BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250715T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250715T150000 DTSTAMP:20250528T005007Z CREATED:20250527T053759Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250528T005007Z UID:65236-1752588000-1752591600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Winter Festival 15 July 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/day-tours-ballarat-winter-festival-2/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Ballarat Winter Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250716T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250716T193000 DTSTAMP:20250714T011514Z CREATED:20250604T015536Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T011514Z UID:65475-1752688800-1752694200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Irma Gold | This event has now been CANCELLED due to low ticket sales 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/irma-gold/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Ballarat Winter Festival,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/irma-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250716T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250716T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T035944Z CREATED:20250408T035652Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T035944Z UID:64363-1752692400-1752696000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations for A Clear Mind 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-16-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Clear-Mind-Urban-Ballarat-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250718T123000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250718T153000 DTSTAMP:20250625T033649Z CREATED:20250625T032957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T033649Z UID:65910-1752841800-1752852600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250718T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250718T213000 DTSTAMP:20250625T032911Z CREATED:20240717T012721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T032911Z UID:57382-1752858000-1752874200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250719T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250719T213000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063216Z CREATED:20250624T031631Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063216Z UID:65790-1752919200-1752960600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250720T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250720T200000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063107Z CREATED:20250624T050147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063107Z UID:65830-1753003800-1753041600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-3/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250721T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250721T213000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063213Z CREATED:20250624T032442Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063213Z UID:65793-1753089300-1753133400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250722T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250722T180000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063205Z CREATED:20250624T034613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063205Z UID:65803-1753175700-1753207200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T210000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063153Z CREATED:20250624T035330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063153Z UID:65806-1753262100-1753304400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-3/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T042633Z CREATED:20250408T042521Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T042633Z UID:64378-1753297200-1753300800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Meditations for A Clear Mind 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-23-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Clear-Mind-Urban-Ballarat-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250724T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250724T163000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063134Z CREATED:20250624T035700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063134Z UID:65807-1753348500-1753374600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-4/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250725T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250725T163000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063123Z CREATED:20250624T042305Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063123Z UID:65813-1753441200-1753461000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-5/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250726T091500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250726T183000 DTSTAMP:20250626T062951Z CREATED:20250624T064136Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T062951Z UID:65868-1753521300-1753554600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-9/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250727T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250727T180000 DTSTAMP:20250625T050048Z CREATED:20250624T044813Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T050048Z UID:65825-1753624800-1753639200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Schimmel Pianoforte Schedule - Celebrating Chopin 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/rsss-pianoforte-schedule-7/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/chopin.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250728T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250728T173000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063100Z CREATED:20250624T052537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063100Z UID:65835-1753695000-1753723800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-4/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250729T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250729T163000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063035Z CREATED:20250624T054647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063035Z UID:65841-1753781400-1753806600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-5/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T190000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063024Z CREATED:20250624T060939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063024Z UID:65852-1753867800-1753902000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-6/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T193000 DTSTAMP:20250730T001534Z CREATED:20250715T014238Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250730T001534Z UID:66248-1753900200-1753903800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Rare Book Week Melbourne | Rare Books in Mechanics' Institutes: Uncover Hidden Treasures 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/rare-books-mechanics-institutes/ LOCATION:Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library\, 39 Saint Edmonds Road\, Prahran\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:About us,Important Dates,Rare Book Week,The Collection ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG39-BMI-crop.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T041032Z CREATED:20250408T040007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041032Z UID:64365-1753902000-1753905600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others 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-30-july/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250731T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250731T160000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063012Z CREATED:20250624T062123Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063012Z UID:65855-1753956000-1753977600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-7/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T160000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T203000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063002Z CREATED:20250624T063047Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063002Z UID:65863-1754064000-1754080200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-8/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T210000 DTSTAMP:20250626T063828Z CREATED:20250625T043529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T063828Z UID:65954-1754127000-1754168400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Freemasons Vocal Schedule & Championship Challenge 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/rsss-vocal-schedule-9-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T143000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250803T203000 DTSTAMP:20250626T062854Z CREATED:20250624T235217Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T062854Z UID:65881-1754231400-1754253000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Heats 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/rsss-aria-heats/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Royal South Street Society ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250804T213000 DTSTAMP:20250722T042831Z CREATED:20250625T000219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250722T042831Z UID:65888-1754335800-1754343000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Royal South Street Society | Herald Sun Aria Semi Final 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/rsss-aria-semi-final/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Important Dates,Live Music,Royal South Street Society,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sq-promos.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T193000 DTSTAMP:20250616T021316Z CREATED:20250527T025831Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T021316Z UID:65197-1754503200-1754508600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In conversation with Chloe Adams & Alli Sinclair 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/chloe-adams-alli-sinclair/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Ballarat Winter Festival,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promo-chloe-and-alli-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250806T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T041408Z CREATED:20250408T041052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041408Z UID:64372-1754506800-1754510400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others 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-6-august/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250810T160000 DTSTAMP:20250805T061800Z CREATED:20250512T035956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T061800Z UID:64945-1754834400-1754841600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Little Brass Band | BMI Fundraiser: Cheers\, Raise a Glass to Brass DESCRIPTION: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/little-brass-band/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/little-brass-band-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250813T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T041537Z CREATED:20250408T041113Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T041537Z UID:64373-1755111600-1755115200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | How to Love Yourself & Others 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-13-august/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Love-Yourseld-Others-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250815T193000 DTSTAMP:20250811T045630Z CREATED:20250811T041345Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T045630Z UID:66767-1755280800-1755286200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Secret History of Sharks with Professor John Long | National Science Week DESCRIPTION: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/the-secret-history-of-sharks/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Science Week,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sq-promo-the-secret-history-of-sharks.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR