BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.16.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250509T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250509T210000 DTSTAMP:20250430T042710Z CREATED:20250318T025201Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T042710Z UID:62953-1746819000-1746824400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-amazing-lucas-girls/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/A-Hs-LG-hero320-promo-square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Lost Voices":MAILTO:lostvoicesnsw.au@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T150000 DTSTAMP:20250417T041141Z CREATED:20250415T235811Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T041141Z UID:64553-1746885600-1746889200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Seedpod Ballarat 2025 | Gemma Cavoli - 'Oubliette' | Artist in Residence 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/seedpod-oubliette-session-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Artist in Residence,Australian Heritage Festival,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/oubliette-sq-promo-v2.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Punctum":MAILTO:hq@punctum.com.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T143000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T160000 DTSTAMP:20250430T042629Z CREATED:20250320T034846Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T042629Z UID:63030-1746887400-1746892800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 2 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-amazing-lucas-girls-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/A-Hs-LG-hero320-promo-square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Lost Voices":MAILTO:lostvoicesnsw.au@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250510T210000 DTSTAMP:20250430T042820Z CREATED:20250320T035214Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T042820Z UID:63032-1746905400-1746910800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Amazing Lucas Girls by acclaimed playwright Cate Whittaker - Session 3 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/the-amazing-lucas-girls-3/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Australian Heritage Festival,Theatre,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/A-Hs-LG-hero320-promo-square.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Lost Voices":MAILTO:lostvoicesnsw.au@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T193000 DTSTAMP:20250321T024750Z CREATED:20250304T015324Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T024750Z UID:62426-1747245600-1747251000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Darcy Tindale 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/darcy-tindale/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/darcy-tindale-sq-promp.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250514T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T022228Z CREATED:20250211T002910Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T022228Z UID:61905-1747249200-1747252800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Find Your Flow: A Buddhist Guide to an Effortless 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-14-may-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-promo3.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T203000 DTSTAMP:20250515T222312Z CREATED:20250210T002600Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T222312Z UID:61825-1747423800-1747427400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-16-may-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T213000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250516T223000 DTSTAMP:20250515T222405Z CREATED:20250210T001340Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T222405Z UID:61817-1747431000-1747434600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival - NOW FULLY BOOKED 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-16-may-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250517T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250517T230000 DTSTAMP:20250508T064422Z CREATED:20250114T223422Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T064422Z UID:61199-1747506600-1747522800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Dinner - This event has now been CANCELLED. 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/melba-opera-trust-dinner/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Art programs,Australian Heritage Festival,Ballarat Heritage Festival,Important Dates,Live Music,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/about-dame-nellie-melba.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T160000 DTSTAMP:20250515T060728Z CREATED:20250114T215837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T060728Z UID:61189-1747576800-1747584000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Dame Nellie Melba Celebration Performance 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/melba-opera-trust/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Art programs,Australian Heritage Festival,Ballarat Heritage Festival,Classical Music,Important Dates,Live Music,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mot-performance-promo-sq.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T203000 DTSTAMP:20250515T223444Z CREATED:20250210T002829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T223444Z UID:61827-1747596600-1747600200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-18-may-1/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_908662326866361-e1708918930337.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T213000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250518T223000 DTSTAMP:20250423T003042Z CREATED:20250210T012647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T003042Z UID:61846-1747603800-1747607400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tour\, Ballarat Heritage Festival 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-bhf-18-may-2/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Night Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/received_265285705882698-e1708919200874.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T120000 DTSTAMP:20250321T070405Z CREATED:20250317T030244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070405Z UID:62929-1747738800-1747742400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 1 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest-1/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250520T150000 DTSTAMP:20250321T070422Z CREATED:20250113T050453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070422Z UID:61152-1747749600-1747753200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 2 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T110000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T120000 DTSTAMP:20250321T070359Z CREATED:20250317T031650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T070359Z UID:62934-1747825200-1747828800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Tour 3 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-ballarat-heritage-fest-3/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Fundraiser,Important Dates,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250521T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T022213Z CREATED:20250408T020418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T022213Z UID:64321-1747854000-1747857600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Healthy Habits for A Happy Mind 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-21-may/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Healthy-Habits-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T201500 DTSTAMP:20250422T060122Z CREATED:20250409T021703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T060122Z UID:64409-1748025000-1748031300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Blazing Saddles 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-blazing-saddles/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/blazing-saddles-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T203000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250523T224500 DTSTAMP:20250422T060211Z CREATED:20250417T020931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T060211Z UID:64570-1748032200-1748040300@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Chinatown 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-chinatown/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promos-chinatown2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T110000 DTSTAMP:20250522T034211Z CREATED:20250520T051053Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T034211Z UID:65020-1748080800-1748084400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Whispers from the Garden | In Partnership with Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens Inc. 