Events - Lunch with Speaker

2024 Lunch with Speaker

Charles Zhang

Charles Zhang, a distinguished community leader and advocate for cultural heritage, will be presenting Ballarat’s Chinese History – What’s Happening Now and in the Future. As a current Board member of the Ballarat Chinese Library and a long-standing contributor to various cultural and community organizations, Charles brings a wealth of experience and passion for preserving and promoting Chinese heritage in Ballarat. His leadership roles, including past presidency of the Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat Inc. and the Rotary Club of Ballarat East, have strengthened community ties and fostered cultural understanding. With an impressive record of service across multiple organizations, including the Federation Chinese Association Vic and Ballarat Community Radio Station 3BBB Voice FM, Charles continues to be a driving force in advocating for the rich history and evolving contributions of the Chinese community in Ballarat.

As a proud Australian and recipient of the City of Ballarat’s Citizen of the Year award, Charles Zhang remains committed to shaping the future of Ballarat’s Chinese heritage. His presentation will explore ongoing initiatives aimed at preserving historical sites, enhancing cultural education, and fostering stronger community engagement. He will also discuss future projects that aim to celebrate and integrate Chinese heritage within Ballarat’s diverse community, ensuring that the contributions of Chinese Australians remain a vital part of the city’s identity. Through his extensive involvement in organizations such as CNY United and the Rotary Club, Charles continues to champion inclusivity, education, and cultural appreciation, making his insights invaluable for anyone interested in Ballarat’s past, present, and future.

Previous Lunch Speakers

2024 Lucheon - Anne Tudor

This year's Lunch with Speaker address was given by Anne Tudor OAM on Wednesday, May 29 at 12.00 noon. Anne spoke about her work in promoting awareness and greater understanding of dementia in Australia. Dementia is the leading cause of death for women, and 2nd most for men. Anne spoke of her journey with her partner Edie and the steps they took to build awareness of dementia, as well as playing key roles in the development of better assistance programs, especially in the Ballarat area.

For information about dementia and support services available in the Ballarat area please see the following websites: www.biggerhearts.com.au or the National Dementia Hotline on 1800 100 500. See also dementiafriendly.org.au for information of help to those wanting to assist family members or others.
2023 Luncheon - Christine Ball

The 2023 Lunch with Speaker presented by Dr Christine Ball AM on June 27. The lunch was attended by over 80 people at the Ballarat Yacht Club. Dr Ball is an anaesthetist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, co-convenor of the Master of Peri-Operative Medicine at Monash University and Honorary Curator of the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History since 1989. Entitled ‘Chloroform, cobras and the evolution of Modern Anaesthesia’, the talk focussed on the life and work of Joseph Clover, an English pioneer of early developments in the use of anaesthetics in surgery. Dr Ball traced the methods used from the 1840s to anaesthetize surgical patients, beginning with ether, moving to chloroform and later including nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Clover developed techniques and equipment to make chloroform safer to use and importantly established the specialization of anaesthesia and its relationship with surgeons. The paper included substantial images of medical identities, equipment and archives used to research historical developments. The full history can be found in Dr Ball’s absorbing 2021 book, The Chloroformist, published by the University of Melbourne.
2020 to 2022

The Lunch with Speaker functions could not be held from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic.
2019 Luncheon - Dr Misty Jenkins

The 2019 Lunch with Speaker was Dr Misty Jenkins who heads an Immunology Laboratory at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical research in Melbourne. Born and educated in Ballarat, Dr Jenkins completed her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. She spoke on the latest developments in treating brain cancer where CAR T cells are being engineered from a patient's own T cell to recognise and attack cancer cells.
2018 Luncheon - Judge Sara Hinchey

The 2018 Lunch with Speaker address was given by Judge Sara Hinchey, State Coroner, Victoria. She spoke about the role of the state coroner and the work conducted by the organisation, clarifying common misconceptions about what coroners actually do and explaining the range of cases investigated and how findings from these cases are used to improve the safety of the public.
2017 Luncheon - Kate Torney

The 2017 Lunch with Speaker address was presented by Kate Torney, CEO, State Library of Victoria. She spoke on the role of libraries in contemporary society and the major developments occurring in the State Library of Victoria over the next few years. The lunch was attended by one hundred guests.
2016 Luncheon - The Hon. Rob Knowles AO

The 2016 Lunch with Speaker address was presented by The Hon. Rob Knowles AO on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. He spoke on Bullying in the Professions. The Hon. Rob Knowles chaired the inquiry, set up in March, 2015, into the issues surrounding bullying conducted for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Rob Knowles is a former Victorian Health Minister and current Chair of the Royal Children's Hospital. He represented the Ballarat Province as Minister for Housing & Aged Care (1992-1996).
2015 Luncheon - Paul Sheahan

The Lunch with Speaker presenter was Paul Sheahan, on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The presentation was titled "Flotsam & Jetsam" and focused on the changing context for young people today and the way education needs to adjust approaches to engage effectively. 115 people attended.
2014 Luncheon - Wayne Rigg

The May 2014 Lunch with Speaker presenter was Wayne Rigg who spoke on his role working with the aviation arm of the Country Fire Authority. He spoke of the technology involved and the many challenges faced by those helping to fight fires from the air.
2013 Luncheon - Rev. Bryan Nichols

The September 2013 Lunch with Speaker presenter was Rev. Bryan Nichols who spoke on his role in Chaplaincy and as a Justice of the Peace. He also shared some of his interest in military history and travelling to former battlefield sites.
2013 Luncheon - Andrew Thomas

The March 2013 Lunch with Speaker presenter was Andrew Thomas, photographer and graphic designer speaking on "Wonderland of Waterfalls: A Roving Camera in Victoria's Highlands".