Three members met at the BMI on Thursday 29 September at 1.30 – 3.00 pm for the scheduled CAD session.
Several apologies received. Subject was the Ukraine situation.
Another stimulating discussion. It covered the centuries-old background to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, rooted as it is in break-up of past empires, various peace treaties, often contested and frequently shifting borders in Central Europe, ethnic and religious rivalries and struggles to retain or take-over fertile territory and strategic sea channels. ( Ballarat’s legacy district names like Sebastopol, Redan and many street names from the mid 1850s Crimean War were noted in this connection).
The claims and counter-claims for the current conflict to be seen as a Russian invasion, a defence against NATO encroachment, an economic war, a patriotic war, a nationalistic war and its potential to turn into a nuclear were discussed as were the conflict’s potential longer-term and wider effects on leadership, food supply, driving changes in reliance on fossil fuel energy as oil & gas supplies are used as bargaining chips, a retreat from globalisation as supply chains are threatened – all this and much more. You don’t know what you are missing!
1pm for 1.30pm start
Interested in current affairs? Welcome to a new initiative at the BMI designed for you.
Current Affairs Dialogue (CAD) at the BMI:
CAD will launch in The Reading Room 1-3 pm on Thursday 28 July 2022. CAD at the BMI is designed for members and friends who are interested in joining with similarly interested people as listeners and contributors in respectful, informed, analytic and interpretive conversations on issues of significant current public interest. The goal is to have all participants enjoy stimulating discussion and to leave CAD at the BMI sessions feeling their horizons have been extended and their understanding of current affairs deepened.
This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution
What a joy it was to have Dervla McTiernan welcomed by a packed house in the Minerva Space last night. Thank you to Lauren, The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, Julie Stevens and her team at Ballarat Libraries Lexie Jeuniewic, Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard, Geradine Christou & Marilyn Furness and her amazing
Hello everyone. Well things are certainly heating up at the BMI as Ballarat weather cools down. There’s no excuse to be caught out in the cold though, as our welcoming and warm surroundings provide the perfect venue for a variable feast of information and entertainment over the next couple of months. To backtrack a little,
In this issue: Rosemary’s Library New Releases and Recommendations | Message from the Chair | Shindig Success | Annual Appeal | Author Talks | Australian Heritage Festival | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Twilight Talks | Vegas 70 | Live Comedy | Live Gigs | Alfredton Rotary Fundraiser
Sanctuary Garry Disher. Grace is a master thief, specialising in valuable stamps, watches and jewellery. She never stays long in one place, so when she’s recognised at a Brisbane stamp expo, she must go on the run again. But she’d like a shot at a normal life, and settles in the Adelaide Hills, where she
Has Anyone Seen Charoltte Salter? Nicci French. 1990When beautiful and vivacious Charlotte Salter fails to turn up to her husband Alec’s fiftieth birthday party, her children are worried, but Alec is not. As the days pass, Etty, Niall, Paul and Ollie all struggle to come to terms with theirmother’s disappearance. How can anyone just vanish without
As part of our events for the Australian Heritage Festival, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is delighted to be screening the documentary The Lost City Of Melbourne with a live conversation with director and producer Gus Berger. Berger’s film documents some of the many grand theatres, cinemas and buildings across ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ which were obliterated at
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
