Thursday Twilight Talks - Aug 2025 edition

WELCOME TO BALLARAT’S THURSDAY TWILIGHT TALKS.....

The first Thursday of the month, from 5:30 - 6:30pm

At Barkly Square, 25 Barkly St, Ballarat East/Wadawurrung

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We are PUMPED to announce this month's TTT speaker line up!

- Beth Lamont - BALLARAT PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

- Kate Martin - URBAN RIPPLE PROJECT

- Jodie Downey - BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

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Come along and hear from these 3 incredible not for profit local grassroots organisations and projects to find out what they do, what they’re currently working on and how you can help.

In a time of hate, love is our act of resistance. In a time of fear, uniting and action is our act of resistance. In a time of misinformation, education is an act of resistance. In a time of poor leadership, community is an act of resistance. Lets resist; together! 

Feel inspired, get active, meet like-minded people and feel connected with a compassionate community. Turn despair into action.  

- Thursday 7th August

- Barkly Square, 25 Barkly St, Ballarat East/Wadawurrung

- 5:30 - 6:30pm (Arrive from 5pm)

- FREE tickets available via Humanitix.

Accessible parking at rear of venue off Princes Street (follow the hill through the car parks and there are 3 parks available along the BRMC Welcome Hall wall.

Fully accessible toilets available in the venue.

PLEASE NOTE: TTT IS A CHILD-FRIENDLY EVENT! WHAT BETTER WAY TO BE PART OF COMMUNITY AND ENGAGED IN A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY SETTING!!! Please bring your kids - we love them!

This months' speakers:

BETH LAMONT - BALLARAT PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

Beth is a passionate and productive arts manager, administrator and producer. She has worked in the performing arts industry since 1999 in venue management, event management, production, lighting, sound & staging, marketing and arts admin.

She has worked behind-the-scenes and produced work in comedy clubs, festivals and theatres in Melbourne, London and Edinburgh, in over 40 different venues.

More recently in Ballarat, she has managed major events and a long-running comedy club. Beth is always working hard to contribute to the performing arts, and is loving being a part of BPAC.

More info here.

JODIE DOWNEY - BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Mentoring Coordinator BBBS Ballarat

My background is in race relations, youth and community development.

I have worked with young people in various roles for 30 years

I volunteer with Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance and Choir, Ballarat Allies and want to work on intergenerational programs in the future.

I am passionate about being part of solutions that create a community that is just and doesn’t hide from truth. working for kindness and caring for the country, for humanity, understanding the wisdom and ownership of the  first peoples of this land. 

I believe in the community of all ages and backgrounds and that we can work together to learn, grow and evolve, supporting change for positive and safer futures! 

More info here.

KATE MARTIN - URBAN RIPPLE PROJECT

With a background in Conservation and Land Management, Kate has been working in the environmental industry for almost 10 years. She has a passion for all things environmental and has been in the Wattle Flat Pootilla Landcare Group for over 20 years. Kate is the current President of the group as well as the Project Officer & Landcare Facilitator for the Yarrowee Leigh Catchment Group.

Plants are her passion and she loves sharing my knowledge with everyone!

More info on Urban Ripple Project here.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Next months speakers (4/9) will be from : Lifeline, Degrowth Ballarat & Respect Victoria.

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More about TTT (Thursday Twilight Talks):

This monthly event is for people who are curious or passionate about social justice and environmentally sustainable grass-roots activities that are happening locally.

Every month we will be showcasing three different local groups/movements. 

Groups will have 10 minutes each to share what they are doing, and how you can be involved if you would like to. 

Following the presentations, there will be time for questions and further discussions with the speakers over light refreshments.

The event will also have a “Show and Tell” board for groups to publicise their upcoming activities. Simply bring a printed A4 poster along with you on the night if you would like it displayed.

We encourage you to arrive early to be ready for a 5:30pm start. 

If you do, you will also have time to explore the First Nations Women’s Yarning Garden, pop into the Ballarat Wholefoods Collective for some shopping, or borrow something from the Ballarat Tool Library beforehand. 

We acknowledge that we meet on unceded Wadawurrung Country and pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present. 

We believe that our strength as a community comes from our ability to cooperate, coordinate, collaborate and communicate. 

Together in solidarity, we become greater than the sum of our parts. 

Any comments or questions? Please email us at thursdaytwilighttalks@proton.me