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/whispers-from-the-garden/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Art programs,Ballarat Heritage Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T122000 DTSTAMP:20250507T035052Z CREATED:20250417T024436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250507T035052Z UID:64583-1748080800-1748089200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:The Vegas 70 returns to Ballarat | Ballarat Heritage Festival | Mary Poppins 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/vegas-70-mary-poppins/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Film,Fundraiser ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promos-mary-poppins.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T163000 DTSTAMP:20250428T040455Z CREATED:20250424T001228Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T040455Z UID:64688-1748098800-1748104200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Open House Melbourne Presents\, Heritage Conversations: A Life in photos - John Gollings 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/a-life-in-photos-john-gollings/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/john-gollings.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Open House Melbourne":MAILTO:info@ohm.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T200000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250524T210000 DTSTAMP:20250423T060001Z CREATED:20250423T040828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T060001Z UID:64663-1748116800-1748120400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Wizard Oil and Wonders: Frank Weston the Wizard Oil Prince 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/wizard-oil-and-wonders/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Ballarat Heritage Festival,Festival,Theatre Production ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/square-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250525T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250525T173000 DTSTAMP:20250516T034922Z CREATED:20250422T011809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T034922Z UID:64638-1748181600-1748194200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Sweet Sounds for the Otways 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/sweet-sounds-of-the-otways/ LOCATION:VIC CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sq-promo-otways.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T193000 DTSTAMP:20250321T013932Z CREATED:20250313T021402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T013932Z UID:62648-1748455200-1748460600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Nicole Alexander 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/nicole-alexander/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sq-promo-nicole-alexander.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250528T200000 DTSTAMP:20250408T022528Z CREATED:20250408T022323Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T022528Z UID:64331-1748458800-1748462400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Healthy Habits for A Happy Mind 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-series-28-may/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Healthy-Habits-square-promo.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Kadampa Meditation":MAILTO:info@kadampa.org.au END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250529T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250529T200000 DTSTAMP:20250506T012923Z CREATED:20250506T005821Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T012923Z UID:64894-1748545200-1748548800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ivan Aristeguieta: All Bangers No Mash 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ivan-aristeguieta/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BANG_BALL_SQUARE.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250531T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T140000 DTSTAMP:20250409T012549Z CREATED:20250409T000912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250409T012549Z UID:64380-1748685600-1748786400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Winter Book Sale | Stockpile your winter reading 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/book-sale-june-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Culture,Fundraiser,Library,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-sale-winter-sq-promo-pexels-clem-onojeghuo-375892-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250531T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250531T214500 DTSTAMP:20250520T005051Z CREATED:20250512T012032Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T005051Z UID:64934-1748718000-1748727900@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Sweet Mona's Choir | On Tour: Let the Good Times Roll CD Launch 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/sweet-monas-choir/ 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/2025/05/SMC-LTGTR-BMI-SquareImage.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T094500 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T150000 DTSTAMP:20250528T003449Z CREATED:20250526T015210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250528T003449Z UID:65124-1748771100-1748790000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballart Pride Market 2025 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-pride-market-25/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Pride,Festival ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ballarat-pride-month-sq-promo.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250603T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250701T150000 DTSTAMP:20250527T053004Z CREATED:20250113T050930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T053004Z UID:61155-1748959200-1751382000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Series 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 Library closure Saturday 4 July\n The Library will be closed on Saturday 4 July  and... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n NAIDOC Week\n NAIDOC 2026 National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week | The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood.\n The Secrets of Provence Daisy Wood Provence\,1940 Thrown out of... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Message from the Chair | BMI Board of Directors | July 2026\n Membership Contriubtions I imagine many of you have received requests... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-may-jun-2025/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR