Ku-ring-gai (Chatswood)

Wednesday 25 February 2026
IGNITING THE RAINBOW: The Dramatic Developments in Colour in Textiles in the 19th Century 
Presented by Susan Kay-Williams
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

This vibrant lecture reveals the pace of change, beginning with the last great developments in natural colours at the end of the 18th century. We visit the chief dye scientist of the Gobelins factory in Paris, Michel Chevreul, and explore the impact of the great international exhibitions where new developments were proudly displayed. The discovery of coal tar colours resulted in hundreds of new colours and shades by the end of the 19th century.

Dr Susan Kay-Williams is the former Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework (2007 – 2024), based at Hampton Court Palace. Susan is A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Chartered Institute of Marketing and in 2015 was made a Fellow of the Society of Dyers and Colourists in recognition of her work on the history of dyes. She has a longstanding interest in textiles, especially colour, and published her first book, The Story of Colour in Textiles (Bloomsbury) in 2013. She has extensive lecturing experience and has been invited to lecture in the USA, Canada, China, Japan and Taiwan as well as for the V&A and across the UK. In 2022 she authored An Unbroken Thread: the 150-year history of the Royal School of Needlework. During 2024/2025 Susan was President of the Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Wednesday 1 April 2026
ON THE WILD SIDE: Filming Creatures Great and Small
Presented by Pieter de Vries
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

In this lecture, Piet will share his techniques for capturing extraordinary images for Sir David Attenborough and National Geographic. From playful macaque monkeys in China to majestic cassowaries in Northern Australia, Piet will illustrate his presentation with segments from my nature documentaries.

Piet de Vries ACS is a renowned documentary cinematographer whose incredible journey has taken him from the heights of the Space Shuttle to the depths of the North Atlantic. He has captured extraordinary moments around the world. Regarded as one of the leading documentary cinematographers, Pieter’s films have garnered numerous accolades, including Emmys and BAFTAs. His work spans more than 180 countries and territories, filming for prestigious organizations like NASA and collaborating with acclaimed director James Cameron on the exploration of the Titanic wreck. Pieter’s contributions to beloved nature documentaries presented by David Attenborough have captivated audiences worldwide. He is an Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) accredited Director of Photography and a Sony Global Imaging Ambassador and an Apple Creative Partner. Prepare for a truly immersive cinematic experience.

Wednesday 6 May 2026
THE ARTS AND CRAFTS OF KASHMIR
Presented by Zara Flemming
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

For many people, Kashmir conjures up a beautiful valley surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, for others it is a land of conflict. This lecture introduces the astonishing diversity of arts and crafts produced in this tiny area, influenced by Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic cultures. Despite its troubled history, Kashmir has fostered a unique environment of artistic diversity and religious co-existence.

Zara Flemming is a freelance lecturer, art consultant and exhibition curator specialising in the art and culture of Tibet, the Himalayan areas and Mongolia. Initially based at the V&A, Zara has also worked with the Central Asian Department of Bonn University, the Orient Foundation, the Royal Academy, Tibet House, the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside and Asia House. In addition to lecturing for The Arts Society, she lectures for museums, universities, Asian art societies, and private associations and has been guest lecturer and tour guide on numerous trips to the Himalayas. Zara co-edited Mongolian Buddhist Art: Masterpieces from the Museums of Mongolia Volume I (2011) and has published many articles in the field of Buddhist art and culture.

Wednesday 3 June 2026
A JEWEL IN THE CROWN: India’s beautiful, historic and ever-changing jewels
Presented by Adrian Dickens 
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

From the infamous Koh-i-Noor Diamond to the ‘Tutti Frutti’ style created by the house of Cartier, this lecture reveals some of the world’s most magnificent jewels, featuring historical Indian gems. Originally owned by maharajas and maharanis, these treasures were recreated to adorn European royalty, aristocrats and socialites.

Adrian Dickens was born and grew up in the UK, where he trained for six years before emigrating to Australia in 1988. Since then Adrian has become a fixture on the Australian jewellery scene, managing leading jewellery stores in Sydney and Melbourne. He also conducts talks on jewels at various organisations and art museums. In late 2012 Adrian created CIRCA AD Jewels with the purpose of providing a genuinely unique personal jewellery service – one in which the jeweller visits his clients or they visit him in his small and private home in the heart of Toorak Village. CIRCA AD Jewels specialises in collecting selected items of fine jewellery, and rare pieces from around the world, which reflect the design values – and quality – of their era. Contemporary items and innovative jewellery designs are also included. “Re-inventing” jewels from unwearable pieces from the 19th and 20th century into wearable 21st century designs is a specialisation.

Wednesday 1 July 2026
THE VENICE BIENNALE: A many-headed beast that emerged from the (supposed) civilising, enlightened spirit of the Napoleonic Revolution.
Presented by Charlie Hall
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

A many-headed beast that emerged from the (supposed) civilising, enlightened spirit of the Napoleonic Revolution, Charlie will discuss the inception and concept of the Biennale in 1895 when cultural tourism events were springing up around Europe. Attracting a crowd of 224,000 visitors, and only pausing during the two world wars, the Venice Biennale has become a hugely significant art show, and has inspired hundreds of other biennales. Over 40 countries send representatives to their national ‘pavilions’. Charlie will also examine its influence in the Contemporary Art world over the last 130 years.

Charlie Hall is a passionate arts educator, lecturer, and guide, based in London and Italy. He is Director of the highly regarded John Hall Venice Course, (est. 1965,) Charlie has been Tour lecturer and leader for Kirker Holidays since 2013, and of independent tours in Italy. He is designer and host of a series of art talks and events for the Soho House group of private members’ clubs and has also designed and led courses for Christie’s Education and the Serpentine Galleries ‘Collector’s Circle’.

Wednesday 5 August 2026
THE HOUSEKEEPER’S TALE: The Women Who Really Ran the English Country House
Presented by Tessa Boase
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

Working as a housekeeper was a prestigious job in the 19th and early 20th century, but also one of the toughest. A far cry from Downton Abbey fiction, the real-life housekeeper was up against capricious mistresses, low pay, no job security and gruelling physical labour. Tessa tells poignant and dramatic stories about some of Britain’s most prominent households which are all, today, open to the public.

Tessa Boase is a freelance journalist, author, lecturer, and campaigner with an interest in uncovering the stories of invisible women from the 19th and early 20th-centuries – revealing how they drove industry, propped up society and influenced politics. She is the author of three books of social history: The Housekeeper’s Tale: The Women Who Really Ran the English Country House (2014); ETTA LEMON: The Woman Who Saved the Birds (first published as Mrs Pankhurst’s Purple Feather in 2018), and London’s Lost Department Stores: A Vanished World of Dazzle and Dreams (2022). Since uncovering the feminist origins of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Tessa has been campaigning for public recognition of its female founders with plaques, portraits, and a statue.

Wednesday 2 September 2026
THE ART OF LAUGHTER
Presented by Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

Comical paintings were abundant in the Dutch Golden Age genre paintings depicting people and animals misbehaving, being silly, naughty and laughing out loud. Some of these paintings represented common sayings, while others were created as moral lessons. However, they also coincided with a belief by contemporary doctors of the 17th century that laughing was good for your health.

Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff read Social Psychology at the University of Amsterdam and was tempted to do a PhD in Decision Making Behaviour. In the end she turned to her true love – the Arts. Whilst having her three children, she completed her BA and MA in Art History, majoring in The Dutch Baroque Arts from the 17th century at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. She started as a College Lecturer, but soon after started her own company, Art Historical London, offering art historical lectures, museum visits, courses, tours, travel and events from Amsterdam, London and New York, and since 2020 online. A fully accredited PTLLS lecturer, she also teaches on the public program of the Dulwich Picture Gallery, for the New York Adventure Club in the States, and can provide live, online and recorded lectures for groups or individuals.

Wednesday 7 October 2026
THE ART OF STATE CEREMONIAL MUSIC
Presented by Graham Jones
Venue & Time: Zenith Theatre, 10.30 am or 6.00 pm start

The UK produces some of the biggest Ceremonial Events in the world and arguably the best in the world but why is that? How do the military prepare for major events such as the State Opening of Parliament, State Visits, National Day of Remembrance, Royal Weddings or even a State Funeral?

Dr Graham Jones started his professional life as a musician in the British Army and after a glittering career spanning nearly forty years he retired as the Senior Director of Music, Household Division and Director of Music, Coldstream Guards a position unequalled throughout military music in Great Britain. During his illustrious career he has recorded over 40 albums and been responsible for the largest commissioning programme of wind band music in recent history commissioning over 30 new works for wind band. He pioneered a music education programme with the University of Salford for military musicians resulting in a new Master of Music in performance degree. In 1993, Graham was made a Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for outstanding service to military music. Having retired from military service Graham is enjoying a second career as a guest conductor, adjudicator, guest speaker, lecturer, clinician, recording consultant and educator