National treasure to talk future

A VETERAN historian, dubbed a living national treasure by the National Trust of Australia will soon visit the region to talk about the present and future state of the world.

Educator, historian, and author Professor Geoffrey Blainey is set to grace the halls of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute to give a presentation; The world in 2025 and beyond: What is the good news? What is the not-so-good news?

BMI president Paula Nicholson said Professor Blainey’s talk will touch on all-encompassing themes relevant to Ballarat and the wider world.

“It’s about the state of the world today,” she said.

“Geoffrey’s written a lot of books including a history of the world as well so he feels he’s in a really good position and it’s an interesting time to speak on that.

“It’s about where are we now and going forward.”

Ms Nicholson said she hopes to see many young people amongst Professor Blainey’s audience.

“I know he has a lot of followers within the older demographic who know him,” she said.

“But I also hope it will bring in some young people because I they really are concerned about the future of the world, what’s going on at home, and what’s happening in the world today.”

With more than 40 books to his name, including A Short History of the World published in 2000, Professor Blainey has served as University of Melbourne’s Ernest Scott Professor of History, and was also the inaugural chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Professor Blainey’s background also extends to the region; he served as foundation chancellor from 1994 to 1998 at the University of Ballarat, now Federation University.

Ms Nicholson said funds from the presentation will allow BMI staff to continue delivering similar presentations.

“The talk will go into funding more and more programs so we can showcase what we’ve got but also to offer different engagement opportunities, to bring more people into the building to hopefully expand our membership,” she said.

“We’ve always ben very non-secular and made room for everybody, and we’re very diverse in our offerings. This will underpin that.”

Professor Blainey’s talk will take place on Wednesday 6 March from 7pm.

Tickets range from $55 general admission, $121 VIP, and $38 for BMI and students. To book, visit bit.ly/4aLfNf6.