BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.18//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:20230401T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20230930T160000 END:DAYLIGHT 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:20250708T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250708T163000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250523T031147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T030941Z UID:65105-1751986800-1751992200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Author Talk | J.S. Davidson 'Hunted' & 'Tethered' | Now CANCELLED DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/hunted-tethered-davidson/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Ballarat Winter Festival,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promos-davidson-h-t.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 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:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250307T025149Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T051907Z UID:62519-1749060000-1749065400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Gail Holmes DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20250528T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250313T021402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013932Z UID:62648-1748455200-1748460600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Nicole Alexander DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20250514T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250304T015324Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T024750Z UID:62426-1747245600-1747251000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Darcy Tindale DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250401T040022Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T010026Z UID:64144-1746640800-1746646200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20250504T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250504T160000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250403T014922Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T003645Z UID:64247-1746367200-1746374400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:E A Gleeson\, Book Launch - The Deepest Thing: A Poetic Memoir DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/anne-gleeson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promo-anne-gleeson-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250501T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250501T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20241204T012140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T031044Z UID:60465-1746122400-1746129600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Natasha Lester DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20260407T203442 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:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250218T012450Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T045401Z UID:62175-1745949600-1745955000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Shelley Burr DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20250409T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250318T005938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013240Z UID:62939-1744225200-1744228800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Ali Lowe & Vanessa McCausland DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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:20250401T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250401T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250218T050634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T044951Z UID:62217-1743530400-1743535800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mark Smith DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250324T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250324T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250213T025304Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T051403Z UID:62065-1742839200-1742844600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Charlotte McConaghy DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/charlotte-mcconaghy/ 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/charlotte-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250319T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250319T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20241219T033900Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113146Z UID:60810-1742405400-1742409000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1 | Ballarat's Changing Scene - Change in Ballarat's Car Industry DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/ballarats-car-industry/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ballarats-car-industry.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250108T015354Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113129Z UID:60976-1740591000-1740594600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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-atauro-timor-leste/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-dancers-on-the-sea.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250225T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203442 CREATED:20250109T010836Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160554Z UID:61027-1740506400-1740513600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Megan Brown & Lucy Sussex DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/megan-brown-lucy-sussex/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-megan-brown.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T193000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20241202T031650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160628Z UID:60438-1739901600-1739907000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Jane Cafarella DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/jane-cafarella/ 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/2024/12/jane-cafarella-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240924T031552Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211055Z UID:58976-1732728600-1732732200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat Notoriety DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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-uncovering-the-past-4/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-john-smyth.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240924T024501Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211058Z UID:58970-1732123800-1732127400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: How James became King DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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-uncovering-the-past-3/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-brian-omalley.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T160000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20241002T020132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211624Z UID:59146-1731769200-1731772800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat: Travel Writing | Adriane Howell and Favel Parrett in conversation with Fiona Sweet. DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/stella-day-out-2/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/stella-square-travel2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T140000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240801T232909Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211637Z UID:57891-1731762000-1731765600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat: Writing about the Future | Kate Mildenhall in conversation with Van Badham DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/stella-day-out-1/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/stella-square-mildenhall.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240723T042221Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211640Z UID:57552-1731348000-1731355200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Tea Cooper DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/tea-cooper/ 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/2024/07/tea-cooper-promo-squre-final.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240723T055539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T023001Z UID:57574-1730311200-1730318400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Benjamin Stevenson DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/benjamin-stevenson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Comedy,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/benjamin-stevenson-promo-squre-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241026T160000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241026T173000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240925T023950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T222206Z UID:59022-1729958400-1729963800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with John Safran | Now moved to The George Hotel DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/john-safran/ LOCATION:The George Hotel\, 27 Lydiard Street North\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/JOHN-SAFRAN.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Collins Booksellers on Lydiard":MAILTO:ballaratlydiard@collinsbooks.com.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T183000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240703T005239Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211930Z UID:56852-1729704600-1729708200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 3 | Life So Full of Promise: vivid\, compelling stories about Australia's lost generation. DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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-so-full-of-promise/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/square-promo-life-so-full-of-promise.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241021T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241021T150000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240806T032513Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T031057Z UID:58083-1729515600-1729522800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Chris Hammer DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/chris-hammer/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/chris-hammer-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241002T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241002T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240429T054926Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T053348Z UID:54318-1727892000-1727899200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Author Talk with Fiona McIntosh | More tickets released for this event. DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/fiona-mcintosh/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/promo-square-fiona-mcintosh.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240919T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240919T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240701T013506Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T082242Z UID:56747-1726768800-1726776000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with T.L.W. Robb | From The Top: From Ballarat to Baghdad DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/tlw-rob-in-conversation/ LOCATION:Hugh Williamson Foyer\, Level 1 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tlw-robb-promo-square.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240910T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240910T190000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240709T063001Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T022557Z UID:57127-1725991200-1725994800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Great Aussie Road Trip: Heather Ewart in Conversation | NOW SOLD OUT. DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/great-aussie-road-trip-heather-ewart/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/heather-square-promo-final.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240904T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240904T200000 DTSTAMP:20260407T203443 CREATED:20240429T042735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T023004Z UID:54292-1725472800-1725480000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with J.P. Pomare DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel ‘The Swift Dark Tide’ in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:45 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join Katia Ariel for an intimate conversation about her 2024 Stella shortlisted debut The Swift Dark Tide and her second novel Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Moving between love and loss\, memory and myth\, Ariel’s work navigates the deep waters of human connection with lyricism and courage. \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide \n \n What happens when\, in the middle of a happy heterosexual marriage\, a woman falls in love with another woman? The Swift Dark Tide is a story of selfhood and desire\, of careful listening to an ungovernable heart. Part memoir\, part love letter\, The Swift Dark Tide is also a chronicle of life by the sea\, journeying between Melbourne’s St Kilda and the Black Sea town of Odessa. Katia Ariel introduces us to a lineage of soulful\, strident women and beautifully nuanced men. She invites us into home and heart to witness love\, loss and joy\, motherhood\, daughterhood and the urgent wildness of the body. \n \n \n Ferryman: the life and death of Ephraim Finch | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Swift Dark Tide | Katia Ariel\n \n \n \n Ferryman: The life and deathwork of Ephraim Finch \n \n Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch is a profoundly moving exploration of life\, loss\, and legacy. Blending biography\, memoir\, and cultural history\, Katia Ariel brings to life the remarkable story of Ephraim Finch OAM—a deathworker\, community builder\, and guardian of cultural memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Katia Ariel \n \n Katia (she/her) is an award-winning author\, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa\, Ukraine. Her memoir\, The Swift Dark Tide\, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind\, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and editing\, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book\, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch\, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia Ariel\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katia will be in conversation with Kelly Gardiner \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kelly Gardiner\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Kelly Gardiner \n \n Kelly Gardiner writes historical fiction\, fantasy\, and crime fiction for all ages. Her new crime novel\, Miss Caroline Bingley\, Private Detective\, is inspired by Jane Austen and co-authored with Sharmini Kumar. Kelly’s recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles and her other books include 1917\, shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize; Act of Faith and The Sultan’s Eyes\, both shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards; and The Swashbuckler Triology. Goddess\, her novel based on the life of the seventeenth-century sword-fighting\, cross-dressing opera star\, Mademoiselle de Maupin\, is being adapted for the screen.  Kelly is a former journalist and community worker\, taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years\, and is now writing full-time and running writing retreats and masterclasses.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 will be supported by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \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 \n \n \n \n \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/j-p-pomare/ 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/2024/04/josh-pomare-square-promo-v2-final.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR