BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20240722T103000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240727T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240625T090014Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T072904Z UID:56453-1721644200-1722092400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Rare Book Week | BMI Vintage Book Sale DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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/rare-book-week-bmi-vintage-book-sale/ LOCATION:hooper Room CATEGORIES:About us,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Rare Book Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/promo-square-vintage-book-sale-v3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240729T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240729T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240605T015052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113538Z UID:55878-1722276000-1722283200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Leah Kaminsky & Jacinta Halloran DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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/kaminsky-halloran/ 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/2024/06/promo-square-from-poster-leah-jacinta.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240808T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240808T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240429T031641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T112257Z UID:54288-1723140000-1723147200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Margaret Hickey DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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/margaret-hickey/ 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/square-promo-margaret-hickey-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240820T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240820T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240430T023540Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T051523Z UID:54352-1724176800-1724184000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Anna Romer DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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/anna-romer/ 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/square-promo-anna-romer-v-4.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240904T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240904T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240429T042735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T023004Z UID:54292-1725472800-1725480000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with J.P. Pomare DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240910T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240910T190000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20240919T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240919T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241002T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241002T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241021T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241021T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240806T032513Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T031057Z UID:58083-1729515600-1729522800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Chris Hammer DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241023T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241026T160000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241026T173000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241030T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240723T055539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T023001Z UID:57574-1730311200-1730318400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Benjamin Stevenson DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241111T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240723T042221Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211640Z UID:57552-1731348000-1731355200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Tea Cooper DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241116T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241116T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T160000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241120T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241127T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20241130T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241201T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20240827T045027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T012154Z UID:58515-1732960800-1733061600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Summer Book Sale | Stockpile for the holidays DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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/summer-book-sale-2024/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Fundraiser,Library,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/book-sale-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20241202T031650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160628Z UID:60438-1739901600-1739907000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Jane Cafarella DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250225T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250109T010836Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160554Z UID:61027-1740506400-1740513600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Megan Brown & Lucy Sussex DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250226T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250319T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250319T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250324T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250324T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250213T025304Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T051403Z UID:62065-1742839200-1742844600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Charlotte McConaghy DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250401T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250401T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250218T050634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T044951Z UID:62217-1743530400-1743535800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mark Smith DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250409T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250409T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250318T005938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013240Z UID:62939-1744225200-1744228800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Ali Lowe & Vanessa McCausland DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250429T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250429T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250218T012450Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T045401Z UID:62175-1745949600-1745955000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Shelley Burr DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250430T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250430T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250108T020658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113126Z UID:60981-1746034200-1746037800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 2\, Special Event | The Life of Walter Withers DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250501T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250501T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20241204T012140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T031044Z UID:60465-1746122400-1746129600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Natasha Lester DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250504T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250504T160000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 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:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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:20250507T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250507T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012217 CREATED:20250401T040022Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T010026Z UID:64144-1746640800-1746646200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\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 \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first 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 Price 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 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 END:VCALENDAR