (www.ballaratww1.org.au) that won the Centenary of WWI Award section of the Victorian Community History Awards 2016. The impressive online database comprises biographies of over 2500 individuals from Ballarat and district.

10 March: Peter Gilbert, whose family were associated with the printing industry in Ballarat has spoken to the Ballarat Historical Society on the topic of ‘A Family Odyssey – Ballarat Printing’, and has agreed to share his research story at this Twilight Talk, part of which is a display of his collection of posters, documents, booklets and other print items.

17 March: Barb Dunlop, associated for many years with the Royal South Street Competitions, in celebration of the 125th anniversary, will share her entertaining reminiscences as a judge and supporter with the young and not-so-young aspiring singers, musicians, thespians and dancers - and other performers of unusual presentation.

24 March: John Hosking, retired Mining Engineer of Cornish origins, and long-time BMI member, dabbles in what academics would term ‘shallow poetry’. Following a previous presentation “What’s So Funny”, John will reprise some old with some new humorous verses along with more serious, thought provoking and possibly shocking pieces of verse which he is calling “Not quite so funny” but it is bound to start and end in a laugh.

31 March: Justine Linley, CEO of Ballarat City Council, will speak about ‘The Future of the City of Ballarat’, sharing her vision of the city’s potential development. Justine has held the executive position for twelve months, and will have many inspirational ideas for her audience to consider and discuss.

7 April: Bill Garner, local historian of Mount Pleasant, has for some years been collecting historical information relating to a part of Ballarat that can be documented from the squatting era, through the trundling of trams along Barkly Street, to the leafy and comfortable suburb of the present. He will share his many fascinating discoveries.

21 April: Dr Jill Blee, historian and author, whose books include children’s literature, local histories, and fiction, has recently published a history of Cuthbert’s, the Ballarat firm of solicitors that has a long connection with the development of our great city. The company has produced a beautiful publication that Jill will share with us.

Twilight TalksSeries One 2017 (see front page for details)