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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250221T193000
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UID:61399-1740166200-1740171600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:BMI Live: Hot Club Swing & Amie Brûlée
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/hot-club-swing-amie-brulee/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Live,Important Dates,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/udwcV2RW-e1738021755508.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250219T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250219T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T161156Z
CREATED:20250106T014520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161156Z
UID:60903-1739991600-1739997000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-3/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T180000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T193000
DTSTAMP:20250321T160628Z
CREATED:20241202T031650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160628Z
UID:60438-1739901600-1739907000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Jane Cafarella
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/jane-cafarella/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jane-cafarella-sq-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250213T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250213T210000
DTSTAMP:20250321T113214Z
CREATED:20250203T001511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T113214Z
UID:61630-1739475000-1739480400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | KNEECAP
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-kneecap/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/kneecap-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250212T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250212T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T161159Z
CREATED:20250106T014304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161159Z
UID:60901-1739386800-1739392200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-2/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250209T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250209T173000
DTSTAMP:20250321T163224Z
CREATED:20241113T233828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163224Z
UID:59974-1739113200-1739122200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Adam Harvey | Live at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/adam-harvey/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rdKZB_7g-socials.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250207T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250207T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T163211Z
CREATED:20250110T034631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163211Z
UID:61064-1738953000-1738960200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:BMI Live: Olybird and the Milla Williams Duo
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/olybird-milla-williams-duo/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Live,Important Dates,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0066A.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250205T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250205T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T161202Z
CREATED:20250106T012015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161202Z
UID:60892-1738782000-1738787400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-1/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250129T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250129T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151012Z
CREATED:20241216T233250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151012Z
UID:60722-1738177200-1738182600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Finding Joy: Meditation in a Busy Life - Public Talk with Gen Kelsang Rabten
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/finding-joy/
LOCATION:VIC
CATEGORIES:kadampa,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Finding-Joy-Ballarat.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="KMC Australia & Melbourne":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250124T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250124T230000
DTSTAMP:20250321T163216Z
CREATED:20250110T013352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163216Z
UID:61048-1737747000-1737759600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:HIP HOP ELEMENTS
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/hip-hop-elements-bmi/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/sqaure-promo-hip-hop.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250122T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250122T204000
DTSTAMP:20250321T192735Z
CREATED:20241113T005429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192735Z
UID:59934-1737572400-1737578400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:'Gimme Shelter' 1970 | THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TECH ISSUES
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/gimme-shelter-1970/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mich-jagger-square.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250115T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250115T204500
DTSTAMP:20250321T192558Z
CREATED:20241113T003024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192558Z
UID:59922-1736967600-1736973900@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Medieval to Metal Rockumentary Film Series: 'This is Spinal Tap' 1984
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/this-is-spinal-tap-1984/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/spinal-tap-square.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241221T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241221T160000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151154Z
CREATED:20241205T040653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151154Z
UID:60568-1734773400-1734796800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-21/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241220T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241220T160000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151158Z
CREATED:20241205T040517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151158Z
UID:60566-1734688800-1734710400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-20/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241219T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241219T150000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151201Z
CREATED:20241205T032921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151201Z
UID:60549-1734602400-1734620400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-19/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241215T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241215T160000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151204Z
CREATED:20241205T032559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151204Z
UID:60546-1734255000-1734278400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-15/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241214T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241214T160000
DTSTAMP:20250321T151210Z
CREATED:20241204T221030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151210Z
UID:60511-1734168600-1734192000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T210000
DTSTAMP:20250325T121224Z
CREATED:20240130T012706Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T121224Z
UID:50650-1734031800-1734037200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Smiley
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-smiley/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/smiley-2-e1706578579617.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T223000
DTSTAMP:20241126T030544Z
CREATED:20241126T013229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241126T030544Z
UID:60175-1734024600-1734042600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-dec-24-12-dec/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T211500
DTSTAMP:20250321T192738Z
CREATED:20241111T035654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192738Z
UID:59851-1733943600-1733951700@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Medieval to Metal Rockumentary Film Series: 'Don't Look Back' 1967
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/dont-look-back-1967/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/humanitix-dob-e1731297748218.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T203000
DTSTAMP:20240815T032555Z
CREATED:20240815T032420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032555Z
UID:58398-1733943600-1733949000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-11-december-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241205T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T223000
DTSTAMP:20240520T015210Z
CREATED:20240121T233015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240520T015210Z
UID:50320-1733419800-1734042600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-dec-24/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241204T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241204T203000
DTSTAMP:20240815T032446Z
CREATED:20240815T032259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032446Z
UID:58397-1733338800-1733344200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-4-december-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241130T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241201T140000
DTSTAMP:20250325T012154Z
CREATED:20240827T045027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T012154Z
UID:58515-1732960800-1733061600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Summer Book Sale | Stockpile for the holidays
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/summer-book-sale-2024/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Culture,Fundraiser,Library,Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/book-sale-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T203000
DTSTAMP:20240815T032253Z
CREATED:20240815T032149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032253Z
UID:58395-1732734000-1732739400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-27-november-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T183000
DTSTAMP:20250321T211055Z
CREATED:20240924T031552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211055Z
UID:58976-1732728600-1732732200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat Notoriety
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-uncovering-the-past-4/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-john-smyth.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T213000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T223000
DTSTAMP:20250321T211619Z
CREATED:20241006T223455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211619Z
UID:59336-1732397400-1732401000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 4
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-nov-23-2/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T203000
DTSTAMP:20250321T211621Z
CREATED:20241006T223241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211621Z
UID:59334-1732390200-1732393800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 3
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-nov-23/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T200000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T220000
DTSTAMP:20250321T211629Z
CREATED:20240910T030313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211629Z
UID:58645-1732305600-1732312800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Get Rhythm: The Johnny Cash & June Carter Show | THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/johnny-cash-june-carter-show/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/johnny-cash-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T113000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T153000
DTSTAMP:20250321T191545Z
CREATED:20240815T010540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T191545Z
UID:58347-1732275000-1732289400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Golf Day Fundraiser | Join Us at Snake Valley Golf Club
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks: Season 2\, The Light on the Hill: An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party. 				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			October 28\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		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n									The Light on the Hill: An updated history of the Australian Labour Party.  								\n				\n									by Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n									Speaker:  								\n				\n									Ross McMullin 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n									The Light on the Hill 								\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Approaching the centenary in 1991 of the Australian Labor Party – one of the oldest political parties in the world – the National Executive of the Party undertook to encourage an historian of Australia to write a comprehensive history. To this end they appointed a committee of Party elders to select the historian and to give encouragement and support. Among the elders were Frank Crean (Victoria)\, ‘Johno’ Johnson (New South Wales)\, Kim Beazley (senior\, Western Australia) and Geoff Virgo (South Australia). The committee was chaired by the ALP National Secretary\, Bob McMullan. Bob had asked me to attend its meetings as an historical adviser. ‘Johno’ came to the meeting wondering why we were meeting at all as the New South Wales Party was prepared to offer their preferred historian. Though a federal entity it was amusing to watch as state loyalties emerged. It was quickly apparent that the group would not accept a New South Wales historian being foisted on them. So it was agreed that the committee would advertise\, calling for expressions of interest. We assembled a suitable\, and impressive\, short list and then the real fun began. With strong support from Frank Crean\, a young Melbourne historian\, Ross McMullin\, was selected. McMullin then had one book to his name\, Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, Angus and Robertson\, 1984. It helped the committee’s estimation of him that his book had been shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. The committee was also impressed by McMullin’s youth and by the enthusiasm for the task that he had demonstrated in interview. I knew McMullin\, slightly\, and told the committee that I expected him to do an excellent job. Publication of the book was also put out by the committee for bids. The winning publisher was Oxford University with a generous royalty divided between the Party and the author. McMullin threw himself into the task\, promising the committee that he would have the manuscript completed in time for publication in 1991. I read the manuscript\, when finished\, assuring the Party elders that the historian had done a first-class job. Frankly I was astonished by the depth of the research\, the completeness\, and the Australia-wide coverage of the account. But to my mind the best thing about the book was its readability. It easily met the committee’s determination to have a book which rank and file branch members could read with pleasure and profit as so many did\, judged by the sales. We never met again after I had assured the committee that The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891-1991 had achieved all the committee’s expectations and ambitions. I had greatly enjoyed spending time with such a remarkable collection of Labor Party elders. What impressed me about the book then\, as it does now\, was its searing honesty and the shrewd appraisal of the main characters. Of course wartime Prime Minister\, John Curtin — in the chapter entitled ‘Dangers and Problems Unprecedented and Unpredictable’: The Curtin government 1941-1945’ — is rightly treated as a national hero. But the reader first meets him in 1916 [no\, earlier in 1907] when he is a passionate campaigner against conscription. His health suffered and he was admitted to a convalescent home in 1916. McMullin quotes Frank Anstey\, a federal member for the seat of Bourke\, Melbourne\, writing to encourage Curtin: ‘the man who has carried his crucifix and climbed his Calvary is a better man than he who never touched the stony road of suffering.’ Readers may wonder how the Party produced such men. While a centenary history will celebrate achievement\, success and the Party’s contribution to the development of the nation\, McMullin does not flinch from the disasters and wrong turns. The chapter ‘Sad Days for the Party’: Another Big Split\, 1950-1960’ makes for hard reading for a ‘true believer’ but it tells of a Party in turmoil\, heading towards possible extinction. Who\, now\, would give much thought to Stan Keon or Jack Mullens\, both federal members who walked out on the Party. Here is McMullin’s characterisation of Mullens\, who was soon forgotten by history: ‘a large\, genial\, urbane but furiously bigoted man given to florid eloquence and anti-communist zeal’. This is typical of McMullin’s approach. Readers become well-acquainted with every character who enters his text. Now comes a re-issue of the book with a new title and a new\, and much better\, cover featuring a photograph of all former Labor prime ministers and the current prime minister. It is a much longer book with an entirely new chapter\, ‘The Centenary and Beyond 1991-2024’ running to 39 pages. Like the original work\, the new book is authoritative\, comprehensive and eminently readable. I hope it finds a whole new audience\, as it deserves. 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Sunday Extra | Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:25am 								\n				\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									When the Australian Labor Party turned 100 in 1991\, one of ways the centenary was marked was the publication of a commissioned history by Ross McMullin: “The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991”  In 2026\, McMullin has published a new edition\, which he describes as telling “the story of Australia’s oldest and most resilient and significant political party through the people who shaped it.” Guest: Ross McMullin\, historian and author 								\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					About the speaker 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n				\n									Ross McMullin Ross started his working life as a solicitor after completing degrees in law and commerce at Melbourne University. During that time he also played District cricket for University and Prahran.  Ross then headed in a very different direction to become a historian and biographer. In 1976 he decided to leave the law to pursue alternatives more aligned with his interest in history. Initially this involved being an archivist with Australian Archives\, and he later began postgraduate research in Australian history. He completed a PhD\, which was published in 1984 as Will Dyson: Cartoonist\, Etcher and Australia’s Finest War Artist\, and shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award. Ross was then chosen to write the ALP’s commissioned centenary history\, which was published as The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991. 								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									More about Ross Mc Mullin > 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									This event will be supported by Community Bank Buninyong 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n							\n						\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									$13 per person plus booking fee\, general admission | $9 for BMI members plus booking fee. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									Get Tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land.
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/golf-day-2024/
LOCATION:Snake Valley Golf Club\, 341 Chepstowe Road\, Snake Valley\, Victoria\, 3351\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/golf-day-square-promo-FINAL.webp
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR<div id="error"><p class="wpdberror"><strong>WordPress database error:</strong> [The table &#039;S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug&#039; is full]<br /><code>INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES (&#039;2026-08-04 21:44:55.729&#039;,&#039;0&#039;,&#039;6a725d55bbddc&#039;,0,&#039;DEBUG: [WorkflowEngine] Engine finished processing request (1960 ms)&#039;)</code></p></div><div id="error"><p class="wpdberror"><strong>WordPress database error:</strong> [The table &#039;S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug&#039; is full]<br /><code>INSERT INTO S1JQUJ_postexpirator_debug (`timestamp`,`blog`,`request_id`,`trigger_activated`,`message`) VALUES (&#039;2026-08-04 21:44:55.730&#039;,&#039;0&#039;,&#039;6a725d55bbddc&#039;,0,&#039;DEBUG: Shutdown&#039;)</code></p></div>