The required public distancing will be observed. Hand wash available. Sign in required. In consideration for other people we would request that you wear a mask.

APRIL 2021

2.00 PM Saturday, 10th April

"Sydney Public Sculptures: Gods and Goddesses-The enduring appeal"

Speaker: Robijn Alexanda

We have an enduring fascination with the gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome, and this talk will be a look at public sculptures in Sydney depicting these characters and Greek myths. Sculptures are spread out in the city, Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens.

Robijn Alexanda is an Art Historian with a special interest in religious art and symbols and she will give us a completely different look at the sculptures in our city.

Bookings not required. Covid conditions will be observed.

Venue: Henry Carmichael Theatre,
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Admission: Members - $5 Visitors - $8

MAY 2021

2.00 PM Saturday, 8th May

"In Her Own Image: Greek-Australian Women"

Speakers: Leonard Janiszewski & Effy Alexakis - Macquarie University, Sydney

Bride Ship’ Begona’ 1957. Photo by courtesy N. Pirtidis.

The stories of Greek-Australian women over almost 200 years reveal and revel in individual and collective successes, failures, hopes and dreams, of an Australia of challenges, a Greece of memory and a faith in the unfolding of a potentially unlimited future. This presentation attempts to instigate a commencement along the road of detailed inquiry into a historical understanding of Greek-Australian women.

Bookings not required. Covid conditions will be observed.

Venue: Henry Carmichael Theatre,
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Admission: Members - $5 Visitors - $8

JUNE 2021

2.00 PM Saturday, 12th June

"The Cato Street Conspiracy : The Australian Connectionl"

Speaker: Kieran Hannan

Kieran Hannan tells the story of little known attempt by a group of London radicals to overthrow the British government, initiate a revolution, change Britain into a people's republic and 'free' Ireland.

The group were intercepted at Cato Street Marylebone before setting off to assassinate the British Cabinet at a 'Grand Cabinet Dinner' at Lord Harrowby's, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair on 23 Feb 1820.The raid resulted in a Bow Street Runner death and some Runners and Coldstream Guard soldiers being injured. Eleven conspirators were tried for high treason and sentenced to death by being 'hung, drawn and quartered'. They were the last in England to ever receive this penalty, and the last in the 1800s to be convicted of high treason.

However, the King respited these harsh sentences to 'hanging and beheading' for five, 'transportation for life' for another five, and 6 months' imprisonment for one.' This talk will tell the stories of these convicts after arrival in Australia. .

Bookings not required. Covid conditions will be observed.

Venue: Henry Carmichael Theatre,
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney
Admission: Members - $5 Visitors - $8