Guest Speakers at our Monthly Meeting
At most monthly meetings, we have a guest speaker. On this page, we will tell you about upcoming, and past guest speakers.
July 9, 2024
Janice Petrie: Trivia Quiz
August 13, 2024
Karen Toohey
Karen is the Australian Capital Territory's Commissioner for Human Rights.
September 10, 2024
Ruth Palavestor: Falls Prevention
Details to come.
Past Speakers/Events:
As we go forward, we will keep a record here of the talks given to the Club.
If you have any ideas for suitable Guest Speakers, please contact our Speaker Seeker. You'll find them listed on the Committee page.
June 11, 2024
Ambre Hammond: An Unorthodox Life In Music
Born in Cairns, Queensland Ambre (pronounced, Amber) Hammond has performed as a concert pianist for over 30 years throughout Australia, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Italy, France, Ireland, the USA, China, India, Thailand and South America.
To her list of accomplishments as internationalpianist, composer, producer, keynote speaker and philanthropist, Ambre recently added radio guest presenter - with ABC Classic FM.
Recordings of albums of her own compositions, including Reverie, Akasha, Night Flowers, and
Oblivion are available on disc and can be heard on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube.
Through her project Girl Piano Truck Ambre has brought classical piano to disadvantaged people in some of the world's poorest places - Belarus, East Timor,Thailand, Africa and the Philippines. These free concerts have taken place in orphanages, a mental asylum, schools, elderly citizens homes and even a rubbish dump where thousands of local villagers live and work- thus earning Ambre a nomination for Australian of the Year in 2016.
Sydneysiders may remember her performance in 2007 with the Sydney Symphony and James Morrison playing a Double Concerto for piano and trumpet, written especially for them by Hollywood great, Lalo Schifrin.
More recently Ambre has been occupied with more than 40 private piano students operating a successful music school in Sydney’s inner west.
In addition to already having several languages under her belt, (Italian, Spanish and Russian) Ambre is immersed in her second year of studying the Chinese language (Mandarin) ahead of a trip to China in 2024.
In early 2024 Ambre released her first documentary on music education. You can visit Ambre's website here.
May 14, 2024
Tim Kilby: Return of Rock’n’Roll Schtick
Tim has been a primary school teacher who taught in Sydney, Canberra, London, Mittagong, Victoria Falls and Marra Creek (good luck finding it on a map). His passions are travelling, horse racing, bushwalking, listening to the radio, and pop music. He's the presenter on Valley FM 89.5, of Oldies But Goodies- Tim;s Favourites with Tim Kilby. Oldies but Goodies? Sounds like US!
Tim is also a volunteer guide at the Botanic Gardens. He especially enjoys giving visual talks to groups about things vegetative or musical.
His presentation ,'Schtick' will take us on a trip from the 40's to the 90's,having a look at the amazing range of gimmicks pop performers have used to stand out from the crowd - moves, hairstyles, clothes, make-up, stage props and much more.
Tim took us for a trip down memory lane...
April 9, 2024
Colin Greef: Rebuilding Guitars, Building Lives
Colin Greef served in the Royal Navy for 11 years and the RAN for 22 years, serving on a number of ships. Spending a lot of time at sea, he asked some frequent guitar players in the mess to show him a few chords. That initial introduction got him hooked. Many years later after buying his first guitar, he found lots of pleasure in playing with a group of his friends.
For the past seven years Colin has been a member of the Canberra Veterans Music Group, a bunch of Veterans who get together just to play and have a sing-along. For the past four years he has been running his own project collecting guitars from members of the public, repairing them if need be, then donating them to Veterans, disadvantaged children and to homeless shelters. Colin stopped counting after giving away more than 400 guitars.
March 12, 2024
Painting Workshop: Maria Polmeer
February 13, 2024
Dr. Mark Lax: The Mutiny On The Bounty- The Real Story
After five months on Tahiti, master's mate Fletcher Christian led a mutiny on board the Bounty on 28 April 1789.
Eighteen mutineers set Captain Bligh and 18 of his loyal crewmen adrift in a small boat.
Bligh, however, was a skilled navigator and managed to sail them nearly 4000 miles to Timor, in the Dutch East Indies.
Join us, as Dr. Mark Lax goes deeper into those famous events, to tell us the real story of what happened on the Bounty.
Dr. Brad Tucker: Space Race 2
Dr Brad Tucker is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist, and currently a Research Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University.
One of Braad's current projects is the search for Planet X. Visit Brad's web page
November 14, 2023
The Return of Two Truths and A Lie, with Joan Munro
Some carefully selected members introduced themselves by stating two truths and one lie about themselves. The statements didn't have to be intimate, life-revealing things—just simple hobbies, interests, or past experiences that make each person unique. The lie can be outrageous and wacky, or it can sound like a truth to make it harder for the other participants.
One at a time, each person shared their statements. The rest of the group had to guess which statements were true and which statement was the lie. Talk about tall tales and true!
October 10, 2023
My Journey To Becoming a Writer: Karen Viggers
Karen Viggers is a novelist, wildlife veterinarian and podcaster. She is the author of four works of contemporary fiction: The Stranding, The Lightkeeper’s Wife, The Grass Castle and The Orchardist’s Daughter.
Karen’s novels explore contentious issues, such as dying with dignity, displacement of Indigenous people, wildlife rescue, kangaroo culling, clear-felling of forests, and scientific research on animals.
Karen is co-host of the Secrets From the Green Room podcast, and her fifth novel, Sidelines, will be published in January 2024. Karen’s books have been translated into several languages.
Join us at the Meeting to hear Karen's story. Some of her books will be available for sale. You can also visit Karen's website here.
September 12, 2023
Lids4Kids Talk: Tim Miller + Birthday Lunch
July 11, 2023
Ray Edmondson OAM: Australia's Film & Sound Heritage
Ray's career began in 1968 when he joined the National Library of Australia as a film reference librarian. As his experience and influence grew, so too did his opportunities for growth. Ray is a founder of Australia's National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), established in 1984.
The NFSA is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, and maintaining a national collection of audiovisual materials. The collection ranges from works created in the late nineteenth century to those made in the present day. The NFSA houses The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), the world's first full-length narrative feature film.
For Ray's outstanding contributions to audiovisual archiving, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1987 and made the NFSA's first Curator Emeritus (2001).
May 9, 2023
Janice Petrie: Trivia Quiz
April 11, 2023
Marc Nieuwenhuys: A Lonely Journey
For seven years, Marc Nieuwenhuys battled with his illness- depression. It was a long and lonely journey, one that kept him isolated from my family and the people closest to him.
In 2019, Marx realised that he had a choice. He could spend another seven years at the bottom of a deep, dark hole. He could let his depression control every waking hour. Or he could do something drastic to turn my his life around.
Marc had always been an adventurer at heart. So when he decided it was time for a change, there was only one thing for it. He bought a kayak, travelled to the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, and started paddling. His goal was to paddle the entire 2,400km of the Murray Riverr. Alone. Unassisted. No support crew, no teammates, no shortcuts. Just thousands of kilometres of empty river ahead of him.
"This was a deeply personal journey, but it's not just about me. It's about everyone who's ever struggled with mental health. By talking openly about my own experience, I hope I can inspire others to do the same." Join Marc at our Meeting, to hear his story.
March 14, 2023
AGM + Three Cameos, with Glenda Sullivan, John Payne and Joan Munro
February 14, 2023
Tim Kilby: That Old Time Rock'n'Roll Schtick
Tim has been a Primary School teacher who taught in Sydney, Canberra, London, Mittagong, Victoria Falls and Marra Creek (good luck finding it on a map). His passions are travelling, horse racing, bushwalking, listening to the radio, and pop music. He's the presenter on Valley FM 89.5, of Oldies But Goodies- Tim;s Favourites with Tim Kilby. Oldies but Goodies? Sounds like US!
Tim is also a volunteer guide at the Botanic Gardens. He especially enjoys giving visual talks to groups about things vegetative or musical.
His presentation ,'Schtick' took us on a trip from the 40's to the 90's,having a look at the amazing range of gimmicks pop performers have used to stand out from the crowd - moves, hairstyles, clothes, make-up, stage props and much more.
January 10, 2023
Noela Power: Eight Nights In Norway
In September, Noela went on a small group bus tour around the southern half of Norway.
In this talk she told us about some of the highlights of her trip, including her attempts to see and photograph the northern lights (Aurora Borealis).
November 8, 2022
Dr. Claire O'Brien: Food For Thought. Our Amazing Microbiome
Dr Claire O’Brien obtained her PhD degree from the Australian National University Medical School in 2012. She is an expert on the gut microbiome, particularly in the context of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Claire is a research and teaching focussed academic, and currently leads the host-microbe interactions group at the University of Canberra. Her group is currently investigating the gut microbiome in various disease states, as well as studies into antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from retail food.
Claire talked about the importance of maintaining gut microbiome balance for health. You can watch a video of a presentation she gave on the subject to the Australian Academy of Science, in 2021.
October 11, 2022
Estate Planning In The Digital Age: Kellin Kristofferson and Craig Phillips
Kellin Kristofferson opened his own practice- Artisan Legal in 2016, and in 2018 was voted the joint ACT Young Lawyer of the year.
Craig Phillips, of Phillips Wealth Partners, is an Aged Care specialists who works closely with a range of professions such as Artisan Legal to provide the financial advice and navigation for older Australians transitioning into care.
September 13, 2022
Jenny Mobbs: COTA (Council Of The Aging) ACT: What We Do
Jenny Mobbs is the CEO of of COTA (Council on The Ageing) ACT.
COTA Australia's role is to promote, improve and protect the wellbeing of older people in Australia as citizens and consumers. It seeks to be recognised by government, the general community and media as representing, advocating for and serving all older Australians.
COTA ACT performs vital work, including advocacy, advice, free digital help, seniors information, aged care navigation, housing support, classes and events.
August 9, 2022
Caroline Le Couteur: Caroline, Canberra, and Climate
Caroline came to Canberra in 1956 with her family. They lived in the outer suburbs, Yarralumla.
She did completed an economics degree at ANU and then moved to a community at Nimbin. In 1985 she returned to Canberra as a single mother to work in the public service. She left there in 2000 to work full time as a director of Australian Ethical investments.
In 2008 and then 2016 she was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly as a member of the ACT Greens. She retired in 2020 and now spends her time gardening and in climate change and social justice activism.
July 12, 2022
Jacqueline Gibb: Confessions Of A Counsellor
Jacqueline is a private practice counsellor in Canberra. She does mobile counselling, meaning she travels to people’s homes to do the counselling sessions.
Whilst she sees a range of people for a whole range of issues, she has a special interest in neurodiversity, trauma and in people who feel like they don’t really fit. She works with individuals, couples and families.
Originally from Holland, Jacqueline has called Australia home for the last 25 years. She is a a former youth worker and teacher and a Mum to a gorgeous 10yr old. In her spare time she loves to draw and write. Jacqueline also volunteers with a number of organisations and is constantly engaged in some kind of learning.
You can visit Jacquelines's website here, her Facebook page here, and a Blog here.
The graphic at right is a poweful depiction of how Jacqueline sees the role of Counsellor!
June 14, 2022
Amanda Heal: Looking At Life Through Courage-Coloured Spectacles
Amanda is the sort of person who, if you tell her she can’t do something, will usually find a way. You may not think that is a big deal, but she has been totally blind since birth, so what you might find easy often creates challenges for her that she overcomes.
Amanda has made a number of television appearances, including appearing on ABC News (Australia), 60 Minutes, and The Midday Show (Australia). She has also done quite a number of radio interviews.
As a speaker, Amanda uses her life experiences to inspire and encourage audiences to take courageous action to overcome the challenges that keep them stuck so they can reach their full potential in work and life.
You can visit Amanda's website, PurposeVisionFuture.com, and also read about her new book, Seeing By Vision, Not By Sight: How To Discover Your Life's Purpose And Put It Into Action.
May 10, 2022
Trivia Quiz with Janice Petrie
April 12, 2022
Emeritus Prof. Stephen Cox: A 500 Million Year Story: The Geology of Canberra
Canberra has a history way beyond it's founding last Century. Longer than the occupation by First Nations people. The geological history of Canberra is told in the rocks. Rock layers plainly visible in cuttings on the Tuggeranong Parkway and State Circle, take us back in time, over 400 million years.
Stephen Cox was born in Tasmania and graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1973 with a BSc (Hons) in Geology. He then joined the Geological Survey of Tasmania as a field geologist for a couple of years of experience before heading off to Monash University to undertake a PhD in structural geology. He subsequently conducted research at Monash University and the Australian National University before being appointed Professor of Geology at the University of Newcastle (NSW) in 1995. He returned to ANU in 1998 to teach and conduct research until “retirement” in 2018. He is now an Emeritus Professor at ANU and remains research active, as well as providing professional training in structural geology to the minerals industry sector.
Stephen enjoys teaching and has conducted research and provided training courses globally, including throughout Australasia and various parts of South America, North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. His research interests are primarily in the links between deformation processes and fluid flow in the Earth’s crust, with applications to earthquake mechanics, the formation of gold deposits and mineral exploration.
March 8, 2022
AGM + Marti Varsanyi's Fun Origami Session
It's incredible to watch an ordinary piece of paper transforming into a three dimensional form. It's even more special when you do it yourself!
So how did Marti come to do origami?
"I have a lovely group of ladies I meet and for fun we do some craft. So a couple of months ago someone had a few sheets of paper and copied the internet flowers they were showing to make. We folded papers, mumbled a bit and produced a box with some flowers on it."
That was fun for Marti, who has involved herself with a number of arts and crafts as a hobby. Now, she'll share that fun with us.
February 8, 2022
The Return of Two Truths and A Lie, with Sandra Barker
Some carefully selected Members will introduce themselves by stating two truths and one lie about themselves. The statements don't have to be intimate, life-revealing things—just simple hobbies, interests, or past experiences that make each person unique. The lie can be outrageous and wacky, or it can sound like a truth to make it harder for the other participants.
One at a time, each person will share their statements. The rest of the group has to guess which statements are true and which statement is the lie. We will get you to record your guesses, and then score them.
January 11, 2022
Cancelled as Covid precaution.
August 10, 2021
Bob Bush: Poems in The Bush Poetry Style
Bob Bush writes and performs poetry in the Australian Bush Poetry style and has published six poetry books and a CD.
He is an Award-winning, entertaining and highly sought-after Event Speaker, with a wry and dry sense of humour.
If you enjoy that sort of humour, in the spirit of Banjo Patterson, Henry Lawson and Anon, you will not want to miss the fun.
You can watch some of Bob's videos here, but be sure to get to the Meeting, to see him live. Copies of Bob's books and CD's will be available for purchase.
July 13, 2021
Helen Oakey: Plastic. No Longer Fantastic?
Helen Oakey is the Executive Dirextor of the Conservation Council's ACT Division.
Helen has more than 15 years experience campaigning on environment issues both at a national and local level. She led Greenpeace’s advocacy and policy team in Australia, and has worked on international issues including protecting forests and marine environments. She has worked as a senior policy advisor in the ACT Legislative Assembly giving her a broad understanding of key environment and sustainability issues facing our local region.
Helen is passionate about stopping climate change and building a more sustainable Canberra. She understands that change takes time, requiring engagement with community, governments and business. But she believes that change is what’s needed to build a genuinely sustainable and equitable society.
July 13, 2021 Talk Cancelled, but here's a link to a video of her talk.
Mia Swainson: How To Cut Your Household Waste In Half.
Mia Swainson is a freelance writer and consultant with a passion for sustainable living.
Her work in sustainable development, spaning more than 15 years, has taken Mia across Australia and around the world.
By making one small change at a time, Mia is proof that living a cleaner, greener and simpler life is within everyone’s reach.
Mia currently lives in Canberra with her husband and three boys. You’ll find her digging in the garden, biking around Canberra or working towards a local zero waste revolution with friends. Visit her websit here, and if you can watch her YouTube video here.
June 8, 2021
David Harding: Neighbourhood Watch: Creating Safer Communities in Canberra
The ACT Neighbourhood Watch program aims to reduce crime by encouraging the community to watch out for and report suspicious activity to police or Crime Stoppers to deter potential criminals. The program seeks to reduce crime, particularly property crimes and crimes against the community. David is Coordinator of Kambah West Neighbourhood Watch group.
David’s experience is gained from more than 30 years within the protective security field, including serving in the Australian Army’s Special Air Service (SASR) and the Australian Federal Police’s Air Security Officer (Air Marshal) program. David is currently the Managing Director of Anshin Consulting, a Threat Management and Security consultancy that focuses on Threat Management, security, specialised training, research and advisory services. In this capacity,
David has protected several of the world’s richest and influential business persons, and conducted private investigations and security operations spanning four continents. David has advised leading businesspersons, diplomats and Ambassadors on non-state threat actors, insurgents and terrorists. David is an international lecturer and trainer, and his articles and novel not only entertain, but have within them deeper meanings for security and counter-terrorism development. David has a Masters of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University in Sydney Australia. David is a research associate at the Australian Security Research Centre, and a Registered Security Professional (Aust.).
Read David's Blog or visit his Facebook page.
May 11, 2021
Trivia Quiz with Janice Petrie
April 13, 2021
Daniel Iglesias: Over The Hill? Not Us, But Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Is !
Daniel is the Director of the ACT Parks and Conservation Agency, the leading public reserve managers in the country.
He has more than 35 years experience in Parks and Conservation and is a former manager of Mulligans Flat.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is literally, just over the hill from wher Greenway Probus Club meets. The Tidbinbilla Valley has played an important part of the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) nature conservation efforts since 1936 and was gazetted as a nature reserve and national park in 1971.
