BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.2//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: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 BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T184500 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20250812T005546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T040122Z UID:66788-1762365600-1762368300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel 'The Swift Dark Tide' in conversation with Kelly Gardiner DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-katia-ariel/ 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/2025/08/square-promo-katia.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T191500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20250812T054350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T035952Z UID:66822-1762370100-1762372800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi 'Cactus Pear For My Beloved' in conversation with Fatima Measham DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-samah-sabawi/ 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/2025/08/square-promo-samah.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251106T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251106T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20250711T034827Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T003339Z UID:66176-1762453800-1762459200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Rachael Johns DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/rachael-johns/ 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/2025/07/sq-promo-rachael-johns.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251118T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251118T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20250917T050616Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T062718Z UID:67363-1763488800-1763494200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Margaret Hickey DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/margaret-hickey-25/ 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/2025/09/margaret-hickey-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251120T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251120T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251110T031233Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T031636Z UID:68444-1763663400-1763668800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/an-evening-with-peter-fitzsimons-am/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cover-peter-fitzsimonos-book-e1762145093105.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251202T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251202T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251113T001614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T003410Z UID:68682-1764698400-1764703800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with William McInnes DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/william-mcinnes/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/william-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T140000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251110T024632Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251128T005707Z UID:68436-1765015200-1765029600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Christmas Book Sale DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bmi-christmas-book-sale/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Market ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/book-sale-square-promo-christmas-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260128T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251120T065224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251215T040410Z UID:68764-1769623200-1769628600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Geoff Parkes and Susi Fox DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-geoff-parks-susi-fox/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sq-promo-geoff.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260214T120000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260214T140000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20260112T012814Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T060448Z UID:69779-1771070400-1771077600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with Tori Baxter | Book Launch DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-tori-baxter/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251008T011020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T030310Z UID:67900-1772044200-1772049600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Paula McLean DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/paula-mclean/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sp-promo-paula-mclean.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260310T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260310T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20251110T032113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T233337Z UID:68454-1773165600-1773171000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Kate Mildenhall & Josh Pomare DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-christian-white-josh-pomare/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/square-promo-kate-josh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260324T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260324T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184345 CREATED:20260201T232719Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T030026Z UID:70486-1774375200-1774380600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Chrissie Bellbrae DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-chrissie-bellbrae/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/sp-promo-chrissie-bellbrae.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260414T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260414T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260303T223948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T045131Z UID:71084-1776189600-1776195000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Gerardine Christou: The story of Peg Rankin DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-gerardine-christou/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-v4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260225T002934Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T044657Z UID:70896-1776794400-1776799800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Fiona Lowe DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/fiona-lowe/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/sp-promo-talks-fiona-lowe.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260429T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260429T183000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260313T041015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T044107Z UID:71275-1777483800-1777487400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks: Focus on Ballarat - Nostalgic memories of Stawell & Ballarat - 1950s and 1960s DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-focus-on-ballarat-3/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Author Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/square-promo-2025-nostalgia-final-v2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260430T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260430T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260303T233837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T014040Z UID:71100-1777573800-1777579200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Anna Johnston DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-anna-johnston/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-anna-johnston-v3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260511T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260511T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260316T013945Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T043011Z UID:71295-1778522400-1778527800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Victoria Purman DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/victoria-purman/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-victoria-purman.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260513T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260513T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260303T011741Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T041831Z UID:71063-1778697000-1778702400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Kerri Rogan DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-kerri-rogan/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-v3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260527T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260527T200000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260313T002934Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T035212Z UID:71249-1779906600-1779912000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Amanda Hampson DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/amanda-hampson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-amanda-hampson.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260617T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260617T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260506T023026Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T043433Z UID:72763-1781719200-1781724600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Anthea Hodgson DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-anthea-hodgson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sp-promo-talks-anthea-hodgson.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260623T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260623T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260313T005434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034824Z UID:71257-1782237600-1782243000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Mark Smith DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/mark-smith-2/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-mark-smith.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260701T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260701T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260506T041811Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T010257Z UID:72778-1782928800-1782934200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Sherryl Clark DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-sherryl-clark/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sp-promo-talks-sherryl-clark.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260313T024204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T072228Z UID:71265-1784138400-1784143800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Benita Bensch DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/benita-bensch/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-benita-bensch-FINAL.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260420T042351Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T043115Z UID:72345-1784570400-1784575800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Petronella McGovern DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/petronella-mcgovern/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sp-promo-talks-petronella-mcgovern-v3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260416T050939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T012750Z UID:72260-1785348000-1785353400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Phillipa Nefri Clark DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/phillipa-nefri-clark/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sp-promo-talks-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260803T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260803T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260520T044923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T050100Z UID:73049-1785780000-1785785400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Margaret Hickety DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-with-margaret-hickety/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sp-promo-talks-margaret-hickey.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T184346 CREATED:20260324T234500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T033956Z UID:71535-1786557600-1786563000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Sophie Green DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \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 Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Rare Book Week 2026\n Melbourne Rare Book Week 24 Jul – 2 Aug 2026... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Model Murder Amanda Hampson Don’t miss Amanda who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n After the Noise Kerri Rogan Don’t miss Kerri who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Marriage Trap Victoria Purman Don’t miss Victoria who will... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/sophie-green/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-sophie-green.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR