BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//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: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 BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T193000 DTSTAMP:20260423T213243 CREATED:20260313T024204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034457Z UID:71265-1784138400-1784143800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Benita Bensch DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n April 21\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Drowning \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Authentically Australian\, Fiona Lowe’s stories are often triggered by a secret or a mystery\, and they explore the themes of family\, community and second chances. Described as gripping\, thought-provoking\, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting\, Lowe’s books have been praised for their emotional depth. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A body on the beach. An inheritance. A family pulled apart.  \n \n CC Cilento’s best memories are of spending every summer holiday running wild in and out of the Friend family beach house with her cousins\, James\, Ollie\, Felix and Lily. It’s the next best thing to having brothers and sisters. They’ve continued the summer tradition into adulthood\, getting together at the shack with its absolute beach frontage. But now a bombshell has dropped: the four sibling cousins have officially inherited the property – along with an unexpected fifth share to CC. What starts out as the perfect gift\, and a way of keeping the family connected forever\, quickly devolves into an emotional power struggle. Half of them want to keep the legacy intact\, while the others want to sell – and each side will do anything to make it happen. Soon\, CC can’t tell friend from foe. When a body is found on the shack’s beach\, has this family dispute turned deadly? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n \n Fiona Lowe\, author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe has been a midwife\, a sexual health counsellor and a family support workeer; an ideal career for an author who writes novels about family and relationships. She spent her early years in Papua New Guinea where\, without television\, reading was the entertainment and it set up a lifelong love of books. She is the recipient of the prestigioous USA RITA award and two Australian RuBY AWARDS. When she’s not writing stories\, she’s a distracted wife\, a sage to two adult sons\, a rail trail cyclist\, a volunteer in her community\, and a newly addicted homecrafts ‘show’ entrant. She is often found collapsed on the couch with wine\, knitting and her latest love\, an audio book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/benita-bensch/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-benita-bensch-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T193000 DTSTAMP:20260423T213243 CREATED:20260416T050939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T012750Z UID:72260-1785348000-1785353400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Phillipa Nefri Clark DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n April 21\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Drowning \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Authentically Australian\, Fiona Lowe’s stories are often triggered by a secret or a mystery\, and they explore the themes of family\, community and second chances. Described as gripping\, thought-provoking\, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting\, Lowe’s books have been praised for their emotional depth. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A body on the beach. An inheritance. A family pulled apart.  \n \n CC Cilento’s best memories are of spending every summer holiday running wild in and out of the Friend family beach house with her cousins\, James\, Ollie\, Felix and Lily. It’s the next best thing to having brothers and sisters. They’ve continued the summer tradition into adulthood\, getting together at the shack with its absolute beach frontage. But now a bombshell has dropped: the four sibling cousins have officially inherited the property – along with an unexpected fifth share to CC. What starts out as the perfect gift\, and a way of keeping the family connected forever\, quickly devolves into an emotional power struggle. Half of them want to keep the legacy intact\, while the others want to sell – and each side will do anything to make it happen. Soon\, CC can’t tell friend from foe. When a body is found on the shack’s beach\, has this family dispute turned deadly? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n \n Fiona Lowe\, author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe has been a midwife\, a sexual health counsellor and a family support workeer; an ideal career for an author who writes novels about family and relationships. She spent her early years in Papua New Guinea where\, without television\, reading was the entertainment and it set up a lifelong love of books. She is the recipient of the prestigioous USA RITA award and two Australian RuBY AWARDS. When she’s not writing stories\, she’s a distracted wife\, a sage to two adult sons\, a rail trail cyclist\, a volunteer in her community\, and a newly addicted homecrafts ‘show’ entrant. She is often found collapsed on the couch with wine\, knitting and her latest love\, an audio book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/phillipa-nefri-clark/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sp-promo-talks-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T193000 DTSTAMP:20260423T213243 CREATED:20260324T234500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T033956Z UID:71535-1786557600-1786563000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Sophie Green DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n April 21\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Drowning \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Authentically Australian\, Fiona Lowe’s stories are often triggered by a secret or a mystery\, and they explore the themes of family\, community and second chances. Described as gripping\, thought-provoking\, heart-warming and ultimately uplifting\, Lowe’s books have been praised for their emotional depth. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A body on the beach. An inheritance. A family pulled apart.  \n \n CC Cilento’s best memories are of spending every summer holiday running wild in and out of the Friend family beach house with her cousins\, James\, Ollie\, Felix and Lily. It’s the next best thing to having brothers and sisters. They’ve continued the summer tradition into adulthood\, getting together at the shack with its absolute beach frontage. But now a bombshell has dropped: the four sibling cousins have officially inherited the property – along with an unexpected fifth share to CC. What starts out as the perfect gift\, and a way of keeping the family connected forever\, quickly devolves into an emotional power struggle. Half of them want to keep the legacy intact\, while the others want to sell – and each side will do anything to make it happen. Soon\, CC can’t tell friend from foe. When a body is found on the shack’s beach\, has this family dispute turned deadly? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n \n Fiona Lowe\, author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fiona Lowe has been a midwife\, a sexual health counsellor and a family support workeer; an ideal career for an author who writes novels about family and relationships. She spent her early years in Papua New Guinea where\, without television\, reading was the entertainment and it set up a lifelong love of books. She is the recipient of the prestigioous USA RITA award and two Australian RuBY AWARDS. When she’s not writing stories\, she’s a distracted wife\, a sage to two adult sons\, a rail trail cyclist\, a volunteer in her community\, and a newly addicted homecrafts ‘show’ entrant. She is often found collapsed on the couch with wine\, knitting and her latest love\, an audio book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/sophie-green/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-sophie-green.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR