Public lectures

We're proud to host a range of nationally and internationally-acclaimed speakers alongside our own academics for a lively calendar of annual events.

Women in Leadership

A panel discussion around the challenges and accomplishments of women in leadership roles. Past speakers include American diplomat Frankie Reed, State Library director Justine Hyde and City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Margaret O'Rourke. All proceeds from this event go towards our Women in Leadership Bursary, which supports female students in their own leadership aspirations.

Worner Lecture

This free annual lecture invites the community onto campus to hear about some of the latest research projects and findings of our local academics.

The event honours the Worner brothers, Howard, Neil and Hill, who were students at the Bendigo School of Mines, a forerunner of La Trobe University, Bendigo. All three went on to forge successful careers as engineers and academics.

Watch or download a video of the 2019 lecture from Professor Mike Kingsley, titled Exercise, the perfect medicament: what is the prescription and how can we administer it?

Sir John Quick Lecture

This popular public lecture celebrates the memory of Sir John Quick, Australia's 'Father of Federation', who was also Bendigo's first Member of Parliament.

The lecture attracts big names to Bendigo, including the likes of author/illustrator Shaun Tan, Professor Rajmahan, human rights activist and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and Australian historian David Hunt.

Violet Vines Marshman Oration

Starting in 2018, this is now a highly-anticipated event among regional health professions and honours the late western Victorian nurse, Violet Vines Marshman, and her contribution to the health and wellbeing of people in rural and regional Australia.

2019, Professor Patrick McGorry presented Victoria’s Mental Break Down, Recovery and Design. 

2020 Magda Szubanski AO discussed the negative impact social media platforms can have on mental health, affecting positive social change and her work with Phoenix Australia to develop world best practice PTSD coping strategies for disaster-affected communities.

• For more information: Violet Vines Marshman Rural Health Initiative

G.S Watson Lecture

For over 21 years this lecture has fed the maths minds of the region, presenting nationally and internationally-renowned mathematicians for an annual discourse to challenge and entertain. Think the likes of YouTube personality, The Mathologer, aka Professor Burkard Polster.

The lecture series in named after the late Geoffrey Watson, who grew up in Bendigo before his talent for mathematics took him to Princetown University.