During his talk, Daniel tried unsuccessfully to show a video of Bettongs that had been released into the wild. Click this link to see it.
March 9, 2021 (AGM)
Prof. Peter Stanley: Remembering and Interpreting Australia's Wars
Prof. Peter Stanley of UNSW Canberra is one of Australia's most active military historians. He was Principal Historian at the Australian War Memorial, where he worked from 1980-2007. The author of about 40 books, he is probably best known for Bad Characters: Sex, Crime, Mutiny and Murder and the First AIF, which jointly won the Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History in 2011.
He is a member of the 'Heritage Guardians', a community group opposing the War Memorial's damaging and unjustified half-a-billion-dollar expansion. Peter will discuss the various ways Australia's military history is remembered and interpreted, a process with which he has been involved for 40 years.
February 9, 2021
Belco Arts: Dance For Wellness
There is a growing body of medical evidence strongly validating the importance of exercise in the maintenance of our wellbeing – physically, cognitively and socially. Dance ticks all those boxes in one fun package, and with a strong underpinning philosophy of accessibility and arts for all, Belco Arts is pioneering these programs in the ACT.
We'll be getting the information, and having fun getting into the action
January 12, 2021
Fun Meeting. Two Truths and a Lie
Some carefully selected Members will introduce themselves by stating two truths and one lie about themselves. The statements don't have to be intimate, life-revealing things—just simple hobbies, interests, or past experiences that make each person unique. The lie can be outrageous and wacky, or it can sound like a truth to make it harder for the other participants.
One at a time, each person will share their statements. The rest of the group has to guess which statements are true and which statement is the lie. We will get you to record your guesses, and then score them.
There will be two Winners. The Member who gets the most guesses correct, and the presenter who fools the greatest number of Members.
February 18th., 2020
Dr. Brad Tucker: Who Demoted Pluto?
On this day, 90 years ago, in 1930, a hunt for Planet Nine led to the discovery of Pluto.
In recent decades we have discovered many more objects in our Solar System. Many beyond Pluto, and some even larger.
Over the same period, we have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars, called exoplanets.
So how did Pluto come to be demoted from Planet to Dwarf Planet? What is yet to be discovered?
Dr Brad Tucker is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist, and currently a Research Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University. One of Braad's current projects is the search for Planet X. Visit Brad's web page
November 19th., 2019
Professor Clive Williams: Rafting The Grand Canyon
Professor Clive Williams MG was formerly the senior arms control analyst at the Defence Intelligence Organisaton- Department of Defence (DIO).
His fascinating talk chronicled his adventure, rafting down the Grand Canyon.
In contrast to the arid conditions encountered in the Grand Canyon, Professor Williams described white water rafting down Tasmania's iconic Franklin River. The contrast was that far from being arid, the climate of the Franklin River area produces weather that can we wet, 24/7 for much of the year.
October 15th., 2019
Elizabeth Samra: Legal Issues for Seniors
ELIZABETH SAMRA has been active in advocating for the rights of older people for almost a decade. She is currently working with Legal Aid ACT on a project to develop its elder law practice, with a focus on elder abuse and family violence, OPALS.
OPALS (Older Persons ACT Legal Service), is a specialist service within Legal Aid ACT. OPALS provides legal help to older people in Canberra. They can help with legal issues involving elder abuse, enduring powers of attorney, guardianship and financial arrangements with family members.
Elizabeth is a member of the ACT Law Society's Elder Law and Succession Law Committee and a member of the National Older Person's Legal Service Network. Prior to moving to the ACT, Elizabeth was the Principal Solicitor of a specialist elder abuse legal and advocacy service in Victoria.
September 17th., 2019
Michael Shoebridge: The Changing Order: Australia, the USA and China
Michael joined Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in February 2018 as the Director of the Defence & Strategy program. Michael has worked in policy, intelligence and project delivery in Defence.
He headed the Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division in the Prime Minister’s department. Michael also started a new Defence Capability Assessment Branch in the Department of Finance, which provided the Finance department’s assessment of all major Defence capability investment proposals to inform Cabinet decision making.
Michael led the Defence team that wrote the 2013 Defence White Paper when he was head of Defence’s Strategic Policy Division. He has worked as the Deputy Director of Australia’s Defence Intelligence Organisation (one of two assessment agencies in Australia’s intelligence community and partner to the US DIA) and as one of the four deputies in the Australian Signals Directorate (partner to the US NSA).
