The Balmain Institute is an Australian independent, incorporated non-profit organisation dedicated to generating informative discussions and fostering real conversations on topical issues both local and international.
We host a series of public talks and discussions that aim to be stimulating and intimate with expert speakers across science, arts, health, education, governance, economics and the environment.
The Balmain Institute respects expertise, reasoned argument and creativity.
Our talks program usually runs monthly from March to December. This year we will be meeting once again in the Balmain Town Hall. Everyone welcome!
Our COVID Plan
We revise our plan in response to current advice from NSW Health., however to ensure the health and well being of our audience we will ask all attendees to:
- Check-in using QR codes;
- Show proof of vaccinations;
- Wear face-masks;
- Observe social distancing.
All tables, chairs and equipment will be sanitized before each meeting.
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Event details
Where
Balmain Meeting Room at the Balmain Town Hall.
Details here
Time
Doors open at 6.30pm
The events start at 7.00pm. Talks run for 45 minutes with a 15 minute Q&A, finishing at around 8.00pm
Admission is $10
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Watch past speakers on the Balmain Institute YouTube channel
Executive Committee
President: Florence McCarthy
Vice President: Damien Stapleton
Secretary: Iraine Stevens
Treasurer: Margaret Vickers
Members
Anita Duffy, Ray Stevens, Angela Klemm.
Our supporters
We are grateful for the support of the Inner West Council and our local Independent bookshop Roaring Stories 268 Darling St, Balmain.
A brief history
Ten years ago, the Balmain Institute (BI) was founded as a not-for-profit, independent organization with the purpose of encouraging informed discussion in the local communities of Balmain and Rozelle. The focus was, and continues to be on, topical issues such as climate change, the arts, science, First Nations issues, corporate power, a free press, sustainable agriculture, and economics. Each year, the topics selected change to meet alterations in the national and international landscape. Our speakers were and remain local experts, scholars, journalists, economists, educators, students, historians, authors and actors.
With another lockdown in 2021
We managed 3 sessions at the Balmain Town Hall before returning to Zoom sessions. Nevertheless, the BI events continued to address topical issues with knowledgeable speakers. Making any of this possible was through the generosity of supporters and viewers who made donations to us. We remain deeply grateful for their support.
With the advent of 2022, we have returned to our preferred mode of face-to-face gatherings, however we are still unable to share cheese and a glass of wine before our meetings. We hope our traditional form of gathering will continue, but the uncertain nature of our times means our new normal is rift with uncertainties.
In any event, we welcome the participation of all those interested in sharing ideas and being stimulated by challenging discussions.
Balmain Institute Inc. 