Big Ideas

The leading playwright Joanna Murray-Smith makes a powerful case for the role of the arts in Australian public life, arguing that moral righteousness is stifling artistic expression. The last ever Stephen Murray-Smith Memorial Lecture was recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 8 October 2024. Speaker Joanna Murray-Smith Playwright, screenwriter and novelist

How should we reflect on wars, past and present? Do the rituals of Remembrance Day and Anzac Day hold meaning for young people? Natasha Mitchell is joined by a crowd of high school students and special guests with opinions on the future of commemoration. This event was hosted and organised by Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance to mark its 90th anniversary. Speakers: Che Weon (Michelle) Lee Masters of architecture student, University of Melbourne School of Design Granddaughter of Korean war veteran (Michelle's Shrine design is linked to below) William Muhlhauser Year 9 student, Haileybury College Member, ‘Winjeels’ student club, Moorabbin Air Museum Recipient of 2024 Spirit of Anzac Prize Zackary Melvaine Year 11 student, Mill Park Secondary College Australian army cadet Member of Australian Defense Force's National Drone Racing Team Youth Mayor of the City of Whittlesea Recipient of 2023 Premier's Spirit of Anzac Prize Thanks to Sue Burgess and Laura Thomas at the Shrine of Remembrance. Further information: "First Songline" Che Weon (Michelle) Lee's design for the Shrine of Remembrance for her Masters degree in Architecture Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance 90th anniversary events Drone warfare, technology and the psyche: an insider speaks [this episode of Science Friction by Natasha Mitchell is mentioned in this program] What it's really like to live with drone warfare [illustrated feature] Premier's Spirit of Anzac Prize Shrine of Remembrance Young Ambassador Leadership program

It needs strong leadership and good coordination. But most of all, it needs public opinion to rise up and push policy makers to tackle this crisis. Canada can teach us a lesson in how to do that. Homelessness is a systemic housing problem – not caused by mental health issues or drug abuse.  Presented at the Australian Homelessness Conference, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Speakers Tim Richter Founder, President & CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) Carmel Haugh Systems and Community Lead for the Brisbane Zero collaboration, Micah Projects David Pearson CEO Australian Alliance to End Homelessness   Dr Tom Alves Head of Development, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Further information Big Ideas – Housing as a human right? With Alan Kohler and Kevin Bell

When you're alive, the idea of dying feels weird, remote, alien. Yet it's the one experience we will all have. Can philosophy help us make sense of that weirdness?  What can talking about death and dying teach us about living? Natasha Mitchell is joined by a philosopher, funeral director, and a First Nations' songman for an uplifting, insightful conversation on death. This event is part of the Sophia Club live philosophy event series, presented by Aeon Media, publishers of Aeon and Psyche.  Speakers: Kimba Griffith Co-founder and co-owner, The Last Hurrah Professor Klaus Jahn Philosopher School of Historical and Philosophical Studies and Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Melbourne Fred Leone Butchella songman, musician, and performer Garrwa-Mambaliya Clan Thanks to Sophia Club event creators and producers Brigid Hains (Editorial director, Aeon Media), Rosie Black, Jasmine Walter. Further information: LIsten and read a Days Like These feature and podcast about Fred Leone’s family story about a king, escape and connection to country.

From To Kill a Mockingbird to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, there are no shortage of options to include on those lists of "The Great American Novel". But which is the real plot in the story of America? This event was recorded at the University of Melbourne on 24 October 2024. Speaker Sarah Churchwell Professor of American Literature and Chair in Public Understanding of the Humanities, University of London Author, Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and The Invention of The Great Gatsby, The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells, and more