He was the senior Defence civilian in the Australian Embassy in Washington during the time of the Iraq surge and the return of the Australian SAS to Afghanistan. He has worked in two Commonwealth Ministers’ offices.
His role before joining ASPI was as the head of Defence’s Contestability function, providing critical but constructive analysis of the projects and programs in the Government’s $200 billion integrated investment program for Defence, which is the investment element of the 2016 Defence White Paper.
August 20th., 2019
Jenny Horsfield: The Soldier Settlers of Tuggeranong
In 1920, eight men who had served in the Great War took up soldier settler blocks at Tuggeranong, on land that had formerly belonged to the Cunningham family.
They faced years of uncertain markets, isolation, drought, weed infestation and the rabbit plague, in a decade that was to test the strongest of men and culminate in the Great Depression.This is their story.
Jenny Horsfield is a Canberra writer and historian. In early 2018, she curated an exhibition at Lanyon Homesteead- The Soldier Settlers of Tuggeranong. The stories she told of these men and the hardships they endured, has led to the publishing of her latest book, Voices Beyond The Suburbs: The Soldier Settlers of Tuggeranong. In her talk, Jenny will share some of these fascinating stories.
Jenny is also the author of ‘Rainbow: the story of Rania MacPhillamy’, the story of a young woman who served as a VAD in Egypt during the Great War. This book won the ACT Writers and Publishers award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2008. Jenny’s book, ‘Building a City’, about early Canberra, won this award again in 2016.
Revisit Jenny's slides here.
July 16th., 2019
Stephen Munro: Evolution, Migrations Of Humanity, And The Peopling Of Australia
About five million years ago, a population of African apes began to separate into two separate species: Humans and chimpanzees. What were the circumstances that led to this separation, and why are humans so distinctive, in so many ways, from chimpanzees and other primates? Moreover, what were the circumstances that led humans to spread throughout the world, and how and when did humans first reach Australia?
Stephen Munro, a graduate of the Australian National University’s School of Archaeology and Anthropology, and a curator at the National Museum of Australia, draws on his own and other research to challenge some of the traditional scenarios put forward to explain these questions, and proposes a number of alternatives.
June 18th., 2019
Tim Mather: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Dr Tim Mather BVSc is a semi-retired veterinarian recently arrived in Canberra after a career in WA. Currently on track veterinarian for Canberra Harness Racing Club, previously on track veterinarian for Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, member of CSIRO Large Animal and Wildlife Animal Ethics Committee. His career has included teaching surgery at Murdoch University Veterinary School and National Institute of Animal Welfare ,New Delhi, India. Tim was part of the team managing Western Australia’s response to Equine Influenza outbreak in 2007. A lifelong interest in bushwalking has lead to the expedition to Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano situated just south of the equator in Tanzania on the African continent. Its summit at 5894 metres is the highest point in Africa and as such, is attracting great interest from tourists around the world. Hundreds of tourists climb it every day during the dry seasons, and each visitor is accompanied by porters and guides.
This talk was about one such climb accomplished in July 2018 at the height of the tourist season and discusses trek preparation, clothing and nutrition requirements for altitude walking and mental preparation for extreme endeavours. See Tim's Presentation here.
May 21st., 2019
Ren Webb: Five Steps To An Energy-Efficient Home
We'd all like to pay lower energy bills! Ren Webb dramatically improved his home for little cost. Ren spent less than $4000 and took the energy efficiency rating of his 1970s Canberra home from 2 Stars to 6.9 Stars. With the addition of a solar system, his house now generates five times more energy than used by his family.
Ren is a technical officer with the ACT Government's Actsmart Sustainable Home Advice. He provides free advice to the Canberra community and delivers public workshops on a range of home sustainability topics. He will speak to us about improving a home's thermal performance, upgrading to high-efficiency electric appliances, moving off gas and switching to solar.
April 16th., 2019
Tony Patis: The University Of The Third Age (U3A)
U3A- the University of the Third Age- is an international movement which promotes and practises lifelong learning by providing low cost educational opportunities for older people.
At U3A Canberra, you can exercise your brain by participating in or leading a group and sharing your interests with others. No prior educational qualifications are required and you are not required to study long-term, as no certificates or degrees are awarded.
Tony Matis is Vice President of U3A Canberra.
February 19th., 2019
Jan Morgan: Confessions of an Arboretum Junkie
The National Arboretum Canberra features 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from around Australia and the world. Many of the trees are still young but two of the forests are over 100 hundred years old. Over 44,000 trees from over 100 countries are growing across the huge 250 hectare (618 acre) site, making it one of the world's largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees.
Until 2012 Jan Morgan was only interested in trees because birds could be found in them. And when she eventually learnt about the National Arboretum in Canberra she was strongly opposed to it. Today she is a Member of the Council of the Friends of the Natiuonal Arboretum, and has recently been awarded their Volunteer Of The Year for 2018!
Jan's talk told us about about her conversion, and about how it has changed her life over the last six years. And about some of the fascinating people and stories she has encountered on the way. See Jan's presentation.
January 15th., 2019
Dr. Brad Tucker: The Past, Present and Future of Space in Australia
Australia was just the third country to send a satellite into orbit. After many years of official inaction, Australia has finally created it's own Australian Space Agency.
On New Year's Day, 2019, the New Horizons spacecraft will pass close by the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69. The flybywill be the most distant in the history of space exploration, a billion miles beyond Pluto.
Dr Brad Tucker is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist, and currently a Research Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University. Visit Brad's web page
November 20th., 2018
John Jervis: The Towrang Convict Stockade in Goulburn
The Towrang Stockade was the major stockade for chain-bound convicts and others involved in the construction of the Great South Road, from around 1836 to 1842. The Stockade was the major penal settlement in southern New South Wales and enforced harsh discipline. Around 250 convicts slept there on bare boards with a blanket each and 10 men to a cell. One of the floggers was later murdered.
Near the site of the Stockade, there are the remains of the powder magazine next to the Wollondilly River, three graves on the north bank of Towrang Creek, and the remains of a weir on Towrang Creek built for the stockade. Aboriginal stone tools have also been found on the banks of Towrang Creek, indicating that this was a route well-travelled long before Hamilton Hume came this way in 1818.
Today it’s located on the north side of the Hume Highway at Towrang Creek, about 11km north of Goulburn. On the opposite side of the Hume Highway, near the Derrick VC Rest Area, there is Towrang Creek Bridge, built by the convicts.
October 16th., 2018
Peter Gorton: The Future of the Car
Peter has a long history of involvement in the renewable energy and emerging technologies field.
He has been Chair of the ACT Branch of the Australian & New Zealand Solar Energy Society, an Austrralian Director of the International Solar Energy Society (past Secretary), and past Nartional Treasurer of the Australian Institute of Energy. He is a Member of the Institute of Company Directors, and the Alternative Energy Association (now renamed, Renew).
Peter was an early adopter of solar power, solar hot water, and rainwater recovery. He helped solar move from pioneering to mainstream. Along the way, he developed a strong interest in another emerging technology- electric vehicles.
Today, the growing penetration of electric vehicles, the development of autonomous vehicles and ride sharing are all combining in a revolution of what the motor car will become, and how we will use is. As an early adopter, Peter drives a BMW elwctric car, affectionately known as Ian.
View Pete;s presentation slides here.
September 18th., 2018
Kate Lehmensich: The My Health Record Program
By the end of 2018, a My Health Record will be created for every Australian, unless you choose not to have one. My Health Record provides for potentially lifesaving access to your key health information such as medications, allergies, and condition. You can share your health information with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers from anywhere, any time.
Kate Lehmansich's career includes working as an Enrolled Nurse at Canberra Hospital and the Red Cross. In recent years, Kate has been involved in health administration at the Australian College of Nursing. Using her strong engagement and people skills, Kate is working this year as the Community Engagement Officer at Capital Health Network, which is the Primary Health Network for the ACT. The focus of her role is to work locally on the My Health Record expansion program.
A Video Introduction to the My Health Record Program
Kate helped Members learn about the My Health Record Program. See her Presentation here.
August 21st., 2018
Chris Franks: International Aid, Or Look After Ourselves? Why Not Both?
Chris’ passion for the international aid and development sector has resulted in thirty-five years of hands on volunteering to date in a multitude of roles. She is currently Chair of RESULTS Australia and immediate past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Australia and has served on boards and committees of Oxfam, Save the Children NSW, CUFA, Family Planning NSW as well as government and financial boards including NSW Kids & Families, CUA, Creditcorp and more. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over eighteen years governance experience.
Chris' passion for the international aid and development sector has resulted in thirty-five years of hands on volunteering to date in a multitude of roles. She is currently Chair of RESULTS Australia and immediate past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Australia and has served on boards and committees of Oxfam, Save the Children NSW, CUFA, Family Planning NSW as well as government and financial boards including NSW Kids & Families, CUA, Creditcorp and more. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over eighteen years governance experience.is also a strong champion of accountability, and believes our society is stronger, better managed and better governed with more women in leadership roles.
