Videos - The Wheeler Centre: Books, Writing, Ideas

Texts in the City: One Night the Moon

We examine Rachel Perkins' 2001 film One Night the Moon, with Tony Birch and Kaarin Fairfax (who appeared in the film).

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Hugh de Kretser: All Right For Us But Not for Them: Selectivity in Australia's Human Rights Protection

Hugh de Kretser argues that a bill of rights is an essential part of maturing Australia's human rights culture.

Intelligence Squared Debate: Anzac Day is More Puff Than Substance

Six panellists each make their case for remembrance and national mythmaking in this lively Oxford-style debate.

Children's Book Festival 2013: Bronwyn Bancroft

Children's book illustrator and artist Bronwyn Bancroft speaks to Leesa Lambert about the stories and ideas behind he...

The Holocaust and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Jay Winter

Jay Winter examines the role of René Cassin in making human rights as a fundamental form of Holocaust commemoration.

Children's Book Festival 2013: Freya Blackwood

Children's book illustrator Freya Blackwood chats with Leesa Lambert at the Children's Book Festival 2013.

The School of Life Melbourne Secular Sermon Series: John Safran ON UNREST

Documentarian and contrarian John Safran delivers a surprising Secular Sermon on the unrest of a man who has killed a...

Unexpected Passions: Dave O'Neil and Kick Gurry

Adam Zwar guest-hosts Unexpected Passions, with comedian Dave O'Neil on the music of the 1980s and actor Kick Gurry o...

The School of Life Melbourne Secular Sermon Series: David Woods ON HUMOUR

David Woods presents the inaugural Melbourne Secular Sermon from The School of Life, at the State Library's Dome Read...

Texts in the City: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Lili Wilkinson and guest Ailsa Piper explore Ray Lawler's Australian classic, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll.

The Fifth Estate: The Ambassadors

Guests Amanda Vanstone and Michael Wesley join Sally Warhaft to discuss the work of the modern ambassador.

Room to Read: John Wood

John Wood tells the story of his library-building charity Room to Read, fostering native language literacy in some of...

Texts in the City: Persuasion

This edition of Texts in the City features Lili Wilkinson and Laura Carroll discussing Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Intelligence Squared Debate: Our Food Obsession Has Gone Too Far

Is our food obsession excessive, or can it drive social change and wellbeing? Explore the issue in this debate.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Yvonne Ward: Unsuitable for Publication: Editing Queen Victoria

Historian Yvonne Ward talks about key details of Queen Victoria's private life, shielded from public knowledge until ...

J.M. Coetzee: A Reading

In this very special event, acclaimed novelist J.M. Coetzee reads from his new book, The Childhood of Jesus.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Sean Faircloth: Attack of the Theocrats: How the Religious Right Harms Us All

Sean Faircloth makes his case for secular governance, and outlines the risks of the contrary - both in the US and in ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Kirstie Clements: Inside the Fashion Juggernaut: The good, the bad and the really ugly

Former Vogue Australia editor Kirstie Clements takes us behind the glamour and headlines of the fast-changing fashion...

Abha Dawesar

In this web-only special, award-winning Indian-born writer Abha Dawesar drops by to discuss art, her homeland, and of...

Australian Literature 102: Henry Lawson: The Drover's Wife

Martin Flanagan and James Ley discuss an Australian classic - Henry Lawson's short story The Drover's Wife.

Tasmania's Tipping Point

Contributors to Griffith Review's Tasmania edition speak with its editor about the privileges and pitfalls of the isl...

Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig looks back on a career of whimsy, joy and provocation - and draws live. In conversation with Michael W...

Texts in the City: Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?

Tony Birch and Josephine Rowe explore Raymond Carver's 1976 short story collection, Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?

Joyful Strains

Danny Katz, Shalini Akhil and Arnold Zable reflect on their personal experiences of making Australia home.

The Fifth Estate: Regional Partnerships and Diplomatic Deals

Sally Warhaft, Tim Lindsey and Julian McMahon discuss Australia's diplomatic relationship with Indonesia.

Ideas for Melbourne: Making Racism History

What are we doing to combat racism? And how can we learn from past mistakes?

The Fifth Estate: Diplomacy, Disasters and Deals: Foreign Policy 2013

At the beginning of an election year, guests from The Lowy Institute discuss foreign policy's likely directions in 2013.

Texts in the City: Brooklyn

Tony Birch and Corrie Perkin discuss Colm Tóibín's Brooklyn.

Ideas for Melbourne: The City of the Future

Can a big Melbourne remain beautiful - let alone liveable or sustainable? Can we have it all, or do tough choices lie...

Intelligence Squared Debate: Euthanasia Should be Legalised

In this sensitive, complex ethical debate, our six panellists debate the proposition that Euthanasia Should be Legali...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Sarah Marland on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their Homelands

Considering political responses to Indigenous rights, Sarah Marland tries to understand why governments have been fai...

Ian Rankin

Bestselling Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin chats about the return of Rebus, a changing Scotland, and making it up a...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Adam Smith: Where is the Love: Are Our Public Institutions Failing Our Young People?

Adam Smith delivers a passionate speech, presenting powerful arguments for better support of young people.

Foxtel/AWF Screenwriter's Address: Andrew Bovell

Screenwriter Andrew Bovell delivers a passionate speech on collaboration and integrity in writing for film.

Geordie Williamson: The Burning Library

Geordie Williamson explains his passion for Australian literature's past masters. With Sarah L'Estrange.

The Fifth Estate: The World's Largest Party: China

China correspondent John Garnaut chats to Sally Warhaft about the behemoth's changing political guard, and what it me...

Making the News

Margaret Simons, Greg Jericho and Jonathan Holmes consider how journalism can find its way in a tech- and media-savvy...

Unexpected Passions: Tony Moclair and Jess McGuire

In this edition of Unexpected Passions, Jess McGuire confesses to her love of British reality pop band Girls Aloud, w...

A Night at the Zoo

Estelle Tang, Cate Kennedy, Judy Horacek and Sally Rippin share their Wheeler Centre Zoo Fellowship works-in-progress...

Travelling With Intent

Steven Amsterdam, Toni Jordan, Jacinta Halloran and Jenny Niven discuss the positives and pitfalls of travel as write...

David Shields in Conversation

Author David Shields speaks to Sally Heath about his wildly inventive manifesto, Reality Hunger.

Quarterly Essay: On Politics and Conservation: Tim Flannery

Tim Flannery joins Jane Rawson to discuss Australia's urgent environmental responsibilities and his ideas for a new a...

Kathy Lette

Kathy Lette unleashes her hyperactive wit and talks fiction, humour and autism with Monica Dux.

The Fifth Estate: He Said/He Said

Dennis Altman, Jeff Sparrow and Sally Warhaft discuss life and love in Australia today - from straight and gay male p...

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: Neil Gaiman

Genre-crunching writer Neil Gaiman talks to Alicia Sometimes about his new book, daleks, and singing like a novelist.

Red Rock and Roll

Musician and promoter Jon Campbell dishes the dirt on China's thriving rock ('yaogun') music scene. With Mikey Cahill.

Experimenta: Wired Up World

Abigail Moncrieff, Max Barry, Charlie Sofo and chair Phip Murray explore technology, creativity and human connection.

Richard Gill: Give Me Excess Of It

Former Victorian Opera Music Director Richard Gill talks of his passion for music and its crucial role in education.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Catherine Deveny on Pernickety Parents

Catherine Deveny rails against 'detrimental, counterproductive and narcissistic' helicopter parenting in this debate-...

Joshua Cody

Composer Joshua Cody reflects on his raw, cerebral cancer memoir - [sic] - with Chris Flynn.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Adam Kerezsy: Desert Fishing Lessons: Saving Species from Extinction

Freshwater ecologist Dr Adam Kerezsy discusses threats to inland fish in Australia - and how he's helping beseiged po...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Tim Coronel: What Next for the Australian Publishing Industry?

As part of SPUNC's Independent Publishing Conference, Tim Coronel spells out the future of Australian publishing as h...

NonfictioNow Melbourne 2012: Nonfiction: The Art of Truth - Writerly Perspectives

Helen Garner, David Shields, Jose Dalisay Jr and Margo Jefferson join Michael Cathcart to discuss the boundaries and ...

NonfictioNow Melbourne 2012: An Evening with Helen Garner

In an insightful and sometimes funny oration, Helen Garner explores the complex work of nonfiction and the dilemmas o...

AMERICA: What's So Great About American TV?

Is this truly a golden age of television - and if it is, why are American networks and auteurs at its leading edge? O...

Media in the Land of Stars and Stripes

Sophie Black, Richard Fidler, Julia Baird and Siobhan Heanue discuss the media and cultural empires of the anglophone...

Destroying the Joint

In the midst of a national debate over sexism and misogyny, we joined with Overland to examine the significance of se...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Susan Harris Rimmer on Why Refugee Law is Difficult... Even Without the Politics

Dr Susan Harris Rimmer looks at the broader context of forced migration and international law as it relates to refugees.

The Fifth Estate: Food for Thought

A diverse panel of experts discuss our society's obsession with ever more complex dining - while millions starve.

Ishiguro's Robots

Hiroshi Ishiguro introduces his shockingly human androids - and talks about the role he envisions for them in our fut...

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young discusses her pioneering explorations of neuroplasticity with Radio National's Natasha Mitch...

