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 exploring viewpoints) there are multiple ways to participate.
Explore our upcoming program of events and forums.
Events Search and Views Navigation
September 2023
Connections
Cultivating Community This is an evening of unparalleled camaraderie and exchange as we come together for drinks at an enchanting city location. As members of the Melbourne Forum, you have been pivotal in shaping our community's civic engagement landscape. This special event offers a unique…
Find out more »The Best of Britain. William Johnston: His Residence & Collection.
William Johnston prided himself by championing – and setting the tone of – British interiors in Melbourne, especially with items that were from his stock at Kent Antiques in Armadale. He promoted the classic English craftsmanship of Chippendale and Hepplewhite and celebrated the ceramics of…
Find out more »Are we Australians, racist?
It has been a while since the talk of how racist Australia is, has been as upfront and centre as it is today. The debate about the pending referendum on The First Nations Voice to Parliament has thrown into sharp relief, views that could be…
Find out more »October 2023
Invention and Innovation: A Brief History of Hype and Failure
This is a history of human ingenuity—and its attendant breakthroughs and busts. The world is never finished catching up with Vaclav Smil. In his latest and perhaps most readable book, Invention and Innovation (MIT Press, February 2023) the prolific author pens an insightful and fact-filled…
Find out more »Turnaround From The Boardroom
Disruption and changing landscapes features high on the strategic responses for boards and CEOs. “One of the most important things when I’m looking at an opportunity, or a disrupted environment, is to look at the strategy and think about whether or not you have the…
Find out more »Towards Greater Accountability
This year marks a significant milestone for the Victorian Ombudsman. On October 30 it celebrates 50 years as a lead parliamentary integrity agency committed to fairness, integrity and respect for human rights; holding Victorian public organisations accountable for delivery of their services. “How do you…
Find out more »Forward Thinking: CEOs Driving Sustainability
Future survival requires leaders to reshape their businesses to a more sustainable future. But this challenge is more than net-zero goals. It involves creating new products, services and business models, new relationships with multiple participants in the sustainability ecosystem, transparent and accountable supply chains, and…
Find out more »An Insight To Real (Royal) Tennis At The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club
A special treat for social history buffs and sporting enthusiasts alike - an insight to real (Royal) tennis at the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. Melbourne Forum member Allan Willingham will host this event. He has long played real tennis, has represented Australia in many International…
Find out more »Connections
This is the second time for 2023 where we come together to cultivate camaraderie and community at an enchanting city location. As members of the Melbourne Forum, you have been pivotal in shaping the civic engagement landscape. This series offers a unique opportunity to further…
Find out more »Melbourne Forum 2023 AGM
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Melbourne Forum Limited will be held at 5.30pm sharp on Wednesday 18 October 2023 at Mister Munro, 215 Little Collins Street Melbourne. The AGM business agenda and additional documents will be emailed to members. In accordance with…
Find out more »The Passion of Private White
The meeting of two worlds underscores The Passion of Private White: that of the intensely driven anthropologist Neville White, and the world of hunter-gatherer clans in remote northern Australia with whom he has lived and worked for half a century, mapping their culture and history…
Find out more »A Fairer Australia
Holding several key positions since stepping down from political life, the Hon Wayne Swan is Chair of Cbus Super, a Commissioner on the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation and a Director of Stanwell Corporation. In June 2018 he was elected President of the…
Find out more »