Last months Summary:

Name: Current Affairs Dialogue | Discussion Group | NOW POSTPONED
Start: 2022-11-24T13:30:00+11:00
End: 2022-11-24T15:00:00+11:00
Location: Soldiers Hill CBD | Pop-up

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!

The Process:

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.

Dates, place & format:

A light-touch, flexible structure is proposed to launch the initiative. Program and practice will evolve in line with participant consensus. Meetings will be in the Reading Room. We will start meetings with a cuppa and welcome/introduction of new participants. Intention is to meet on the last THURSDAY of each month February through November. Topics will be nominated by agreement of participants a month ahead. Participants will be encouraged to identify

insightful written and spoken media pieces that they encounter pertinent to the coming sessions topic, to reference or share these pieces with other participants in advance of the next meeting where appropriate – in other words, do some purposeful and, hopefully, stimulating reading, listening and thinking before each meeting. Subject to participants’ agreement, contact details will be shared. Mark Potter, BMI Cultural Development & Services Manager will provide communications assistance and follow-up. Frank Hurley, former President and Patron of the BMI will act as convenor/ facilitator for the first few meetings. The idea is that this role be rotated among participants as CAD at the BMI finds its feet.

Some sample current issues to set us thinking…

Below is a selection of substantial, wide-ranging current issues some or all of which might be a meeting focus over coming months. Indicatively, the discussion framework for a topic would be to look at and discuss ( order depending on the topic)

Discussion framework:

how did the issue arise, what are its roots/background/history,
what is the situation as it stands,
how might it unfold/ effect change in its own, locale, at national and global levels.; what significance for us.

Suggested topics:

The troubled (Dis)United States: Roe V Wade overturn, guns, continuing fall-out from 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. ( N.B. It is proposed to make this the topic to get us started at the first meeting on Thursday 28 July)
Russia’s ongoing military attack on Ukraine
The pervasive “Culture “ problem: bad behaviour in Parliament House, football clubs, corporations like Crown and Star Casinos , banks etc. etc.
Census 2021: What has changed ? Will keep changing? Advance Australia Where?
Problems and possibilities of our town: Bakery Hill/Bridge Mall proposals, hollowing out of the CBD, Fed Uni’s announced vacating of Lydiard/Camp St buildings complex, all those Council “strategy” plans
Your suggestions?

If this outline engages your interest, come along. Help make this initiative a success. Spread the word among friends you think would be interested. Looking forward to a good representation BMI members and supporters gathering in The Reading Room for the inaugural CAD at the BMI on Thursday 28 July at 1 p.m.

Enquires to:

Mark Potter at the BMI on most Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tel: 0439 141722; email: mark@ballaratmi.org.au or complete the Expression of Interest below.

This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

The Royal South Street Society | A BMI Community Partner | 2025 Countpro Showcase

18/09/2025 No Comments

Sunday 26 October at 5.30pm Her Majesty’s Ballarat Join the Royal South Street Society for a night to celebrate the standout stars, unforgettable moments and peak performances of the 2025 Royal South Street Society season of events. Dance, Calisthenics, Vocal, Piano, Speech and Drama, Debating, All Abilities, Choral and Instrumental. Tickets available from Her Majesty’s Ballarat. Tickets: $40 adult, $35 Concession. Get Tickets Royal South Street Society Royal South Street Society are a BMI Community Partner Find out more about BMI

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

15/09/2025 No Comments

Boney Creek Paula Gleeson Don’t miss Paula at the BMI on Thursday 25 September at 6.30pm. When several small-town locals die under mysterious circumstances, an aspiring journalist is determined to prove the connection between them, only to discover the dangerous secrets they left behind. Boney Creek is a dying town where not a lot happens. The perfect solution for married couple Addie and Toby who are escaping their own personal tragedy. But a quiet and simple life is not exactly

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

08/09/2025 No Comments

The Florentine Quilt Chrissie Bellbrae Don’t miss Chrissie at the BMI on Thursday 18 September at 6pm. ‘Three women connected in time to a medieval quilt and an ancient tale of forbidden love.’ Australian textile conservator, Theodora Harris, is grieving her grandmother’s death when offered an internship to restore a medieval quilt depicting a legend steeped in Celtic folklore. But while the hero Tristan is lauded in the design, his true love, Isolde’s story is missing. As each scene is

Rosemary’s Book of the Week

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Saving Dragons: The Life and Times of Russell Goldfield (Louey Yeung Man) Jack Dainne Dempsey Don’t miss Dianne at the BMI for Twilight Talks on Wednesday 17 September at 5.30pm. Russell Jack, the visionary founder of the internationally renowned Golden Dragon Museum, spent his life breaking barriers and preserving the history of the Chinese Australian community. Growing up in the shadow of the White Australia Policy, he turned adversity into strength, using the vibrant traditions of Chinese dragon processions as a

A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | September 2025

25/08/2025 No Comments

The Little Brass Band – Fundraiser Looking back to the month that was, firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to The Little Brass Band for all their generosity in delivering Cheers – Raise a Glass for Brass, the recent fundraiser for the BMI held on August 10th. The Minerva Room was the perfect setting for two wonderful sets of music arranged for brass, with the bar available to purchase a drink to accompany complimentary snacks. Thanks