The Sydney Institute Podcast

Behind The Red Velvet Curtain: The Backstage Story of Ballet in Australia – Valerie Lawson

Valerie Lawson speaks at The Sydney Institute on the 3rd of December 2019

Geoffrey Blainey - A Life Writ Large

Now in his late-eighties, and listed by the National Trust as a “Living Treasure”, Geoffrey Blainey has now published the first volume of his memoirs – Before I Forget. In it, he reflects on his humble beginnings as the son of a Methodist Minister and school teacher, one of five children, and a carefree childhood spent in rural Victoria, from Terang to Leongatha, Geelong to Ballarat. From a young age, these places ignited for Blainey a great affection for the Australian landscape, and a deep curiosity in Australia’s history. To give a taste of the life that brought him to writing, Geoffrey Blainey addressed The Sydney Institute on Wednesday 31 July 2019.

Imre Salusinszky - The Hilton Bombing: Evan Pederick and the Ananda Marga

Imre Salusinszky speaks to The Sydney Institute about his book The Hilton Bombing: Evan Pederick and the Ananda Marga.In 1978, Evan Pederick, a naive 22-year-old in the thrall of a radical religious movement, Ananda Marga, placed an enormous bomb outside Sydney's Hilton Hotel. It killed three people. A decade later, Pederick confessed to this act of terrorism. But when one of his alleged accomplices was later acquitted, significant parts of Pederick's testimony were undermined and he was accused of being a 'fantasist'. Conspiracy theories flooded in to fill the vacuum. Was it a plot by ASIO, rather than, as Pederick asserted, a plot to assassinate the Indian prime minister? In the absence of a Royal Commission or similar inquiry, mystery continues to shroud the deadliest terror attack on Australian soil. Pederick, an Anglican priest, stands by his confession and testimony. Here is his story, told for the first time. It is an extraordinary tale of guilt, remorse, renewal, and the search for forgiveness.

Ursula Dubosarsky – Reading and Childhood Education

Ursula Dubosarky (Australian writer, Australian Children’s Laureate 2020-2021) speaks to The Sydney Institute and is interviewed by Anne Henderson

John Anderson: The Quiet Australians – Why I Blog

The Hon John Anderson is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from New South Wales, who spent 19 years from 1989 in the Australian Parliament. This included six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister. These days, John Anderson is best known for his “John Anderson” blog – offering a range of conversations and podcasts with opinion leaders. He recently sponsored the visit to Australia by Dr Jordan B Peterson. On Wednesday 11 September 2019, John Anderson addressed The Sydney Institute to explain why he created his blog and to air some of the issues that guests he speaks to have discussed.

Fifty Years Sober: An Alcoholic’s Journey - Ross Fitzgerald

Ross Fitzgerald speaks to The Sydney Institute about his memoir Fifty Years Sober: An Alcoholic's Journey