BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20230401T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20230930T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241204T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241204T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185514 CREATED:20240815T032259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032446Z UID:58397-1733338800-1733344200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-4-december-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:20241205T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T223000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185514 CREATED:20240121T233015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240520T015210Z UID:50320-1733419800-1734042600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-dec-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:20241211T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185514 CREATED:20240815T032420Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T032555Z UID:58398-1733943600-1733949000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Daily Rituals for Inner Peace DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-11-december-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:20241211T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241211T211500 DTSTAMP:20260416T185514 CREATED:20241111T035654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192738Z UID:59851-1733943600-1733951700@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Medieval to Metal Rockumentary Film Series: 'Don't Look Back' 1967 DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/dont-look-back-1967/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/humanitix-dob-e1731297748218.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T223000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185514 CREATED:20241126T013229Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241126T030544Z UID:60175-1734024600-1734042600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-dec-24-12-dec/ 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:20241212T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241212T210000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20240130T012706Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T121224Z UID:50650-1734031800-1734037200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Smiley DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-smiley/ 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/smiley-2-e1706578579617.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241214T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241214T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241204T221030Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151210Z UID:60511-1734168600-1734192000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241215T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241215T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241205T032559Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151204Z UID:60546-1734255000-1734278400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-15/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241219T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241219T150000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241205T032921Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151201Z UID:60549-1734602400-1734620400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-19/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241220T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241220T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241205T040517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151158Z UID:60566-1734688800-1734710400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-20/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241221T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241221T160000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241205T040653Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151154Z UID:60568-1734773400-1734796800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Vintage Christmas Festival at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vintage-christmas-21/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Christmas,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-square-promo-v6.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250115T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250115T204500 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241113T003024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192558Z UID:59922-1736967600-1736973900@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Medieval to Metal Rockumentary Film Series: 'This is Spinal Tap' 1984 DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/this-is-spinal-tap-1984/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/spinal-tap-square.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250116T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250626T223000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250107T014921Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T030852Z UID:60938-1737048600-1750977000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-2025/ 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:20250122T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250122T204000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241113T005429Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T192735Z UID:59934-1737572400-1737578400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:'Gimme Shelter' 1970 | THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TECH ISSUES DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/gimme-shelter-1970/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art Gallery of Ballarat,BMI Produced Event,Film,Important Dates ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mich-jagger-square.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250124T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250124T230000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250110T013352Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163216Z UID:61048-1737747000-1737759600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:HIP HOP ELEMENTS DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/hip-hop-elements-bmi/ 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/2025/01/sqaure-promo-hip-hop.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250129T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250129T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241216T233250Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T151012Z UID:60722-1738177200-1738182600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Finding Joy: Meditation in a Busy Life - Public Talk with Gen Kelsang Rabten DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/finding-joy/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:kadampa,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Finding-Joy-Ballarat.webp ORGANIZER;CN="KMC Australia & Melbourne":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250205T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250205T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250106T012015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161202Z UID:60892-1738782000-1738787400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-1/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250207T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250207T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250110T034631Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163211Z UID:61064-1738953000-1738960200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Live: Olybird and the Milla Williams Duo DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/olybird-milla-williams-duo/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:BMI Live,Important Dates,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_0066A.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250209T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250209T173000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241113T233828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163224Z UID:59974-1739113200-1739122200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Adam Harvey | Live at the BMI DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/adam-harvey/ 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/2024/11/rdKZB_7g-socials.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250212T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250212T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250106T014304Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161159Z UID:60901-1739386800-1739392200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-2/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250213T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250213T210000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250203T001511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T113214Z UID:61630-1739475000-1739480400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | KNEECAP DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-kneecap/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/kneecap-square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250218T193000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241202T031650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160628Z UID:60438-1739901600-1739907000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Jane Cafarella DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/jane-cafarella/ 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/2024/12/jane-cafarella-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250219T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250219T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250106T014520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T161156Z UID:60903-1739991600-1739997000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | New Beginnings: How to Start Meditating DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-new-beginnings-3/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-beginnings-squre-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250221T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250221T210000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250121T235526Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T163205Z UID:61399-1740166200-1740171600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Live: Hot Club Swing & Amie Brûlée DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/hot-club-swing-amie-brulee/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:BMI Live,Important Dates,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/udwcV2RW-e1738021755508.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250225T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250225T200000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250109T010836Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T160554Z UID:61027-1740506400-1740513600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Megan Brown & Lucy Sussex DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/megan-brown-lucy-sussex/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-megan-brown.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T183000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250108T015354Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113129Z UID:60976-1740591000-1740594600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1\, Special Event | Dancers on the Sea by Gabrielle Samson DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-atauro-timor-leste/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-dancers-on-the-sea.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250226T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250106T014730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T113222Z UID:60905-1740596400-1740601800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | The Path of Peace: Three Ways to a Simpler Life DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-26-feb-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-path-to-peace.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250305T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250305T190000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250108T035746Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T121648Z UID:61006-1741197600-1741201200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:A BMI Fundraising Public Talk | The world in 2025 and beyond with Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-world-in-2025-geoffrey-blainey/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/geoffrey-blainey-book-cover-before-i-forget-promo-square.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250305T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250305T203000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20250210T054914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T113211Z UID:61868-1741201200-1741206600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | The Path of Peace: Three Ways to a Simpler Life DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-5-mar-25/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/square-promo-path-to-peace.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250312T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250312T183000 DTSTAMP:20260416T185515 CREATED:20241107T052354Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250325T113149Z UID:59773-1741800600-1741804200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2025\, Season 1 | Ballarat's Changing Scene - Ballarat's Growth: Infrastructure Pressures DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\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$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is 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 $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \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 More Twilight Talks \n \n \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 ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-ballarats-growth/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Important Dates,Members,Talk,Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/square-promo-individuals-infrastructure.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR