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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August 2019
MF Imbibo – welcome to our new members
A Social Event
Hosted by Simon Savage
Winter is almost over and it is time to stop hibernating. Inspired by Manhattan bars, this undercover rooftop bar, hidden at the top of Goldsborough Lane is an oasis in Bourke Street with its toasty heaters is the perfect place to share a beverage and raise…
Find out more »September 2019
Flesh after Fifty
Members' Lunch with Dr Martha Hickey
Hosted by Jane Fenton AM
Women over 50 will soon be the largest sector of the population. They make up half the workforce, two thirds of the voluntary sector and make a vital contribution to families, communities and society. Despite this, female images are rarely seen and their bodies largely absent…
Find out more »Secrets of the Espy
A Cultural Life Series event
Hosted by Sally Arnold
A treat for culture lovers, history buffs and those who like a good yarn, this storytelling experience illuminates the little known life of former Hotel Esplanade resident Alfred Felton, Australia’s largest philanthropist to the arts, who lived and died at the 'Espy'. Since reopening its doors in 2018,…
Find out more »Focus for Action – Housing for all
An In-house Series event
Hosted by John Ridley AM
Members’ only ‘Focus for Action’ dinner Facilitated by John Ridley AM and Chris Gallagher Focus for Action is a members’ only, member led event; where members help for-purpose or community organisations address a challenge they are facing by testing ideas, finding practical solutions, building connections…
Find out more »Wise Cities’ – How wise are our capital cities?
Members' Lunch with Prof Rob Adams AM
Hosted by James Garriock
Professor Rob Adams AM first joined us in August 2013 speaking on transforming cities for a sustainable future and asking whether Melbourne can survive beyond five million people. He is returning to celebrate Melbourne Forum's 10 year anniversary and pose the questions: How wise are our…
Find out more »Politics today: where are we going?
Members' Lunch with John Pesutto
Hosted by John Ridley AM
John Pesutto has an extensive record of service in politics and public policy and at this Melbourne Forum lunch he raises the question: Politics today — where are we going? From November 2014 to December 2018, John was Victoria’s shadow attorney general and member for Hawthorn in the Victorian Parliament. He…
Find out more »Marooned – A play about suicide which focuses on suicide prevention
- A Cultural Life Series event
Hosted by Pamela Creed
Four souls are Marooned in a room in the afterlife. They have no connection other than they have all tried but failed to take their own lives. They don’t know how they survived but as time passes they begin to yearn to go home and…
Find out more »MF Imbibo – welcome to our new members
A Social Event
Hosted by Simon Savage
Our September Imbibo is taking you through a little known lane way and underground to the basement of the old Money Order Office in the city. You will love exploring the old world brick archways, marble flourishes and the domed ceiling - the perfect location to…
Find out more »October 2019
Refugees and Migrants: The Future of the World
Members' Lunch with Dr Helen Szoke AO
Hosted by Michael Henry AM
The debate in Australia is about asylum seekers, offshore processing, Medivac and whether people deserve refugee status. Elsewhere in the world it is about refugee camps, massive people movements, statelessness and starvation. There are now more refugees than at any time since world War II.…
Find out more »Melbourne Stories with Dr Nouria Salehi OAM
A Members' only event
Hosted by Professor Emeritus Barbara van Ernst AM
We are pleased to announce the return of the 'Melbourne Stories' lunch; a unique format in the repertoire of the MF. A nuclear physicist by day, a restaurateur by night and a human rights activist around the clock — that’s the short Melbourne story of…
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