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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241021T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241021T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240806T032513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T031057Z
UID:58083-1729515600-1729522800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Chris Hammer
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/chris-hammer/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/chris-hammer-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240703T005239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211930Z
UID:56852-1729704600-1729708200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 3 | Life So Full of Promise: vivid\, compelling stories about Australia's lost generation.
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-life-so-full-of-promise/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/square-promo-life-so-full-of-promise.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241023T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T030646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T012400Z
UID:58375-1729710000-1729715400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | 3 Ways to Improve Your Life
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-23-october-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Three-Ways-to-Improve-1080p-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241025T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241025T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20241006T222136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T221156Z
UID:59326-1729884600-1729888200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 1
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-oct-25/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241025T213000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241025T223000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20241006T223714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T221153Z
UID:59338-1729891800-1729895400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 2
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-oct-25-2/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241026T160000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241026T173000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240925T023950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T222206Z
UID:59022-1729958400-1729963800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In conversation with John Safran | Now moved to The George Hotel
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/john-safran/
LOCATION:The George Hotel\, 27 Lydiard Street North\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/JOHN-SAFRAN.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Collins Booksellers on Lydiard":MAILTO:ballaratlydiard@collinsbooks.com.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241027T140000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241027T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240627T234912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T221158Z
UID:56044-1730037600-1730044800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Fashion Parade Fundraiser | Vintage & Collectables
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/fashion-parade-fundraiser-vintage/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Vintage & Collectables
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/promotional-square-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T180000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240723T055539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T023001Z
UID:57574-1730311200-1730318400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Benjamin Stevenson
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/benjamin-stevenson/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Comedy,Fundraiser,Library,Victorian Seniors Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/benjamin-stevenson-promo-squre-1.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241030T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T031312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T012357Z
UID:58383-1730314800-1730320200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | 3 Ways to Improve Your Life
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-30-october-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Three-Ways-to-Improve-1080p-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241101T200000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241101T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240424T033006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T022254Z
UID:54249-1730491200-1730498400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Daniel Champagne | Ballarat
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/daniel-champagne-ballart/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/square-from-poster.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241102T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241102T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240805T030018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T051054Z
UID:58054-1730574000-1730577600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Luke Heggie | Grogan | Ballarat
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/luke-heggie-grogan/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/heggie-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241106T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241106T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240924T015619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211928Z
UID:58950-1730914200-1730917800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: The archaeology of a Goldrush city -  identifying\, protecting and managing Ballarat’s buried relics and ruins.
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-uncovering-the-past-archaeology/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Festival,Fundraiser,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/jerremy-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241106T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241106T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T031409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T012354Z
UID:58384-1730919600-1730925000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | 3 Ways to Improve Your Life
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-6-november-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Three-Ways-to-Improve-1080p-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241107T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241128T223000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240121T232752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240520T015142Z
UID:50317-1731000600-1732833000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-nov-24/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241110T140000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241110T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240917T235139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211325Z
UID:58801-1731247200-1731254400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Jackson Dahlenburg: Album Launch: With Love | Debut Solo Piano Album
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/jackson-dahlenburg/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/jackson-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T180000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240723T042221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211640Z
UID:57552-1731348000-1731355200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Tea Cooper
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/tea-cooper/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tea-cooper-promo-squre-final.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241111T204500
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240923T022643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211627Z
UID:58911-1731353400-1731357900@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Jack Rutter | Live at the BMI
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/jack-rutter/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-jack-rutter.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Concerts Australia":MAILTO:michael@concertsaustralia.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241113T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241113T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T031557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T015154Z
UID:58387-1731524400-1731529800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-13-november-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241114T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241114T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240130T011936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211643Z
UID:50641-1731612600-1731618000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | EO
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-eo/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/eo-e1706577696477.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240822T060115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211634Z
UID:58493-1731751200-1731772800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Open Garden & Devonshire Tea - BMI Fundraiser | Errard Hall
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/open-garden-fundraiser/
LOCATION:Errard Hall\, Errard Street North\, Ballarat Central\, City of Ballarat\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Urban Agriculture Month
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/square-promo-v2.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240801T232909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211637Z
UID:57891-1731762000-1731765600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat: Writing about the Future | Kate Mildenhall in conversation with Van Badham
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-1/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/stella-square-mildenhall.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241116T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20241002T020132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211624Z
UID:59146-1731769200-1731772800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Stella Day Out Ballarat: Travel Writing | Adriane Howell and Favel Parrett in conversation with Fiona Sweet.
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/stella-day-out-2/
LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Important Dates,Library,Stella Day Out
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/stella-square-travel2.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240924T024501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211058Z
UID:58970-1732123800-1732127400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: How James became King
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-uncovering-the-past-3/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-brian-omalley.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241120T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T032033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032134Z
UID:58393-1732129200-1732134600@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-20-november-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T113000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T153000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T010540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T191545Z
UID:58347-1732275000-1732289400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Golf Day Fundraiser | Join Us at Snake Valley Golf Club
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/golf-day-2024/
LOCATION:Snake Valley Golf Club\, 341 Chepstowe Road\, Snake Valley\, Victoria\, 3351\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/golf-day-square-promo-FINAL.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T200000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241122T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240910T030313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211629Z
UID:58645-1732305600-1732312800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Get Rhythm: The Johnny Cash & June Carter Show | THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/johnny-cash-june-carter-show/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Live Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/johnny-cash-square-promo.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20241006T223241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211621Z
UID:59334-1732390200-1732393800@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 3
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-nov-23/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T213000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241123T223000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20241006T223455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211619Z
UID:59336-1732397400-1732401000@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour 4
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-nov-23-2/
LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Night Tours,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T173000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240924T031552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T211055Z
UID:58976-1732728600-1732732200@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat Notoriety
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-uncovering-the-past-4/
LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Library,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/square-promo-john-smyth.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241127T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T162557
CREATED:20240815T032149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032253Z
UID:58395-1732734000-1732739400@ballaratmi.org.au
SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace
DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n		\n			February 26\n\n	\n\n	  @  \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n		\n\n\n\n	\n	  -  \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n	\n				\n				\n				\n									Bar open at 5pm 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					\n$9 – $13 				\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n									Humffray Room 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n										\n						\n									Get tickets\n					\n					\n								\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					Dancers on the Sea: Stories from Atauro Island\, Timor-Leste \n1994-2002				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Speaker: Gabrielle Samson\, Author				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Gabrielle Samson Gabrielle\, a writer of fiction and memoir\, has won national prizes for her short stories and has co-written a radio play produced by the ABC. She has lived and worked in education and community development in Australia\, Indonesia\, PNG\, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Gabrielle now lives on a community nature refuge in southern Queensland where she writes\, reads\, gardens\, listens to music and attempts playing it. She teaches Indonesian language\, is a U3A tutor of a Warwick writing group and is a member of the Carindale Writers Group (Brisbane). Gabrielle has a degree in Anthropology and English Literature and post graduate diplomas in Education and Special Needs Education. Gabrielle lived and worked on Atauro from 1996 – 2008 and beyond. Her memoir ‘Dancers On The Sea’ – Stories from Ataúro Island Timor Leste (1994 – 2002) – was published in October\, 2023. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n												\n																					Gabrielle Samson\n										\n									\n				\n												\n																					Elizeo (Azyu) | Book Art\n										\n									\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Dancers on the Sea This story tells of a woman’s life on Atauro Island\, learning its history and culture as she worked with the community to improve living conditions through education. The memoir shares the stories of some of the people with whom she lived in a time of great change…During the period of East Timor’s occupation by an Indonesian military regime which was challenged by a fierce resistance movement\, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for his community.Supported by the university\, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island of Atauro\, to live in the community as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions. It doesn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island\, its people and an Indonesian co-worker\, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island. Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country of East Timor struggled for\, and achieved\, its independence and became Timor-Leste. “A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion…beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa\, Readalot Reviewer 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																														\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Reviews and comments about Dancers On The Sea Christine Perkins (ex AVI Timor)‘Oh Gabrielle\, I have just finished reading Dancers On The Sea\, thank you. Your writing is evocative and engaging. So many of my own memories of Atauro and the people there have resurfaced. I have laughed and often read with tears on my cheeks.. The telling of the love between you and Anton was beautiful and the honest way which you have described Timor-Leste and Timorese is powerful. I have read many books about Timor and they are mostly descriptive but your ability to be reflective and to also lead the reader to see\, hear\, and feel the environment is amazing. Thank you again\, Christine’ Christopher Dureau‘I’m reading it at the moment sitting in Broome. And loving it all. Congratulations’. Lansell Taudevin (ex-AusAid Timor)‘Gabrielle was one who lived and worked with the people of Atauro. She spent over a decade there\, quietly and unassumingly going about her daily tasks without fanfare or accolades. She was a true advocate of empathetic humanity. She based her life and work on the most noble of human virtues: love for and understanding of\, the people with whom she worked. She worked out of love – for and from them.Her book reflects these qualities. They have nothing to do with ‘look at me\, look at me!’ Her contribution arises from a perspective that can only arise from love.These qualities underpin her writing. The book flows like dancers on the sea. The love story is intertwined with a real love story with her Anton. You can sense the character she has and be overwhelmed by her sincerity.Of all the books I have read about Timor Leste\, this is by far the most moving and genuine as it evolves from a deep understanding of the people amongst whom she lived and loved.When I lived in Timor\, I used to refer to her as the Angel Gabriel. I was right.’ Jenny Toisuta (ex Satya Wacana University UKSW\, Salatiga)‘I received my copy of your book two days ago and couldn’t put it down – I finished it last night. It is truly beautiful. . . .beautiful descriptions of the sea\, of the moon and the sunrises and of the Atauro people of all ages working together and singing as they pulled the boats out of the water for repairs\,or the Bikeli fishermen singing as they passed\, catching the lobster with Pak Vasco. It was very useful to have a brief introduction to the history of East Timor under the Portuguese and the divvying up of parts of the Archipelago between the Dutch and the Portuguese. The more nuanced picture you painted of East Timor under Indonesia will\, I hope\, lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of people like Anton and the Indonesian teachers and public servants who were really committed to making a difference.’ Klaas Vandersluis‘Just reading your book\, moving and beautiful\, lots of heart . . . it is a fully embodied love and adventure story!!! You bare who you are from page to page!’ Sarah Moon‘Thank you for promoting the documentation of this corner of history!’ Felix Nahak (Satya Wacana University\, Java)‘Selamat Bu\, semoga bermanfaat khususnya buat masyarakat Atauro dan teman-teman yang pernah bersama Ibu dalam kurung waktu tersebut. God BLESS You. (Congratulations Ibu\, I hope this is useful for the Atauro community and the friends that were with you during that time. God Bless You)’ Mane Bonito Feto Bonita‘You are their hero. People from Atauro Island want to say thank you.’ Sieneke Martin (ex Oxfam and Caritas Timor)‘What a beautiful book ! Fantastic. I read it in one go and have now lent it to our friend\, Jose Simsa.’ Bibi Ahmed (ex-community worker\, Timor)‘Gabrielle\,I want to write to you about how much I loved your book. But I feel like I don’t even have the words to start to describe the effect it had on me. Seriously. It’s too big. But I really want to tell you how much I loved it. It’s the most moving book I have ever read in my entire life. It’s affected me in a way that no other book has. Like a punch in the guts that I can’t let go of. It could be partly because I share your deep love\, and connection to the people of East Timor (also through a previous connection to Indonesia). So your words\, your stories\, your observations and experiences hit me deep in the core of my guts\, with a deep black umbilical cord connection. You put words to the complexities\, mysteries and paradoxes of the East Timorese /Indonesian relationship\, the challenges of navigating cross cultural relationships and experiences and the inexpressible beauty of indigenous connection to nature\, ancestors\, knowledge\, and truth that I too have witnessed. I have never been affected so strongly by a book before. It really did grab me deep inside and hold me like I was actually there with you\, as if I was actually living the experiences you described so beautifully.I had to put it away for a while sometimes\, just to stave off the despair of the thought of it finishing.’ Christine Stark (U3A Reviewer\, Warwick)‘Dancers on the Sea is a page-turner that’s strangely soothing at the same time. The switching of topics and the information and descriptions that are included\, kept me wanting to read more\, right to the end. This was due to my curiosity about what comes next\, rather than the dread that fast-paced books often have. The book is loosely in chronological order\, allowing you to develop a sense of time and understanding of the changes and the people Gabrielle comes to know very well. Set within this over-arching story are rich and varied vignettes that provide vividly detailed snapshots of cultural and human-interest topics; revealing a fascinating and complex tapestry of lives on what first appears to be a tropical island with a small population living simple lifestyles.’ Sally Walvin (Brisbane)‘I recently read ‘Dancers on the Sea’\, a memoir by Gabrielle Samson. The book is set in East Timor before that country became independent.  It explores the extraordinary years Gabrielle spent on the remote Atauro Island during the last years of the resistance against Indonesia. I didn’t have a great knowledge on the history or politics of the Indonesian military regime.  However through the storytelling I found a balance of history and was inspired by the island life stories and intrigued by the cultural rituals that were so sensitively captured by Gabrielle. I really enjoyed this captivating story and was delighted by the moving love story that was entwined throughout.’ A wonderful read.  Elise Schuster (Australian Embassy\, Dili)‘I thoroughly enjoyed your book…any book written about Timor Leste is a treasure because of its rarity\, yours was so lush and poetic and human\, refreshing and enchanting\, but also illuminating for other malae for whom so many aspects of Timorese culture\, history and community remain mysteries. Thanks you for sharing your story and how it is entwined with the story of the hard-won restoration of Timorese independence. Dancers On The Sea should be essential reading for all Malae.’ 								\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n																\n															\n															\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					Tickets and Bookings 				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n									Tickets $9 BMI members & $13 general admittance\, plus bkg fee | These prices include gst. 								\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n										\n						\n									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					More Talks				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n							\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					BMI News				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n					\n            \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        Peg Rankin: A Journey of Faith and Resilience Peter Rankin... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Executive Manager Update – April 2026\n                        Executive Manager Update – Nev Ivey Since commencing at BMI\,... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Newsletter – April 2026\n                        Rosemary's New Releases and Recommendations | Author Talks - Live... \n                    \n        \n    \n        \n            \n                \n            \n        Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n                        What The Bones Know Kirstyn McDermott A child’s bones\, a... \n                    \n        \n    \n            \n                    \n                \n                    \n                    Load More
URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-27-november-24/
LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:kadampa
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daily-Rituals-for-Inner-Peace-Class.webp
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