Now in his mid nineties, Professor Geoffrey Blainey – Australia’s most significant and popular historian is listed by the National Trust as a ‘Living National Treasure’.

From humble beginnings as the son of a Methodist Minister and school teacher, one of five children, he enjoyed a childhood spent in rural Victoria, from Terang to Leongatha, Geelong to Ballarat. From a young age these places ignited for Blainey a great affection for the Australian landscape, and a deep curiosity in Australia’s history. He longed to travel, and would climb atop the roof of their home in Burnbank Street to stare out at the Great Dividing Range and imagine the world beyond.

His mother created gardens wherever they went and had literary ambitions of her own; his father spent more on books than he could afford. Blainey’s devotion to the Geelong Football Club began in Newtown, Geelong, from where he’d watch his team play at Corio oval; and as a newsboy he developed an early interest in current affairs, following the dramas and triumphs of the Second World War and the political careers of local identities John Curtin and Robert Menzies. With a burning desire to see Sydney but barely a penny to his name, he hitched there with a schoolfriend to see the harbour that greeted the First Fleet, and visited the national theatre of Parliament House on the way home to see Billy Hughes, JT Lang, Arty Fadden, Arthur Calwell, Enid Lyons and in action.

The course of Blainey’s life changed when he was awarded a scholarship to board at Wesley College in Melbourne – an opportunity that instilled in him a great love of learning, under the tutelage of a group of inspiring teachers. This flourished further at the University of Melbourne, first as a wide-eyed student at Queen’s College and later as a professor of history. Hours spent at Melbourne’s State Library as a student poring over the country’s old newspapers cemented his calling to become a professional historian. He and Manning Clark were great friends, and both sat on the Board of the Australian Council for the Arts when Blainey was Chairman.

Now the author of over forty books, Geoffrey Blainey thinks he has discovered Australia’s history his own way – and is still learning. Blainey has always been compelled to visit the places of our historical interest, including places of archaeological and Indigenous significance.

We are delighted to welcome Professor Blainey back to historical Ballarat to speak at the BMI, the precursor to University of Ballarat, now Federation University where Professor Blainey was the Foundation Chancellor from 1994 – 1998.