BMI's Twilight Talks Return
by Evie Lamb, Ballarat Times
The Twilight Talks series is back at the the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute this month with more tales from Henry Lawson’s 1887 exploration of local Eureka Rebellion sites.
Taking place on Wednesday 15 April, the first talk will feature guest presenter Hedley Thomson
who last year provided a very well-received talk about Lawson’s 1887 visit to Ballarat.
For this month’s first cab off the rank, Thomson will further explore the iconic Australian writer’s Eureka Rebellion sites visit which fits nicely with the new theme for this season’s returningseries – Focus on Ballarat.
“His presentation last time when he quoted from Lawson’s works and acted some scenes was a real hit that the large audience really enjoyed,” series convenor Phil Roberts said.
“As a result we asked him for a re-run.” This time Thomson will take a look at the impact of Lawson’s
visit and the events of Eureka generally on the writer’s long literary career.
Supported by the Community Bank Buninyong, the Twilight Talks series offers a chance to hear from a line-up of knowledgeable guest presenters as they delve into various intriguing and lesser-known aspects of Ballarat’s past.
For the 22 April talk, Amethyst May and Garry Snowden will take a look at the people and stories
behind names on Ballarat Avenue of Honour plaques.
The author of Dickie Larsen’s Pumpkin & Other Stories, Geoff Carr, will present the 29 April
talk that will focus on Nostalgic Memories of Stawell and Ballarat in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Wednesday 6 May talk will feature BMI Heritage Collection Curator Ellen Becker presenting
What We Watched Before Cinema: Entertainments at the Mechanics’ Hall, 1863-1919.
The Wednesday evening talks are an hour long and start at 5.30pm sharp.
