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:20251118T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251118T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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:20260812T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T193000 DTSTAMP:20260520T082234 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: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\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 Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How James became King: The true story of James 'King' O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, Brian O'Malley \n \n \n \n \n \n Brian O’Malley is a retired Australian Federal public servant with experience in law enforcement functions and wide range of work and travel experience. Has has won the ACT Marjorie Graber-McInnes short story competition and was short listed in Shoalhaven national short story competition. He has been an amateur genealogist for 40 years\, has lived in United Kingdom for 8 years\, and two years in Canada on secondment to Canadian Government. Brian has uncovered the dark secret taken to the grave by a founding father of Australia’s 1901 Federal Parliament\, ‘King’ O’Malley. A 100 year old scrapbook of family memorabilia. In the book is an errant photograph of a high-profile namesake of the author – a politician and member of the first Australian Federal Parliament. This arouses curiosity about a possible family connection. During the 1890s this parliamentarian obfuscates his past\, claiming Canadian birth to enable him to stand for Australian parliament\, elaborating a fantastical story of his nativity and early years in North America to enable him to be elected. Reconstructing the purported family tree of the main actor reveals a family in New Haven\, which was the centre of a sensational murder in 1881 and the subsequent trial in 1882 . The trial was a national and internationally identified miscarriage of justice\, bankrolled by an uncle of the accused. Witnesses and the judiciary allegedly have their mouths ‘covered with greenbacks’.  The author locates a photograph of the accused  –  James Malley – and it bears a striking resemblance to the Australian Politician ‘King’ O’Malley – and the journey begins… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: How James became King \n \n \n \n \n \n ‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a ‘larrikin’ and maverick politician\, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister\, whose political career spanned two decades.  Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling\, fashionable accoutrements\, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona. However\, his past remained shrouded in mystery. Yet\, on the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven\, Connecticut\, trial and acquittal of James Malley\, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer\, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States\, and the saga begins. This is the story of how James became ‘King’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Ballarta Writers – write it your way\n Stella Day Out\, Ballarat 5 November 2025 | As events... \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