Members are invited to attend the 2025 Gary Morgan Oration, delivered in the library by Dr Alisa Bunbury, the Senior Curator, Grimwade Collection at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne.

When Melbourne was established, the Birrarung (Yarra) river immediately became a feature in depictions of the developing city. This talk, titled The Birrarung and Melbourne, art and images, will explore changing visual representations of, and attitudes towards, the river in Melbourne's first century.

The Gary Morgan Oration was established by Rare Books Melbourne in 2024 to acknowledge the significant contribution made by Gary Morgan to the understanding and the preservation of Melbourne's early history, and to recognise his long-term support of Melbourne Rare Book Week.

The talk will be held on Tuesday 4 March with doors opening at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start. Although this event is free for members and guests, bookings are essential and can be made through Trybooking using this link.

Musician, singer-songwriter, composer and record producer Mick Harvey will be joined by Mexican singer and filmmaker Amanda Acevedo to perform songs from his recent albums on February 28.

Mick is best known for his long-term collaborations with Nick Cave and has released several albums as a solo artist.

The performance will be held on Friday 28 February with doors opening at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm performance. This event is free for members and $20 for guests. Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link.

The Flinders Quartet has chosen two evocative pieces of music for its next performance in the library, on February 21.

The quartet will perform Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's powerful string quartet, Bungaree, which was inspired by a figure who should be an Australian household name.

Bungaree came to prominence in 1798 when he accompanied Matthew Flinders on a journey from the mainland to Tasmania, working as an interpreter and guide. From 1801 to 1803 he joined Flinders on his circumnavigation of Australia and Flinders described him as a "worthy and brave fellow" who saved the expedition multiple times.

Along with Bungaree, the Flinders Quartet will also perform Dvorak's String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat Major, Op. 105. Dvorak wrote his last chamber work at the very end of his time in America when he found himself yearning to return to his homeland, the Czech Republic.

The performance will be held on Friday 21 February with doors opening at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm performance. This event is free for members and $20 for guests. Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link.