In Conversation with Paula Gleeson
2025-09-25 18:30 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia
In Conversation with Ali Lowe & Vanessa McCausland

April 9

@

7:00 pm

-

8:00 pm

$11.78

Humffray Room

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The Private Island | The Last Illusion of Paige White

Ali Lowe | Vanessa McCausland.

The Private Island

Ali Lowe

Ali Lowe

New Year’s Eve, Loloma Island, Fiji. At one of the most exclusive island resorts in the Pacific ocean, the champagne is poured, the fireworks ready and the countdown to new year is just beginning. It’s set to be a night that no one will forget – especially when a body washes up on the shore. But it’s impossible to find answers when everyone has a motive.The billionaire’s daughter, hungry for her inheritance.The start-up founder, out of money, and out of time.The young dive instructor, in over his head and struggling to stay afloat.The husband, blinded by desire, in all the wrong ways.And the lover, hidden in the shadows.One person’s holiday of a lifetime is about to be the last they’ll ever have.

The Private Island | Ali Lowe

About the author

Ali Lowe is the author of three acclaimed novels: The Trivia Night, The Running Club and The School Run, which was a WHSmith Book of the Month. Her latest novel, The Private Island, is a murder mystery set on a tropical island in Fiji. Ali is a journalist by profession: she was Features Editor at OK! in London and has written for bridal magazines, parenting titles, websites and newspapers. She has dual Australian and British citizenship and lives on Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband and three children.

The Last Illusion of Paige White

Vanessa McCausland

Vanessa McCausland

Two women. A tragedy on the lake. And secrets beneath the surface. ‘How flawless my life appeared, how romantic … But no. I’m being disingenuous, seduced by my own story.’ Paige White kayaked across the lake each morning at dawn. Someone was watching her. Many someones watched her online. But was anyone with her the day she was found? Paige White’s beautiful life is documented closely for her thousands of followers: lakeside picnics with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic dinners with her husband. So when she posts an ominous image, and her body is shortly after discovered in the lake, everyone wonders – suicide or foul play? Paige finds herself suspended in a strange, idyllic place that resembles her most ‘liked’ Instagram post, forced to watch as life continues without her. When Paige’s death makes national news, Jane Masters, a journalist who was close to Paige in childhood, reluctantly travels home. Struggling with the morality of covering her friend’s death, Jane will confront the town she left behind and the dark undercurrents that she’s always known run underneath. ‘Compelling, haunting and beautifully written, The Last Illusion is a clever, page-turning modern mystery as well as a thoughtful exploration of female friendship, family dynamics and the complex impact of social media on self identity. You’ll be thinking about it long after you turn the last page! ’ Liane Moriarty ‘An addictive read which nimbly combines a twisty small-town mystery with a thoughtful critique of influencer culture, all set against the wild, irresistible beauty of the Australian coastal landscape.’ Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

The Last Illusion of Paige White | Vanessa McCausland

About the author

Vanessa is a former news and arts journalist turned author who has published four contemporary fiction novels with HarperCollins Australia. Her fifth, The Last Illusion of Paige White, is having its US debut with Crown Publishing in June 2025. She writes literary mystery/book club fiction addressing contemporary issues with a strong sense of place. Her third book, The Beautiful Words, was shortlisted for the 2022 Davitt Crime Awards. It was also included in the 2022 HSC English exam. She studied English and Australian Literature at Sydney University and graduated with honours in Theatre and Performance Studies. She worked as a cadet and then a news, medical and arts journalist for The Daily Telegraph and she has been published in numerous other publications over a twenty-year career. Vanessa lives in Sydney with her husband and daughter.

$11.78 per person includes booking fee & gst, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042

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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.

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An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM
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In Conversation with Geoff Parkes and Susi Fox
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In conversation with Tori Baxter | Book Launch
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In Conversation with Paula McLean
2026-02-25 18:30 - 20:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Kate Mildenhall & Josh Pomare
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In Conversation with Fiona Lowe
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Twilight Talks: Focus on Ballarat - Nostalgic memories of Stawell & Ballarat - 1950s and 1960s
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In Conversation with Victoria Purman
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In Conversation with Kerri Rogan
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In Conversation with Amanda Hampson
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In Conversation with Mark Smith
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In Conversation with Benita Bensch
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In Conversation with Sophie Green
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