River talks to flow at BMI

THE Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute is inviting the community to dive into its Twilight Talks series which will return to the Humffray Room from next week, exploring the Yarrowee River.

Various guest speakers will present on the waterway traditionally known by Wadawurrung people as Yaramlok, its environment and ecology, history, secrets, links to culture, and how residents are working to restore its health.

Convenor Phil Roberts said the Twilight Talks have been running for two decades on many topics.

“It’s an ideal, interesting and informative way for people to engage with highly credentialed speakers, and there’s always a question time,” he said.

BMI’s Twilight Talks begin next Wednesday evening, 13 April at 5.30pm, hosted by the ABC’s Prue Bentley, with presentations from Cr Belinda Coates and former City environmental manager Hedley Thomson on the Yarrowee, then and now.

Talks from various experts from the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Friends of the Canadian Corridor, Leigh Catchment Group, and Federation and La Trobe universities will be presented in the following weeks until Wednesday 11 May, covering wildlife, waterway protection, sludge, and the Yarrowee’s various uses.

If you have memories, stories or photos of the Yarrowee, whether as a river, a creek or simply a drain, the BMI encourages you to email them to [email protected]. Those who participate could win a ticket to Twilight Talks.

Visit ballaratmi.org.au/events for more information and tickets, which are $8 for BMI members, and $12 for the general public.