BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.3//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:20250731T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250731T160000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250624T062123Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063012Z UID:65855-1753956000-1753977600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/rsss-vocal-schedule-7/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T160000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T203000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250624T063047Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063002Z UID:65863-1754064000-1754080200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/rsss-vocal-schedule-8/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T210000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250625T043529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063828Z UID:65954-1754127000-1754168400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule & Championship Challenge DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/rsss-vocal-schedule-9-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T143000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T203000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250624T235217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T062854Z UID:65881-1754231400-1754253000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Heats DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/rsss-aria-heats/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T213000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250625T000219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T042831Z UID:65888-1754335800-1754343000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Semi Final DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/rsss-aria-semi-final/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250527T025831Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T021316Z UID:65197-1754503200-1754508600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with Chloe Adams & Alli Sinclair DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/chloe-adams-alli-sinclair/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Ballarat Winter Festival,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promo-chloe-and-alli-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250408T041052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041408Z UID:64372-1754506800-1754510400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-6-august/ 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/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T160000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250512T035956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T061800Z UID:64945-1754834400-1754841600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Little Brass Band | BMI Fundraiser: Cheers\, Raise a Glass to Brass DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/little-brass-band/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/little-brass-band-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250408T041113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041537Z UID:64373-1755111600-1755115200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-13-august/ 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/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250811T041345Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T045630Z UID:66767-1755280800-1755286200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Secret History of Sharks with Professor John Long | National Science Week DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/the-secret-history-of-sharks/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Science Week,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sq-promo-the-secret-history-of-sharks.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250816T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250816T220000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250605T021537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250801T031934Z UID:65518-1755372600-1755381600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Craig McLachlan Live & Intimate - Six String Stories DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/craig-mc-lachlan/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/CRAIG-MCLACHLAN-SixStringStories_CM_Hero_draft2-Liam-Mudge.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250522T034400Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001437Z UID:65063-1755712800-1755718200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Michael Robotham DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/michael-robotham/ 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/2025/05/sq-promo-robotham.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250814T001943Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T002105Z UID:66976-1755716400-1755720000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-20-august/ 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/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T170000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250714T045240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T044101Z UID:66222-1755957600-1755968400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Laura J Fitzwilson\, Book Launch - The Fool DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/laura-j-fitzwilson/ LOCATION:Heritage Reading Room\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-laura-l-fitzwilson.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250823T230000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20241204T023112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T025535Z UID:60476-1755979200-1755990000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Six String Blues - A Tribute To Blues Guitar DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/sex-string-blues/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Blues Festival,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/square-promo-six-string-blues.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Matt Arthur Music":MAILTO:matt@mattarthurmusic.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250408T041557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T042601Z UID:64376-1756321200-1756324800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-27-august-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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250830T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250830T203000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250811T023940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T005435Z UID:66742-1756582200-1756585800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Melbourne Guitar Quartet DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/melbourne-guitar-quartet/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Classical Music,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Concerts Australia":MAILTO:michael@concertsaustralia.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250831T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250831T140000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250722T023048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T030553Z UID:66327-1756645200-1756648800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:A Poet's Guide to Love and Loss | A Ballarat Arts Foundation fundraiser featuring tenor Douglas Kelly DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/a-poets-guide-to-love-and-loss/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Live Music,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/victorian-opera-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250901T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250901T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250711T023001Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001637Z UID:66163-1756749600-1756755000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Gabriel Bergmoser DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/gabriel-bergmoser/ 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/gabriel-bergmoser-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T183000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250728T035749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T031406Z UID:66371-1756920600-1756924200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 3\, Spring Season | Ballarat's Henry Lawson\, Unknown facts presented by Hedley Thomson DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-henry-lawson/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-2025.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250903T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250813T042810Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T042930Z UID:66936-1756926000-1756929600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-3-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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250904T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250904T190000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250603T000019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T233613Z UID:64998-1757008800-1757012400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/bmi-twc-tracey-lee-holmes/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Culture,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/sq-promo-tracey-holmes-v4.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250906T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250907T140000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250409T010714Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T075721Z UID:64397-1757152800-1757253600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Spring Book Sale | Reward yourself with loads of Summer reading DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/book-sale-september-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Culture,Fundraiser,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-sale-square-spring-2025.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250910T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250910T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250801T001930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T003001Z UID:66551-1757523600-1757532600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Crafting Conversation: The Jewellers Edition DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-jewellers/ 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:20250910T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250910T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250813T043002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T043105Z UID:66938-1757530800-1757534400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-10-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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250911T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250911T210000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250212T025145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T110610Z UID:61982-1757619000-1757624400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Goodbye Julia DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-goodbye-julia/ 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.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250914T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250914T160000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250805T063244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T023211Z UID:66629-1757858400-1757865600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Fashion Parade Fundraiser | Vintage & Preloved Clothing Shop DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-collectables-fasion-parade-25/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Vintage & Collectables ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/promotional-square-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250917T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250917T183000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250728T041859Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T032241Z UID:66377-1758130200-1758133800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 3\, Spring Season | Into the Dragon's Den\, The Chinese community in Bendigo DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-saving-dragons/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/square-promo-20252.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250917T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250917T200000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250813T043212Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T043312Z UID:66940-1758135600-1758139200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Focus: The Power of Concentration DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-17-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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250918T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250918T193000 DTSTAMP:20260616T192052 CREATED:20250611T030703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T001953Z UID:65608-1758218400-1758223800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Chrissie Bellbrae DESCRIPTION:Stella Day Out Ballarat | Samah Sabawi ‘Cactus Pear For My Beloved’ in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 5\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:15 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 \nFree \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story from Gaza by Samah Sabawi \n \n In conversation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2025 Stella shortlisted author Samah Sabawi is joined by Fatima Measham to discuss art\, activism\, and storytelling that crosses borders – of place\, politics\, and the heart. \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved: A Family Story From Gaza \n \n The story of a family over the past 100 years\, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland. Samah Sabawi shares the story of her parents and many like them who were born as their parents were being forced to leave their homelands. Filled with love for land\, history\, peoples it is more than anything else a family story and a love story told with enormous humanity and feeling. How the son (one of six)\, born at the height of the displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother\, a believer in peaceful resistance\, became a leading poet and writer in Palestine\, before being forced\, with his own young family in tow\, to flee and start a new life in Australia. One of the gifts of Samah Sabawi’s Baba is to remain open-hearted and optimistic. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cactus Pear for my Beloved | Samah Sabawi\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Samah Sabawi\, Author | Photo: Andrew Campbell\n \n \n \n Author Dr. Samah Sabawi \n \n Dr Samah Sabawi is an award-winning Palestinian playwright\, poet\, scholar\, and political commentator whose work weaves art and resistance into powerful expressions of identity\, memory\, and hope. Sabawi’s most recent book Cactus Pear for My Beloved: A Gaza family story (Penguin 2024)\, is a searing memoire exploring love\, exile\, and the enduring scars of dispossession. The book chronicles her family’s journey across a century—from British Mandate Palestine through the Nakba and exile to Queensland. The book has earned critical acclaim\, was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize\, The Age Book of the Year\, and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards’ Douglas Stewart Prize for Non fiction; it was also highly commended by the Victoria Premier’s Literary Awards and long listed for the Palestine Book Awards. Sabawi’s plays Tales of a City by the Sea (La Mamma 2014 – Currency Press 2016) and Them (La Mamma 2019 – Currency Press 2020) both won multiple awards\, were staged to critical acclaim in theatres across Australia\, Canada\, and the Middle East\, and continue to be widely studied and celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and uncompromising political depth. In 2016\, Sabawi co-edited with Stephen Orlov the anthology Double Exposure: Plays of the Jewish and Palestinian Diasporas (Playwrights Canada Press 2016). This groundbreaking anthology is the first English-language collection bringing together plays by Jewish and Palestinian writers\, accompanied by interviews offering insight into the challenges of writing and staging stories centred on justice for Palestine. the book received the Biennial Patrick O’Neill Award. In the realm of poetry\, Sabawi co-authored I Remember My Name – Poetry by Samah Sabawi\, Ramzy Baroud and Jehan Bseiso (Novum Publishing 2016). This powerful trio of Palestinian poets––inspired by exile and resistance––offers deeply personal and politically charged reflections on identity\, displacement\, and hope. Sabawi’s poems employ sharp satire and emotional resonance—calling out injustice and giving voice to resilience. The anthology received the 2016 Palestine Book Award for its lyrical\, urgent storytelling Beyond the page and stage\, Sabawi is a respected media commentator and public speaker and a passionate advocate for justice and human rights. She is co-founder and Board Director of Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA)\, supporting Palestinians\, especially Gaza genocide survivors in Australia. Dr Sabawi received a Master of Communications from Griffith University and a PhD from Victoria University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Samah will be in conversation with Fatima Measham \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fatima Measham\, Author\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Author Fatima Measham \n \n Fatima Measham is a nature writer with a visual practice focused on environmental justice. Her essays and images deal with the incompatibilities and dualities inherent in our relationship with history. Her perspective is drawn from Catholic liberation theory\, Filipino revolutionary history\, and the settler-migrant experience. She is a co-founder of Wyndham for Palestine\, and was part of the organising alliance behind We Vote For Palestine and Solidarity Cup for Palestine.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are proud to be hosting this series at the BMI. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Follow Stella \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event will be supported by 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 \n \n \n \n \n \n Cost Free – Tickets can also be reserved at the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/chrissie-bellbrae/ 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-chrissie-bellbrae.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR