All Melbourne Forum events are conducted under the Chatham House Rule – When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule , participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
The rule is intended to provide anonymity to speakers and to encourage openness and the sharing of information.

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October 2019
Dangerous Dinner – Political Correctness and Freedom of Speech
An In-House Series event
Hosted by Dr Michael Liffman
Dangerous Dinners is a members’ only, member led In-house event; exploring an issue in depth through members sharing ideas, experiences and expertise. Has political correctness endangered freedom of speech in Australia? The capacity for thoughtful dialogue, considered debate, dissenting views and expression of opinion is…
Find out more »MF October Imbibo
Welcome to our new members
Hosted by Simon Savage
It is forecast to be 32 degrees on Thursday! Amazing weather to be joining Melbourne Forum members and their guests for a refreshing beverage after work. Set within the grounds surrounding the former Royal Mint building lies the Mint Bar and Restaurant, boasting one of…
Find out more »November 2019
From Waverley to the West Wing
Members' Drinks with Associate Professor Vinay Rane
Hosted by Chris Gallagher
As an obstetrician and gynaecologist, Associate Professor Vinay Rane thinks he has the most wonderful job in the world. He must truly love it, because, despite the most amazing adventure, he came home. In 2014, Vinay was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and, along with his young family,…
Find out more »Advancing Melbourne: the University of Melbourne and the City
Members' Lunch with Professor Duncan Maskell
Hosted by Justin Bokor
We are delighted that Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne will be joining us for lunch as he is celebrating one year in Melbourne. Not only is Professor Maskell excited about the University and its contribution to education on an international level,…
Find out more »The Changing Media Landscape
Signature Lunch with Ita Buttrose AC OBE
Hosted by Prof Andrea Hull AO
We are delighted to invite you to join us for a long Signature Lunch with Ita Buttrose AC OBE on Friday 15 November 2019 as part of our 10-year anniversary program. Appointed chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in February, Ita is acknowledged for her…
Find out more »2020 CENTRAL AUSTRALIA ABORIGINAL STUDY TOUR
Expression of Interest Information Session
Hosted by Gareth Andrews
The Melbourne Forum is pleased to offer this unique and exciting study tour in 2020. Join us for a special information evening to explore this opportunity. Aboriginals have been in Australia for 70,000 years plus. You mob have been here for 230 years. Do you…
Find out more »Fact checking – in a time of post truth, alternative facts and fake news
Members' Lunch with Russell Skelton
Hosted by John Ridley AM
Journalists have traditionally been the gatekeepers of information in the public discourse. Making decisions about what is newsworthy, what is worth investigating, checking for accuracy and then letting it out into the world. However, in the age of social media, politicians, business leaders and other…
Find out more »Melbourne Stories with Dr Jacqueline Ogeil
A Members' only event
Hosted by Dr Michael Liffman
We are pleased to announce the return of the 'Melbourne Stories' lunch; a unique format in the repertoire of the MF. With only a speaker and limited to twelve invited members, this format goes to the core of our objectives to bring to members the…
Find out more »Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria
Melbourne Forum's 2019 Festive Event
Hosted by Prof Andrea Hull AO
It has certainly been an incredible year at the Melbourne Forum and we are delighted that Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC will be joining us at this very special event to celebrate. The Governor was…
Find out more »Australia’s position in an increasingly complex world
- Members' Drinks with Craig Emerson and Tom Switzer
Hosted by Antony Walker
Our final event for 2019 is a special event where a smorgasbord of global and domestic issues will be discussed by two of the country’s leading public intellectuals. Craig Emerson is a former Minister for Trade in the Julia Gillard government among other high-profile political…
Find out more »