To that end she encourages, inspires and supports women to secure promotion and leadership roles as the founder and principal of the Women In Aid & Development network across Australia. Her objective is to increase the number of women in CEO and director roles in a female dominated sector. Chris was also a leader of the 2011 and 2013 Habitat Women’s’ Builds in Nepal working with divorced, widowed and abandoned women, alongside 100 women from corporate Australia.
Members who want to revisit Chris' talk, and those who missed it, can view her presentation here.
July 17th., 2018
Robyn Sykes: Writer, Poet, Entertainer
Robyn Sykes is a multi-award-winning poet and writer with a passion for entertaining audiences. Since winning the Australian Bush Poetry Championship (2012) and prestigious Golden Damper (2013) the versatile performer has enthralled audiences in Norfolk Island, King Island, New Zealand, WA, Qld, Vic, Tas, ACT, NSW and more.
“I love entertaining,” the poet, farmer and writer said. “I love telling stories about people and their ups and downs, and I’m keen to share my work with groups like Probus.”
The Binalong Bard has featured at numerous festivals including Boyup Brook and Tamworth Country Music Festivals, Turning Wave, Illawarra, Kangaroo Valley and National Folk Festivals and Kiama Folk by the Sea.
As President of Binalong Arts Group Inc, Robyn coordinated the hugely successful NSW Bush Poetry Championships in Binalong in 2014 and 2016. She was also on the organising committee for the Johnny Gilbert 150th anniversary re-enactment in 2015, which drew 2000 people to Binalong (pop 250).
‘Voices of the Fire’, Robyn’s first book and CD, was a finalist in Australian Bush Laureate Awards 2014 for Album of the Year, Published Poem of the Year and Single of the Year. Her new book and CD, Thoughts, Rorts and Farming Sorts has just been released.
Visit Robyn's website (check out her video).
Photo: Margaret Rhodes
Tuesday June 19th.
Millie Sutherland Saines: The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust
Text about
May 15th. 2018
Rolfe Hartley: Sir John Monash. Engineer and Soldier.
Rolfe Hartley is a retired civil and environmental engineer with many years’ experience in the management of large infrastructure and environmental projects. His experience includes senior positions in both the public and private sectors, including positions within the Department of Defence, and as a Defence contractor.
Rolfe was the President of Engineers Australia’s Canberra Division in 1998 and the National President in 2007. He continues to be active in Engineers Australia affairs.
Rolfe grew up just down the road from the Australian War Memorial, and as a boy spent many hours there to fuel his strong interest in military history. In 2011 he fulfilled a long-standing ambition to become a volunteer guide at the Memorial.
As an engineer, soldier and citizen, John Monash is one of his great heroes and he has spoken frequently on Monash in engineering circles. Rolfe's talk is an update of a talk he delivered in 2015, when he gave the annual John Monash Oration in Jerilderie NSW. Monash's formative years were spent in Jetrilderie, and past Orations have been delivered by by Hon Tim Fischer, AC, Dame Marie Bashir, AD, CVO, former Governor of NSW, and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC (Ret’d).
April 17th. 2018
Geraldine Triffitt: Life In The Fijian Village Of 'Soso.
Geraldine is the Author of SoSo Village, Naviti Island, Fiji and SoSo Families, Naviti Island, Fiji.
Geraldine gave a personal description of the environment, natural history, history, daily life, ceremonies, language, social structure and change in the remote Fijian village of 'Soso on the island of Naviti, which she has visited regularly since 1976.
Geraldine's Powerpoint Presentation of 40 slides can be viewed here, and the matching text of her talk can be read here.
March 20th. 2018
Dennis Dyer: Pythons Of Australia.
Few people realise that Australia is the ‘Land of Pythons’, most thinking of elapid or venomous varieties when the word ‘snake’ is mentioned. The great variety of pythons in Australia will be illustrated and discussed together with their basic anatomy which enables them to fulfil their environmental functions.
Dennis's interest in reptiles, particularly pythons, goes back to his student days, and has continued since. Being a geologist in a field oriented profession reinforced his admiration of them, and hopes the Club Members gain some of that. Dennis has recently joined the Jamison Club, and has given this talk there.
Dennis currently keeps two Centralian Pythons at his home, and one (Ben) was brought to show the Members, and demonstrate its feeding technique.
Our thanks to Tom Anderson for shooting the video. Just click to watch.
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