We are a community of curious, connected and interested Melburnians contributing to and engaging on the important issues of today and tomorrow.
Melbourne Forum gives you access to the highest level of expertise and real-world lessons that our conversation leaders – all with a reputation for excellence – bring to the table under the Chatham House rule.
We are committed to providing a platform for, and the increased visibility of, diverse voices.
With varied formats (in-person or virtual; conversation leader or members engaging with each other; learning from experts or new experiences) there are multiple ways to participate.
Explore our upcoming program of events and forums.
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September 2021
The role of Arts, Culture and the Creative industries in the recovery from Covid-19
Australia’s culture is simultaneously ancient, highly contemporary, diverse, fearless, fresh and vital, witty and immersive. Our success as a nation has been primed in large part by our shared cultural inheritance, with all its richness, diversity and complexity, and its constant renewal by talented creative…
Find out more »Vaccines, and lockdowns, what went wrong, where next?
Dr Stephen Duckett has held top operational and policy leadership positions in health care in Australia and Canada, including as Secretary of what is now the Commonwealth Department of Health. He has a reputation for creativity, evidence-based innovation, and reform in areas ranging from the…
Find out more »What in the World!
While we thought the world was working hard to eradicate a Global Pandemic, the world is going crazy. WOKE? What does that even mean? Cancel Culture and Political Correctness? What is going on? Join us on Friday afternoon from 5:00pm to talk about 'what in…
Find out more »Erosion of the public service
Chip Le Grand is an Australian journalist who lives in Melbourne. He worked for 25 years for the national newspaper, The Australian, writing about national affairs, sport, politics and crime. In August 2019, he joined The Age newspaper as its chief reporter.
Find out more »Digital Transformation
In this book, visionary Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tom Siebel presents a penetrating examination of the new technologies that are disrupting business and government—and how organisations can harness them to transform into digital enterprises. The confluence of four technologies—elastic cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and…
Find out more »A New Approach in the world of Arts
Following the discussion with Rupert Myer about the central role of the arts in the nation’s recovery from COVID, Kate will speak with us about “A New Approach” (ANA), an independent arts and culture think tank. Kate Fielding has led ANA as CEO since its…
Find out more »What in the World!
While we thought the world was working hard to eradicate a Global Pandemic, the world is going crazy. What is going on? Join us on Friday afternoon from 5:00pm to talk about 'what in the world!"
Find out more »Our Departure from Kabul, two different viewpoints
On this occasion, we will hear from two opinion leaders with differing views. At a time of initial universal condemnation of the US President, Tom Switzer, arguably Australia’s leading Conservative Writer, published in the Financial Review a piece arguing that President Biden made the correct…
Find out more »The increasingly challenging ethical questions posed by Covid-19
Covid-19 raises an extraordinary number of challenging ethical questions for us as individuals and as part of a wider society. Many of these questions are coming into very sharp focus as talk of 'opening up' escalates. How will we decide what is an acceptable level…
Find out more »October 2021
A Leader in the House
MF member Chris Kotur is also the inaugural Leader in Residence at our alliance partner Leadership Victoria. She is a very experienced strategist and facilitator and a trusted adviser to leaders in many fields. She has been involved in the design of successful leadership programs.…
Find out more »You Matter: creating havens for those escaping and recovering from family violence
“Through providing the contents of a home for a victim/survivor of family violence, so that it is fully equipped, functional and comfortable we aim to provide them with the dignity, respect and feeling of worth so that they can begin to re-build their lives.” –…
Find out more »China, Submarines – Are We in a Mess?
Hugh White AO FASSA is an Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, long-time defence and intelligence analyst, and author who has published works on military strategy and international relations. Professor White…
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