BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260715T200000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260509T054421Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260509T055023Z UID:72886-1784142000-1784145600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Full Heart: Gratitude and Contentment in Daily Life DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-a-full-heart-gratitude-and-contentment-in-daily-life-15-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-Gratitude_GP_Class_BMI-Square.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260716T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260716T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260129T044738Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034341Z UID:70423-1784230200-1784235600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Journey Home DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-journey-home/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/journey-home-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260720T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260420T042351Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T043115Z UID:72345-1784570400-1784575800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Petronella McGovern DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/petronella-mcgovern/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sp-promo-talks-petronella-mcgovern-v3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260722T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260722T200000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260509T054745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260509T054800Z UID:72889-1784746800-1784750400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | A Full Heart: Gratitude and Contentment in Daily Life DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-a-full-heart-gratitude-and-contentment-in-daily-life-22-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-Gratitude_GP_Class_BMI-Square.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260723T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260723T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260223T045111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034312Z UID:70806-1784833200-1784840400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:God of Carnage\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/god-of-carnage-23-july/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260724T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260724T123000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260520T015158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260617T043709Z UID:73020-1784890800-1784896200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Arresting the Ephemeral: The Beautiful Usefulness of a Victorian Herbarium DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/arresting-the-ephemeral-the-beautiful-usefulness-of-a-victorian-herbarium/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Rare Book Week,Talk,The Collection ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sq-promo-events-arresting.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260724T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260724T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260223T053244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034253Z UID:70815-1784919600-1784926800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:God of Carnage\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/god-of-carnage-24-july/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T160000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260223T053557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034233Z UID:70819-1784988000-1784995200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:God of Carnage\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/god-of-carnage-25-july/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260223T053430Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034212Z UID:70817-1785006000-1785013200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:God of Carnage\, A Ballarat National Theatre Production DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/god-of-carnage-25-july-2/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat National Theatre,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/God-of-Carnage-BMI-Square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Ballarat National Theatre":MAILTO:contact@bnt.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260729T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260416T050939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T012750Z UID:72260-1785348000-1785353400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Phillipa Nefri Clark DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/phillipa-nefri-clark/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sp-promo-talks-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260801T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260801T235000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260612T030356Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260613T032955Z UID:73553-1785610800-1785628200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Anything for a Mate: Charity Ball DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/anything-for-a-mate-charity-ball/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:external event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260803T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260803T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260520T044923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T232801Z UID:73049-1785780000-1785785400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Margaret Hickety DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/in-conversation-with-margaret-hickety/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sp-promo-talks-margaret-hickey.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260807T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260807T190000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260615T050825Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260617T043625Z UID:73589-1786125600-1786129200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:150 Years of Botanical Communication DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/150-years-of-botanical-communication/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Talk,The Collection ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sq-promo-events-arresting.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260807T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260807T204000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20251205T035734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T034032Z UID:69366-1786131000-1786135200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Blake Pavey: A Bit Scared DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/blake-pavey-a-bit-scared/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sq-promo-blake-pavey.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="KEG Touring":MAILTO:Contact@kegtouring.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260812T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260324T234500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T041738Z UID:71535-1786557600-1786563000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Sophie Green DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/sophie-green/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sp-promo-talks-sophie-green.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260813T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260813T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260129T051107Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T033912Z UID:70430-1786649400-1786654800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | The Blue Trail DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-the-blue-trail/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-blue-trail-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260905T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260906T140000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260604T032725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260619T033730Z UID:73413-1788602400-1788703200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Book Sale | Reward yourself with some excellent Spring reading DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-spring-bmi/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/square-promo-spring-book-sale.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260906T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260906T160000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260514T044101Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T035434Z UID:72995-1788703200-1788710400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Fashion Parade Fundraiser | Vintage & Collectables DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/fashion-parade-fundraiser-vintage-collectables/ 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:20260910T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260910T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260129T052341Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T033843Z UID:70438-1789068600-1789074000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Kōkā DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-koka/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/koka-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260923T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260923T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260618T020721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260619T021935Z UID:73660-1790186400-1790191800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with P. A. Swanborough DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/in-conversation-with-p-a-swanborough/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/sp-promo-talks-pa-swanborough-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261001T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261001T193000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260618T013735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T021255Z UID:73652-1790877600-1790883000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Michael Robotham DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/in-conversation-with-michael-robotham/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/sp-promo-talks-michael-robotham.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261008T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261008T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260129T054045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T033815Z UID:70446-1791487800-1791493200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Bound for Glory DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-bound-for-glory/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bound-for-glory-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261009T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261009T220000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260203T013254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T023230Z UID:70535-1791572400-1791583200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Telegraph Road - The Dire Straits Legacy: Matt Arthur and The Lazybones DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/telegraph-road-the-dire-straits-legacy/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/matt-arthur-sq-promo.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Matt Arthur Music":MAILTO:matt@mattarthurmusic.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261210T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261210T210000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260129T055545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T073342Z UID:70454-1796931000-1796936400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Smiley Gets a Gun DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-smiley-gets-a-gun/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/smiley-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261212T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261213T140000 DTSTAMP:20260619T141442 CREATED:20260619T034945Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260619T040024Z UID:73676-1797069600-1797170400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Book Sale | Reward yourself with some excellent Christmas reading DESCRIPTION:In Conversation with Mimi Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n May 7\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n6:00 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n7:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$11.78 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The House of Kwa \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mimi Kwa. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The dragon circles and swoops … a tiger running alone in the night … Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it\, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter? The collision was over the estate of Mimi’s beloved Aunt Theresa\, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this\, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa. One of a wealthy silk merchant’s 32 children\, Mimi’s father\, Francis\, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later\, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi’s mother\, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed\, chronic mental illness. Soon after\, ‘tiger’ Mimi arrived\, and her struggle with the past – and the dragon – began… \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riveting\, colourful and often darkly humorous\, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations\, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence\, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and f inally putting them to rest. Throughout\, her inspiration is Francis’s late older sister\, the jet-setting\, free-spirited Aunt Theresa\, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Praise for 'House of Kwa' \n \n ‘Revelatory and remarkable storytelling.’ Trent Dalton ‘Compelling\, memorable and vividly told\, this is a startling tale of the past\, its grip on the present\, and the battle to set yourself free.’ Richard Glover ‘An astonishing true tale that leaps across centuries and cultures to land with a thump in your heart.’ Lisa Millar ‘Heartbreaking and uplifting.’ Meaghan Wilson Anastasios ‘Mimi’s heroic saga illustrates what makes us the multi-cultural nation we are today.’ Mike Munro \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the author \n \n Mimi Kwa has been an Australian journalist and television newsreader on the ABC and Nine Network for twenty years as well as an actor and presenter appearing in commercials and FOXTEL\, STAN and ABC TV series. She and her partner\, John\, live in Melbourne\, with their four children\, a cavoodle and a Burmese cat. Mimi loves to paint and write. This memoir is her first book. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price includes booking fee & gst\, also includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to support the staging of our author events. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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-reward-yourself-with-some-excellent-christmas-reading/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/square-promo-christmas-26.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR