BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251113T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251113T210000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053628 CREATED:20250212T031341Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T110605Z UID:61989-1763062200-1763067600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | ​Hammarskjöld: The Fight for Peace DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-hammarskjold/ 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/sqaure-promo-bfs3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251112T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251112T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053628 CREATED:20250813T050947Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T051100Z UID:66973-1762974000-1762977600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to solve our human problems DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-12-november-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-human-poblems.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251112T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251112T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053628 CREATED:20251017T014102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T032148Z UID:68029-1762966800-1762975800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Crafting Conversation: The Artists Edition DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/crafting-conversation-artists/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Art programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-mgth.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Make Good Things Happen":MAILTO:angela@daltonbaker.com.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251106T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251106T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250711T034827Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T003339Z UID:66176-1762453800-1762459200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Rachael Johns DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/rachael-johns/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sq-promo-rachael-johns.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T191500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250812T054350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T035952Z UID:66822-1762370100-1762372800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi 'Cactus Pear For My Beloved' in conversation with Fatima Measham DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-samah-sabawi/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-samah.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T050815Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T050909Z UID:66971-1762369200-1762372800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to solve our human problems DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-5-november-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-human-poblems.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T184500 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250812T005546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T040122Z UID:66788-1762365600-1762368300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Katia Ariel 'The Swift Dark Tide' in conversation with Kelly Gardiner DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-katia-ariel/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-katia.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251105T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250728T053444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T033437Z UID:66400-1762363800-1762367400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 4\, Remembrance Day | Recent War Memorabilia - from WW2 to Afghanistan\, Presented by David Wright. DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-war-memorabilia/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-medals-v36.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251031T210000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251031T220000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250923T044958Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T051126Z UID:67531-1761944400-1761948000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-31-oct-25-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours,Tours,Victorian Seniors Festival 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:20251031T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251031T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250923T045951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T051016Z UID:67550-1761937200-1761940800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-31-oct-25/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Night Tours,Tours,Victorian Seniors Festival 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:20251029T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251029T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T050626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T050736Z UID:66969-1761764400-1761768000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to solve our human problems DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-29-october-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-human-poblems.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251029T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251029T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250728T043616Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T043434Z UID:66385-1761759000-1761762600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 4\, Remembrance Day | A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Ballarat Connections to HMAS Sydney 2 in 1941 DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-surgeon-commander-leading-cook/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/hmas-sydney-2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251026T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251026T160000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250903T045545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T013159Z UID:67296-1761472800-1761494400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Linen and Lace: An exhibition through the decades DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/linen-and-lace-fundraiser-2/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art programs,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/linen-and-lace-sq-promo-v3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251025T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251025T160000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250805T043957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T061603Z UID:66614-1761386400-1761408000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Linen and Lace: An exhibition through the decades DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/linen-and-lace-fundraiser/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art programs,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Urban Agriculture Month,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/linen-and-lace-sq-promo-v3-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251024T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251024T201500 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20251001T035625Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T045612Z UID:67819-1761332400-1761336900@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Opera's Bad Girl: Anna Bishop\, the World's First Daringly Defiant Diva DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/operas-bad-girl/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Live Music,Theatre Production,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sq-promo-bad-girl.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251022T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251022T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T045930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T050518Z UID:66964-1761159600-1761163200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to solve our human problems DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-22-october-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-human-poblems.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251022T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251022T140000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250930T012758Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T061535Z UID:67775-1761127200-1761141600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Seniors Expo | BMI component now CANCELLED DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-seniors-festival-expo/ LOCATION:Ballarat Show Grounds\, Ballarat\, Australia CATEGORIES:Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/seniors-2025-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251021T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251021T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250919T003912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T045545Z UID:67443-1761069600-1761075000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with J Mary Masters *This event has now been CANCELLED* DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/j-mary-masters/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sq-promo-judith-final.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251019T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251019T160000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250710T035225Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T023809Z UID:66112-1760882400-1760889600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:'God of Carnage'\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production | This season NOW CANCELLED | BNT apologises. DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/god-of-carnage-5/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251016T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251016T213000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250709T002656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T023644Z UID:66088-1760643000-1760650200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:'God of Carnage'\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production | This season NOW CANCELLED | BNT apologises. DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/god-of-carnage/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251015T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251015T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T045048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T045830Z UID:66955-1760554800-1760558400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Three Methods for Overcoming Bad Habits DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-15-october-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-bad-habits-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251009T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251009T210000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250212T040547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T110559Z UID:62016-1760038200-1760043600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | To Thank the Room DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-to-thank-the-room-oct/ 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/sqaure-promo-bfs-update2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251008T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251008T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T044851Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T045058Z UID:66952-1759950000-1759953600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Three Methods for Overcoming Bad Habits DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-8-october-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-bad-habits-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251005T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251005T170000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250709T015027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T044106Z UID:66091-1759676400-1759683600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Three Russian Piano Trios DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/russian-piano-trios/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Classical Music,Live Music,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sq-promo-brian-champman.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251004T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251004T210000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250925T034907Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T043007Z UID:67630-1759604400-1759611600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Spaceballs - a FightMND fundraiser DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/spaceballs-fightmnd-fundraiser/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Externally Produced Event,Film,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sq-promo-spaceballs.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251001T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251001T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T043556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T045127Z UID:66944-1759345200-1759348800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Three Methods for Overcoming Bad Habits DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-1-october-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo-bad-habits-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251001T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251001T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250708T020553Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T043730Z UID:66044-1759341600-1759347000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Rozzi Bazzani DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/rozzi-bazzani/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sq-promo-rozzi-final-1.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250930T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250930T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250828T015533Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T030623Z UID:67270-1759253400-1759257000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:A Creative Ballarat Workshop | Why Join? The Perks of Regional Arts Victoria & CRAFT Memberships DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/creative-ballarat-rav-craft/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Art programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/creative-ballarat.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250925T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250925T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250611T003027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T002121Z UID:65587-1758825000-1758830400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Paula Gleeson DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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/paula-gleeson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/sq-promo-paula-gleeson.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250924T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250924T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T053629 CREATED:20250813T043421Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T043514Z UID:66942-1758740400-1758744000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Peter FitzSimons AM \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 20\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:00 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva 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 The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Surgeon\, prisoner-of-war\, life -saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter FitzSimons \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer Peter FitzSimons AM will be in Ballarat to celebrate his latest book about Weary Dunlop. \n \n Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer\, and for the past 39 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. He is the author of a number of highly successful books\, including Breaker Morant\, Burke and Wills\, Monash’s Masterpiece\, Kokoda\, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli\, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson\, Nancy Wake and John Eales. His passion is to tell Australian stories\, our own stories: of great men and women\, of stirring events in our history.Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney\, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby\, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy\, playing rugby for regional clubs. He and his wife\, Lisa Wilkinson AM – journalist\, magazine editor and television presenter – have three children; they live in Sydney. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II – brilliantly told by Australia’s favourite storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. In September 1939\, young Australian surgeon Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up\, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East\, serving in Palestine\, Greece\, Crete\, Egypt and Tobruk. \nAs the European war dragged on\, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng\, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership\, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore\, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps\, tropical diseases\, malnutrition\, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet\, with little to no medical supplies\, under extreme physical pressure\, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance. \nWeary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby\, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path – one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage\, compassion and resilience. Now\, Weary Dunlop’s heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia’s greatest storyteller\, Peter FitzSimons. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is hosted by Collins Booksellers on Lydiard \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free   \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 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-24-september-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promo-1.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR