Hazel Hall is an Australian poet and musicologist who works across a wide range of poetic forms. She holds a PhD in Education from Monash University. From 2012 to 2018, Hazel was founder and convenor of the School of Music Poets, ACT: an ekphrastic group that collaborated with musicians, song writers, and artists to produce a series of poetry chapbooks. She directed the monthly event Poetry at Manning Clark House in Canberrra from 2018 to 2022. Hazel’s work can be found in a wide range of local and overseas anthologies and journals and has been a featured poet in printed journals, on websites and blogs. She has won a number of prizes and editors’ awards.

Deborah Dawkings is a Canberra poet, working on her first collection. She writes mostly about family, the female gaze and the uncanny. A number of her poems have been published by The Canberra Times and Cordite. She was shortlisted for the 2023 Australian Catholic University prize.

Manning Clark House, Tasmania Circle, Forrest

John Cranko's production of Romeo and Juliet for the Stuttgart Ballet is considered one of the definitive versions being performed in the world today.  Based on Shakespeare's world famous tale of two lovers in Renaissance Italy who find themselves caught between their feuding families, Cranko's vividly etched characters and breathtaking choreography bring this tragedy to splendid life.  Set to Sergei Prokofiev's lush score, the ballet contains dramatic roles for the young Juliet and her passionate lover Romeo, for Romeo's impetuous friend Mercutio and for Juliet's bullying relative Tybalt.  Breath-taking pas de deux, dashing sword fights, colourful ensemble scenes as well as Jürgen Rose's magnificent sets and costumes evoking the sunlit streets of Verona enhance the action of the ballet while never obscuring the choreography.

Light refreshments will be served before the film screening

MCH members $20; Concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $20; Non-members $25

Seating is strictly limited – book early to avoid disappointment

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CZZZB

Triumph Over Adversity: Penny Lockwood’s Inspiring talk.

In a moving and deeply personal talk, Penny Lockwood recounts her extraordinary journey of resilience in the face of adversity. She speaks candidly about growing up under the shadow of ASIO surveillance, the stigma associated with her father’s (Rupert Lockwood) political activism, and the personal challenges she encountered as a result. Rather than allowing these experiences to define her negatively, Penny transformed them into a source of strength, using her story to advocate for justice, personal empowerment, and the importance of standing by one’s principles.

Her talk is not just a reflection on the past but a call to action. She highlights the lessons learned from her father’s battles with political repression, her own encounters with institutional overreach, and the resilience she developed in response. Penny emphasizes the importance of questioning authority, defending civil rights, and finding the inner strength to persevere through hardship.

With warmth, wisdom, and a touch of humor, Penny Lockwood’s speech inspires audiences to confront their own struggles with courage, to challenge injustice wherever it appears, and to never allow adversity to silence their voices.

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CZIEX

Suzanne Schultz: Champion of Governance and Community Engagement

Suzanne Schultz is a distinguished psychologist and governance expert based in Canberra, Australia. With a career spanning over four decades, she has made significant contributions to the education and health sectors, as well as to the broader community through her extensive board experience. Suzanne has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) for approximately 15 years and previously served as the ACT Manager for the AICD. Her commitment to community service is further exemplified by her past position as Vice-President (Governance) on the Board of EveryMan, a Canberra-based organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals. Strengthening Bonds Across Generations: Suzanne Schultz at Manning Clark House.

In her upcoming presentation at Manning Clark House, Suzanne Schultz will delve into the profound impact of inter-generational connections on individuals and communities. Drawing from her extensive experience in psychology and community service, she will explore how relationships between different age groups foster mutual understanding, reduce loneliness, and build cohesive societies. Suzanne will share insights into the benefits of these connections, such as the transmission of wisdom from older to younger generations and the fresh perspectives that youth offer to their elders. She will also discuss practical strategies for cultivating these relationships within families, workplaces, and community organizations, emphasizing their role in enhancing emotional well-being and societal empathy. Attendees can expect an engaging session that highlights the importance of bridging generational gaps to create a more connected and supportive community. As a Psychologist and Fulbright scholar Suzanne is intrigued with collaboration, across sectors, nations and generations to create what would not otherwise be possible.

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CZILH

International Women’s Day – Stories to celebrate women

We will be celebrating International Women's Day by running a creative storytelling workshop at Manning Clark House. We are inviting people keen to share stories about the wonderful women in their lives. In this workshop everyone will get an opportunity to stop, reflect, write and share in creative ways the many women in their lives who have provided support and helped along the way.

Dr Claire Manning is a passionate advocate for education, arts, diversity, accessibility and inclusion. She has had a successful 20 + year portfolio career in a variety of research, project management, program development and implementation roles in both private and public sector organisations. Over the last decade, she has worked as a project coordinator, researcher, program designer and facilitator in both the university and community sectors. This work has strengthened her knowledge, skills and expertise in areas including disability, Indigenous health, inclusion and supporting older Australians.

Alongside her community sector work, Claire’s research and facilitation focus for several decades has been related to how aspects of arts-based and creative practices can enhance learning experiences and build understanding in education, community and workplace settings.

Bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/CZEMI

Elizabeth Reid: A Trailblazer for Women's Rights

Elizabeth Reid is a pioneering Australian feminist, academic, and policy advisor known for her groundbreaking work in advancing gender equity. In 1973, she made history as the world's first advisor on women's affairs to a head of government when she was appointed by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This role positioned her at the forefront of policy development, advocating for women’s rights in areas such as employment, education, and reproductive health.

Throughout her career, Reid has worked extensively in international development, focusing on gender equity, HIV/AIDS policy, and social justice. Her contributions have had a lasting impact both in Australia and globally, making her a key figure in the ongoing struggle for women's rights.

Feminism: Elizabeth Reid’s Vision for Women

{In an insightful and thought-provoking speech on feminism, Elizabeth Reid explores the historical and contemporary challenges women face in achieving true equality.} She reflects on her experiences as a feminist in government, highlighting both the progress made and the persistent barriers that remain.

Reid discusses the importance of intersectionality in feminism, emphasizing that gender equity must be pursued alongside broader social justice issues, including economic inequality, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. She also examines the role of feminism in shaping public policy, urging governments to commit to systemic change rather than symbolic gestures.

Elizabeth calls on the next generation to continue pushing for progress, challenging patriarchal structures, and ensuring that feminism remains a force for inclusive and transformative change.

In the first presentation of the Energy Transition 2025 series, David Glynne Jones will report on the current status, key trends and outlook for the global transition to a low emission energy economy, and will review progress in energy transition in 2024.

3pm Sunday 23 February, 2025

Bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/CYWQV

Truth-listening in a time of truth-telling: An exclusive conversation with two acclaimed historians

Step into the captivating world of history as Professor Clare Wright and Professor Frank Bongiorno come together for an illuminating conversation about Clare's latest book “Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions” and her groundbreaking body of work.

Known for her sharp insights and evocative storytelling, Clare Wright has redefined how we view Australia's past. From the hidden stories of women who shaped the nation's identity to unearthing pivotal moments that echo into today, her work is a treasure trove of discovery. Most recently, Clare has been appointed the new Chair of the National Museum of Australia Council.

Joining Clare is Professor Frank Bongiorno, an esteemed historian renowned for his eloquent analyses of Australia's social and political evolution. Together, they’ll delve into the themes, challenges, and triumphs that have defined Clare's career, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her latest masterpiece, the final instalment of her Democracy Trilogy.

Expect thought-provoking dialogue, rich anecdotes, and a celebration of the power of history to inform the future. Whether you're a lifelong history enthusiast or curious about the stories that shape our world, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and deeply moved. Reserve your spot now and be part of this remarkable exchange between two titans of historical storytelling!

There will be a Q&A session following the presentation, then light refreshments.
MCH members $15; Concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CXZJR

“AUKUS: Going from bad to worse”

The AUKUS agreement - or USUKA, whatever one prefers – is a disaster for Australia and the region, for multiple reasons.  It is shrouded in secrecy and opacity, prohibitively expensive, destabilising and provocative. The current state of the implementation of the agreement will be outlined briefly, followed by discussion of how we can help to undermine it and continue to deny the “social licence” that it still lacks.

Dr Sue Wareham OAM has spoken and written widely on peace and disarmament issues and is President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) and a board member of ICAN (the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) Australia. Dr Wareham is a former Canberra GP.

There will be a Q&A session following the presentation, then light refreshments.
MCH members $15; Concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20

Bookings at: https://www.trybooking.com/CYDUR

The climate calamity and the future of humanity.

Dr Andrew Glikson is an Earth and Paleo-climate Scientist, at BEES (Biology Earth Science, Environmental Science), the University of New South Wales

He graduated from The University of Western Australia, was a Principal Research Scientist with the Australian Geological Survey organization (now Geoscience Australia), conducted extensive geological surveys in central and western Australia, studied the evolution of the early Earth, the effects of asteroid and comet impacts on the Earth with reference to mass extinction of species, and the inter-relationships between human evolution and the atmosphere. He has an impact crater and an asteroid named after him by Eugene Shoemaker, late head of the United States Astrogeology Branch of the US Geological Survey.
There will be a Q&A session following the presentation, then light refreshments.
MCH members $15; Concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20

Sunday 2 February 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (UTC+11)

Location

Manning Clark House
11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest ACT 2603

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CYDHA

Tony Steven Williams is a Canberra poet, short-fiction author and occasional songwriter with many publications in domestic and international journals and anthologies. Tony’s poetic output is diverse including much free verse, a touch of traditional, plus Japanese styles such as tanka, tanka prose and haibun. His poetry flicks between dark and humorous; he considers this a reflection of our rollercoaster lives. An occasional speculative fiction piece is a frequent visitor. However, in all his work, the environment and the human condition are very important to him. Tony is the former convenor of local poetry group Tram Stop Poets (now run by Rohan Buettel) and has performed at various venues including Manning Clark House and Smith’s Alternative. His two poetry collections (Ginninderra Press) are Sun and Moon, Light and Dark (2018) and Reimmersion (2023).

Isi Unikowski is a Canberra poet, with an extensive publication history in Australia and overseas. In 2017 he was selected as one of the Australian Capital Territory's representatives on the Australian Book Review’s ‘States of Poetry’ website. Isi’s debut collection Kintsugi was published in 2022 by Puncher & Wattman.

Isi has worked as a public servant and academic, and he has a PhD from the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CYDEY

Dr Claire Manning - Magnolia Learning – Creative-in-Residence Series 2025

Saturday 18 January – 3 to 5pm
First of three Saturday afternoon workshops run by Dr Claire Manning from Magnolia
Learning with support of Manning Clark House. The workshop fees from these workshops will be donated to Manning Clark House to fund other initiatives in 2025.
Hello 2025 Tales and Tea Storytelling Workshop
Over a cup of tea this workshop is a great way to start your year creatively. It is designed for all levels of experience and interest. These workshops allow soon-to-
be storytellers the opportunity to take a first step to play with words, find a voice and start writing PLUS provides a chance for experienced (creative, workplace, academic) storytellers, to give themselves time to experiment and nurture their creative wellbeing. Claire Manning runs her workshops with whoever turns up and over the years ages have ranged from 6 to 86 years. Claire has run the workshops
in art galleries, fire sheds, workplaces, community halls, parties and in people’s homes with people enjoying all aspects of the tale telling process and Claire always
feels privileged to hear people’s stories.

Dr Claire Manning is a passionate advocate for education, arts, diversity,
accessibility and inclusion. She has had a successful 20 + year portfolio career in a variety of research, project management, program development and implementation roles in both private and public sector organisations.
Over the last decade, she has worked as a project coordinator, researcher, program designer and facilitator in both the university and community sectors. This work has strengthened her knowledge, skills and expertise in areas including disability, Indigenous health, inclusion and supporting older Australians. Alongside her tertiary education and community sector work,
Claire’s research and facilitation focus for several decades has been related to how aspects of arts-based
and creative practices can enhance learning experiences and build understanding in education, community and workplace settings.

This will be a lovely afternoon experience with afternoon tea included.

Tickets are limited - S60pp - https://www.trybooking.com/CXYDD

Launch of The Connected Species by Dr Mark Williams and conversation: Children and screens - making it through the holidays

Thursday December 12, 7.00pm

Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle Forrest

Join us to celebrate Mark’s best-seller and the author in conversation with Toni Hassan

Dr Mark A. Williams is a professor of cognitive neuroscience with 25 years’ experience

researching and publishing on how our brains work and the impact of technologies.

Toni Hassan is an advocate for play-based childhoods, an award-winning writer, artist and

facilitator.

Manning Clark House members $15; concession $15; Non-members $20

Refreshments and 15% discount on The Connected Species included

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/CXKER

Follow the Music

Songs for the season

Sunday December 8, 6.00 p.m.              

Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle Forrest

Join us for an enchanting evening filled with beautiful music, delicious food and drinks. The event features performances by talented music students from CITSol and CIT, joined by The MC Singers and Sam Row on piano, all set in the charming house and grounds of Manning Clark House. Inspired by the journey of the Magi, this concert is led by MCH Music Director and CITSol Vocal Teacher, Fleur Millar.

As you follow the music, enjoy champagne and canapés in the front courtyard, immerse yourself in the artistic ambiance of the living room, relax in the peaceful Zen courtyard, and conclude the evening with mince pies and a glass of mulled wine beneath a tree planted in honour of Dymphna Clark in the back garden as the sun sets.

By attending, you'll be supporting a new generation of musicians while experiencing the transformative power of music across all ages and genres. This inspirational musical journey promises to touch the soul and celebrate the joy of the season.

 Performers:

• Thompson Quan Wing, Tenor – O Holy Night and The Little Drummer Boy.

• Jonathan Boscarato, Saxophone – Bessie's Blues and more.

• The Other Secculls, Vocal Guitar Duo – Joni Mitchell's California, Florence and the Machine's Cosmic Love, and more.

• Phoebe Acton, Contemporary Vocals – Adele’s Make You Feel My Love and more.

• Sam Row, Solo Piano – Walking in the Air.

Additionally, Fleur Millar, Karol Andrzejewski, and The MC Singers will perform a selection of carols, African American spirituals, and pieces from The Messiah.

 MCH members $15; concession (Gov’t Support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20 

Bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/CWLQT

Kathy Kituai: Poet, diarist has been an assistant editor for The Institute of PNG Studies, creative editor for Muse and tanka editor for Cattails, facilitated creative writing courses in Scotland, SA, NSW, and ACT since 1990, and is published in Japan, UK, USA, Canada, India, New Zealand, PNG and Australia. She served as a host for Poetry at Manning Clark House and as vice president for FAW,, founded and facilitated Limestone Tanka Poets (10 years), was on the Lake George (Weereewa) festival board, received ARTS ACT Funding (twice), and two Canberra Critic awards. The Art of Catching Jam Before it Burns, (new and selected poetry, 1992 --- 2023) is her latest publication. 

Kerrie Nelson is a Canberra poet who writes as K A Nelson. She is a former Australian Public Servant who spent most of her career working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities. She came to poetry early in her life and then came back to it much later, winning the Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets in 2010. 

In 2015 Nelson’s first pamphlet of printed poems, A Chosen Life, appeared with Cait Wait’s paintings in an exhibition and reading at The Residency in Alice Springs. Two full-length collections published by Recent Work Press followed:  Inlandia (2018) and Meaty Bones (2023), both were highly commended in the ACT Writers’ Centre publishing award (now Marion). Meaty Bones also received a Canberra Critics Circle Award late last year. Geoff Page reviewed Meaty Bones for Quadrant in April this year and Kimberly Williams and ArtSound FM interviewed Nelson for their ‘Poets on the Radio’ series. 

Publications of poems have appears in Best Australian Poems, Mascara Literary Journal, Rabbit Literary Journal, Not Very Quiet, Arena among others. Poems have been included in many anthologies too. 

In 2021 K A Nelson graduated from the University of Canberra’s Masters by Research degree. Her exegesis explored white privilege and its legacy in Australia. The creative component, a memoir with poetry, is entitled Searching for the Glad Tomorrow, focused on lessons from her working life. 

Kerrie coordinated the poetry readings at MCH for a year, inheriting that honour from Kathy Kituai and handing it on to Hazel Hall. She says it’s always a pleasure reading at MCH because it was the first place she read her work in 2013 as a novice, with her mother and daughter present.

Tickets - https://www.trybooking.com/CWWOW

2024 Manning Clark Lecture

Simon Holmes à Court

The Politics of Energy Transition

Tuesday 10 September at 6.00pm

Coombs Lecture Theatre, ANU, Canberra

As the transition to a global economy based on the sustainable use of low emission energy proceeds, Simon Holmes à Court will speak about the forces shaping the political debate, policy-making, investment decisions and delivery that are critical for achieving the rate and scale of energy transition needed before the middle of the 21st century.

Simon Holmes à Court is an energy analyst, clean technology investor, climate philanthropist and a director of the Smart Energy Council, The Superpower Institute and the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network. He was the driving force behind Australia’s first community-owned windfarm and is the founder of Climate 200, a community crowdfunding initiative that supports political candidates committed to a science-based response to the climate crisis. He writes regularly about the transformation of Australia’s energy sector.

There will be a Q&A session following the address, then light refreshments

MCH members $20; Concession $25; General admission $30

https://www.trybooking.com/CTMUZ

Music and Words - The Art of Song

A vocal concert with Fleur Millar, Soprano, Richard Orchard, Baritone, and Thompson Quan Wing, Tenor and guest artists. With Colin Forbes, piano and Sam Row, Piano

Sunday August 11 at 3.00 p.m.

Manning Clark House, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest

This concert will explore the work of Schubert and his great muse, the poet Goethe, by celebrating the union between words and music - the art song. Goethe’s poems were a great inspiration for art song of the 19th century and in this concert, they provide a springboard for singing beautiful art song throughout the ages. This concert will include professional, semi-professional and advanced students of classical voice, singing mainly art song repertoire, accompanied on piano by Colin Forbes and Sam Row. Music includes Fleur Millar singing Schubert and Goethe’s song, ‘Gretchen am Spinnrade’. Richard Orchard and Colin Forbes will interpret Beethoven’s ‘An die Ferne Geliebte’, with poetry by Wilhelm Muller, illuminating how Schubert, a contemporary of Beethoven, was influenced by the great artist and made the style his own. There will also be some early Italian bel canto song of Bellini – in which words and music flow together, sung by Thompson Quan Wing, the Italian bel canto being an inspiration for the German artists.

Future MCH Music concerts may include students from CIT and The Canberra School of Music; a concert of 18th Century vocal music by Rameau including excerpts of the work ‘Les Indes Galant’; a concert show-casing Canberra Chamber Music and finishing the year with a concert of Canberra’s ‘Rising Stars.’

Fleur Millar holds a BMUS Music Perf in Voice, VCA Melbourne University and is Director of Music at MCHI, her work includes, Canberra School of Music, CIT, The Canberra Street Theatre. A music graduate of Sydney Con, Colin Forbes work includes with Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Essen Hochschule Germany. Sam Row is a Graduate of the Queensland Con, and work includes for National Opera and Art Song Canberra. Richard Orchard was Cantor at St Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn and currently studying for LMus in voice with Colin Forbes and Thompson Quan Wing returns to singing having sung with companies including Canberra City Opera and lessons with David Parker.

There will be a discussion after the concert followed by refreshments.

MCH members $15; concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20

https://www.trybooking.com/CTMUP

Profits over people: Australia’s housing crisis (and what we can do about it) - Richard Denniss

Wednesday, 17 July, 6pm

Australian Institute of Architects - 2a Mugga Way, Red Hill, Canberra

Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis, with rents and house prices soaring increasingly out of reach. The debate over what to do about it has been mired with obscurity, and for the most part, Government response has been piecemeal at best. How did we get here? And what can be done?

Join Richard Denniss as he unpacks the simple solutions at the disposal of governments, and why we haven’t done it yet.

This event is a collaboration between Manning Clark House Inc., The Australia Institute and the Australian Institute of Architects. It inaugurates a program of activities on housing issues Manning Clark House will be offering through the second half of 2024.

 There will be a Q&A session following the presentation, then light refreshments

 MCH members $15; concession (Gov’t Support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20 

Tickets:  https://www.trybooking.com/CTEIJ