Sjón

"Punk surrealist" Sjón chats to Alan Brough about Iceland's poetic history, the "nice and civilised" Björk and Lars V...

Michael Palin

In a very broad discussion with Michael Williams, Monty Python alumnus, novelist and travel fanatic Michael Palin tal...

Australian Literature 101: Tim Winton: Cloudstreet

In this episode of Australian Literature 101, Ramona Koval is joined by Cloudstreet's first publisher, Hilary McPhee.

Hisham Matar

In conversation with Sarah L'Estrange, Libyan-American writer Hisham Matar dives headlong into the ideas and experien...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Paul Ham on the Atrocities of Sandakan

In this eloquent argument for atonement, Paul Ham recounts the barbaric and long-forgotten ordeal endured by Australi...

Jeff Kinney: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Children's author Jeff Kinney talks about the origins of Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley, his lifelong love of cartooning and ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Nouria Salehi on Basic Health and Education in Afghanistan

Dr Nouria Salehi discusses the composition of projects that have helped to reconstruct and sustainably develop commun...

Texts in the City: Paradise Road

Andrew McDonald and film critic Thomas Caldwell discuss Bruce Beresford's film Paradise Road.

AMERICA: The 2012 Elections: Has America Finally Gone Mad?

American political journalist (and former Carter speechwriter) James Fallows shares his unique insights into the 2012...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Richard Broinowski: Fallout from Fukushima

Richard Broinowski takes us through one of Japan's most tense moments in recent history, and examines how it's shaped...

The Fifth Estate: A Foreign Affair

Foreign affairs heavyweights Gareth Evans and Alexander Downer reflect on the nature of the demanding portfolio. With...

Australian Literature 101: Kim Scott: That Deadman Dance

Philip Morrissey joins Ramona Koval to discuss Kim Scott's award-winning modern classic, That Deadman Dance.

Michael Kirby: Law, Love and Life

Celebrated High Court judge Michael Kirby speaks with biographer Daryl Dellora about his dynamic private and public l...

Universities, Challenged

Rai Gaita, Robert Manne, Glyn Davis and Margaret Gardner discuss the future of universities and the ideals that shape...

Unexpected Passions: George McEncroe and Dave Graney

Guests George McEncroe and Dave Graney share their unfamiliar obsessions - junior football and explorer Sir Richard B...

The Fifth Estate: Good Lord

Sally Warhaft hosts eight of Melbourne City Council's nine candidates for Lord Mayor in the lead-up to 2012 elections.

Katherine Boo

Pulitzer winning journalist and New Yorker writer discusses her account of India's Annawadi slum with Jo Case.

Texts in the City: Two Brothers

Ruby Murray and Stephen Armstrong examine Hannie Rayson's Two Brothers and its social and political underpinnings.

Bill Gammage on the Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia

Bill Gammage discusses the insightful, holistic way in which Aboriginal Australians managed their land.

The Fifth Estate: Media Meltdown

Join Sally Warhaft, Paul Kelly, Andrew Jaspan and Harold Mitchell for a penetrating discussion about the state of mas...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Tim Soutphommasane: Don't Go Back to Where You Came From: Why Multiculturalism Works

Political philosopher and commentator Tim Soutphommasane puts forward his case for why Australian multiculturalism wo...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Michelle Smith: From Prim to Poledance: Girls, Sex and Popular Culture

Examining outrage over the 'sexualisation' of girls, Michelle Smith explores parallels between the Victorian era and ...

Intelligence Squared Debates: Western Civilisation is in Terminal Decline (Audio Only)

Listen to the audio of our Intelligence Squared debate on the proposition 'Western Civilisation is in Terminal Decline'.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Michael Shuman on Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age

Economist, attorney and author Michael Shuman sets out a passionate argument for the benefits of local investment.

Australian Literature 101: Patrick White: Voss

Ramona Koval is joined by Peter Craven, who offers his considered thoughts on Patrick White's classic novel Voss.

Intelligence Squared Debate: Foreign Aid is a Waste of Money

At the Melbourne Town Hall, two teams argue their cases for and against the true worth of Australian foreign aid.

McSweeney's 41: Australian Aboriginal Fiction Edition

Join us for a celebration of McSweeney's 41 - a survey of contemporary Australian Aboriginal fiction - with its edito...

Quarterly Essay - Political Animal: The Making of Tony Abbott: David Marr

In a very lively, candid appearance hosted by George Megalogenis, David Marr discusses his bold, controversial essay ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Clementine Ford: We're All Equal Now, So We Should Shut Up and Go Home

In this polemic, Clementine Ford puts forth a passionate case that we are surprisingly far from achieving equality be...

Dava Sobel

Dava Sobel discusses her account - part-play, part-historical account - of the astronomer Copernicus. With Robin Will...

Australian Literature 101: Helen Garner: Monkey Grip

Critic Kerryn Goldsworthy discusses Helen Garner's iconic book Monkey Grip with Ramona Koval.

Texts in the City: Moral Disorder

Ruby J Murray and Carmel Bird explore Margaret Atwood's classic collection of stories, Moral Disorder.

Faith and Culture: The Voice of Faith and Public Reason: Keynote Address

Series curator Raimond Gaita launches our Faith and Culture program with a keynote lecture arguing why the relationsh...

Faith and Culture: The Voice of Faith and Public Reason: Discussion

Raimond Gaita, Asma Barlas, Susan Neiman, Bernadette Tobin and Scott Stephens discuss Gaita's keynote speech, launchi...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Janine Burke on Artful Nesting

Art historian and writer Janine Burke speaks passionately about the art and mystery of the animal world.

The Fifth Estate: End of Growth?

Sally Warhaft, Satyajit Das and Andrew Charlton take part in a heated debate over the future of economic growth in Au...

The Hazel Rowley Legacy

Alex Miller and Jim Davidson mark the anniversary of their friend Hazel Rowley's passing, and announce the winner of ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Roscoe Howell on Australians and Modern Slavery

Roscoe Howell outlines modern forms of slavery, discussing how it intersects with our decisions, and explaining how w...

Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer: Between the Lines

Jodi and Samantha share their creative journey in this special event.

Texts in the City: A Streetcar Named Desire

Andrew McDonald and Josh Nelson discuss Tennessee Williams' classic play, A Streetcar Named Desire.

Quarterly Essay - The Big Whinge: Laura Tingle

Laura Tingle and Fran Kelly discuss Tingle's Quarterly Essay, which tackles Australian society's climate of antagonis...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Ian Lowe: Bigger or Better? Australia's Population Debate

Professor Ian Lowe of the Australian Conservation Foundation examines the complex, controversial issues surrounding t...

Masha Gessen and Sheng Keyi

Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen and contemporary Chinese novelist Sheng Keyi join Jenny Niven for a discussi...

Richard Ford

Richard Ford joins Sean Condon for a warm and witty discussion about writing and his latest book, Canada.

Walter Lippmann Memorial Lecture: Lindsay Tanner

Lindsay Tanner argues for the economic benefits of diversity through immigration in Australia.

Texts in the City: A Christmas Carol

Ruby J Murray and Dr Grace Moore examine Charles Dickens' classic text, A Christmas Carol.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Jenny Gray on Fighting Extinctions

Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, speaks passionately about the role of zoos in fighting extinction, in preserving sp...

The Fifth Estate: Chief of Army

In this Fifth Estate session, Sally Warhaft is joined by Australia's Chief of Army, Lt Gen David Morrison, and vetera...

Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle reads from new collection Bullfighting, discussing his work and writin' Irish with journalist Blanche Clark.

Bob Katter: An Incredible Race of People

One of the country’s most controversial politicians, Bob Katter Jr joins ABC politics stalwart Barrie Cassidy to disc...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Natasha Yacoub on Sex as a Weapon of War

Natasha Yacoub explores whether moves to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict go far enough - and what ...

Chad Harbach

Brooklyn author Chad Harbach discusses debut novel The Art of Fielding's mirrors to his own life, with Jenny Niven.

Texts in the City: The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif

This week, Ruby J Murray discusses The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif with the book's co-authors Najaf Mazari and Robert ...

Stella Rimington

Michael Cathcart speaks to MI5 director general turned spy novellist Stella Rimington about the truth behind the fict...

Christopher Paolini

Fantasy author Christopher Paolini talks about growing up hating reading, creating his own languages and digging a re...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Judge John Smallwood on An Old Take on Justice: County Koori Court

Judge John Smallwood discusses the County Koori Court: its mechanisms, successes and the role of community elders.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Jim Davidson on Australia and the Monarchy

Jim Davidson examines Australia's history with the monarchy, and asks: when will we face up to the inevitable and mov...

The Fifth Estate: Boom Time Budget

Shareholder activist Stephen Mayne, journalist George Megalogenis and host Sally Warhaft unpack Australia's 2012-13 f...

Australian Literature 101: Ray Lawler: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Alison Croggon explores Ray Lawler's Summer of the Seventeenth Doll for Australian Literature 101, with Ramona Koval.

Children's Book Festival 2012: In Conversation with Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester

2012-2013 Australian Children's Laureates, Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester, speak with Paula Kelly for the Childr...

Quarterly Essay - Us and Them: Anna Krien

With host Siobhan O'Sullivan, Anna Krien discusses her recent Quarterly Essay, 'Us and Them' - an incisive survey of ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Anita Sethi on the Human Experience in the Digital Age: Conversation, Relationships and Social Connection

British writer Anita Sethi considers E M Forster's encouragement to 'only connect', and what it might mean today.

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