BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250403T040834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250624T020208Z UID:64256-1750874400-1750879800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Kylie Ladd | This event has now been CANCELLED DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kylie-ladd/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/kylie-ladd-promo-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250604T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250604T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250307T025149Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T051907Z UID:62519-1749060000-1749065400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Gail Holmes DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/gail-holmes/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sq-promo-gail-holmes-final.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250603T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250701T150000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250113T050930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T053004Z UID:61155-1748959200-1751382000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Series DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-may-jun-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250531T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T140000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250409T000912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250409T012549Z UID:64380-1748685600-1748786400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Winter Book Sale | Stockpile your winter reading DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-sale-june-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Culture,Fundraiser,Library,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-sale-winter-sq-promo-pexels-clem-onojeghuo-375892-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250313T021402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013932Z UID:62648-1748455200-1748460600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Nicole Alexander DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/nicole-alexander/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sq-promo-nicole-alexander.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T122000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250417T024436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250507T035052Z UID:64583-1748080800-1748089200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Mary Poppins DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-mary-poppins/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promos-mary-poppins.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T203000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T224500 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250417T020931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T060211Z UID:64570-1748032200-1748040300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Chinatown DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-chinatown/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promos-chinatown2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T201500 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250409T021703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T060122Z UID:64409-1748025000-1748031300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Blazing Saddles DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-blazing-saddles/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/blazing-saddles-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250317T031650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070359Z UID:62934-1747825200-1747828800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 3 DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest-3/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T150000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250113T050453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070422Z UID:61152-1747749600-1747753200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 2 DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250317T030244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070405Z UID:62929-1747738800-1747742400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 1 DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest-1/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T213000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T223000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250210T012647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T003042Z UID:61846-1747603800-1747607400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-18-may-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T203000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250210T002829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T223444Z UID:61827-1747596600-1747600200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-18-may-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T213000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T223000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250210T001340Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T222405Z UID:61817-1747431000-1747434600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-16-may-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T203000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250210T002600Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T222312Z UID:61825-1747423800-1747427400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-16-may-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250304T015324Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T024750Z UID:62426-1747245600-1747251000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Darcy Tindale DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/darcy-tindale/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/darcy-tindale-sq-promp.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250507T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250507T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250401T040022Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T010026Z UID:64144-1746640800-1746646200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/mimi-kwa/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promo-mimi-kwa-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250501T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250501T200000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20241204T012140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T031044Z UID:60465-1746122400-1746129600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Natasha Lester DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/natasha-lester/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/sq-promo-natasha-lester-1-may.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250430T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250430T183000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250108T020658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113126Z UID:60981-1746034200-1746037800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2\, Special Event | The Life of Walter Withers DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-life-of-walter-withers/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-david-rathgen-final.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250429T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250429T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250218T012450Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T045401Z UID:62175-1745949600-1745955000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Shelley Burr DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/shelley-burr/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/square-promo-shelley-burr.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250425T213000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250425T223000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250120T004138Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T003145Z UID:61339-1745616600-1745620200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Australian Heritage Festival\, Tour 2 DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-ahf-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250425T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250425T203000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250120T002601Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T003154Z UID:61331-1745609400-1745613000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Australian Heritage Festival\, This Tour is now Fully Booked DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-ahf-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250423T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250423T183000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20241219T044445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113134Z UID:60830-1745429400-1745433000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: Feeling the Battlefield Spirits DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stories-of-the-somme/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/square-promo-individuals-spirits.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250422T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250513T150000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250113T045602Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T015148Z UID:61150-1745330400-1747148400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Australian Heritage Festival DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-aust-heritage-fest/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250416T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250416T183000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20241219T044531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113132Z UID:60832-1744824600-1744828200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: Medals and Memorabilia DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/medals-and-memorabilia/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/square-promo-individuals-medals-memoribilia.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250415T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250415T150000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250106T033654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T230249Z UID:60933-1744725600-1744729200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Series DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-jan-jun-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T200000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250318T005938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013240Z UID:62939-1744225200-1744228800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Ali Lowe & Vanessa McCausland DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ali-lowe-vanessa-mccausland/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/promo-ali-vanessa.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T183000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20241219T040512Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113137Z UID:60826-1744219800-1744223400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: War Grieving - Doctor's Perspective DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/war-grieving-doctors-perspective/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/square-promo-war-grieving-doctors.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250402T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250402T183000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20241219T035224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113140Z UID:60820-1743615000-1743618600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2 | Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective: Dr Hardy DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/dr-hardy/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dr-hard-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250401T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250401T193000 DTSTAMP:20260620T024251 CREATED:20250218T050634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T044951Z UID:62217-1743530400-1743535800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mark Smith DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n July 9\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Broke Road \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Matthew Spencer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Murder at home – A community on edge – Someone is watching. \n \n ‘A tightly plotted\, fast moving\, beautifully written whodunnit’ – Jane Caro \n \n ‘Enthralling\, Matthew Spencer nails it’ – Chris Hammer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n From the bestselling author of Black River. This July sees the release of Broke Road. Perfect for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer\, this gripping mystery unravels a string of unexplained murders set against the haunting backdrop of the Hunter Valley. Broke Road was inspired by a conversation Matthew Spencer had with a forensic pathologist\, exploring the complexities and chilling realities of what it would take to commit the perfect murder. \n \n A late-night phone call is never good news for Homicide Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. This time she’s being sent up to the Hunter Valley. A young woman found dead in her new townhouse in Hunter Valley wine country. No forced entry\, no signs of struggle. The victim’s husband is a mining geologist\, and there’s a hole in his alibi. Detective Rose Riley unearths undercurrents of discontent between the coal industry andgrape growers in the district. Forensic evidence leads to two unsolved cases—two morewomen dead in their homes\, hundreds of kilometres apart—and Riley fears she’s looking at akiller on a spree. Broke Road combines place and pace with expertise as we follow Detective Rose Riley andJournalist turned true-crime writer Adam Bowman race through a gripping police procedural you won’t be able to put down. \n \n \n Broke Road | Matthew Spencer\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Matthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years\, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers\, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife\, Ritu Gupta\, and their three children. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is part of Ballarat Winter Festival \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/mark-smith/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sq-promo-mark-smith.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR