Past events

2020 events

Creativity: A short and cheerful guide

30 November 2020

John Cleese discusses how everyone can find time to be creative.

The Social and Emotional Toll of a Pandemic

16 December 2020

With Professor Patrick McGorry and State Coroner John Cain

Masterclass: How to read a budget

18 November 2020

Watch our masterclass with Heidi Murphy, Grant McArthur and Richard Willingham

The High Road with Laura Tingle

04 December 2020

ABC 7.30 chief political correspondent discusses her new Quarterly Essay with Corrie Perkin-

Moving the Goal Posts

29 September 2020

View the full webinar here

Victoria's Energy Future

08 December 2020

Watch the recap of our webinar with Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

Jane Harper in conversation with Corrie Perkin

25 November 2020

A special book club webinar discussing the author's new book The Survivors

Responding to COVID-19

05 October 2020

View highlights from the discussion here

Leigh Sales Discusses Any Ordinary Day

01 September 2020

In conversation with Corrie Perkin

In Conversation with Sally Capp

16 September 2020

Capping off our 104th Lord Mayor’s first term

Back in the Game: Covering Footy During COVID-19

04 June 2020

Watch the webinar recorded on the eve of football's return

What are your rights if you are raided?

22 April 2020

Watch our webinar with ABC journalist John Lyons and senior media lawyer Peter Bartlett

2019 events

Low-carbon transition will ‘happen gradually, then suddenly’: Garnaut

13 November 2019

Ross Garnaut on his new book about our renewable future

Faine: ABC Needs More Mongrel, More Money

02 October 2019

Retiring ABC broadcaster in conversation with Mary Gearin

End Parental Leave Double Standard: Crabb

10 September 2019

Author Launches New Quarterly Essay at MPC Lunch

Banking Lobby Likely to Scuttle Hayne reforms, says Fels

04 September 2019

Fels launches new memoir at MPC media lunch

Sundays Bloody Sundays

23 August 2019

Celebrating the launch of three Sunday papers on one day in 1989

Sport Can 'Lead and Change our Nation': Nicole Livingstone

22 August 2019

Head of AFLW delivers 17th Bob Rose Lecture

Google and Facebook can and must be controlled: Sims

13 August 2019

ACCC chief urges government action to defend consumers and media diversity

Laws Must Protect not Punish Whistleblowers: Senator

25 June 2019

Rex Patrick calls for an end to the prosecution of former ATO staffer Richard Boyle

Bringing Hope to the Slums

20 June 2019

A lunch with Asha Society's Kiran Martin

The Challenge of Extremism

29 May 2019

Watch the discussion on challenging extremism and media responsibilities

The 2019 Budget Briefing

28 May 2019

Tim Pallas MP details his fifth state budget

The Price of the Writing Life

23 May 2019

Half the Perfect World authors talk about George Johnston and Charmian Clift's legacy with Martin Flanagan

Australian Cricket's New Pitch

28 March 2019

CA Chief Kevin Roberts on rebuilding public trust

Hayne Didn't Go Far Enough: MPC Panel

02 March 2019

Experts say tougher penalties and more sweeping reforms are essential.

Sally McManus: Fighting for the Fair Go

Listen to and watch the ACTU Secretary's speech launching her new book On Fairness

2018 events

Lawyers Lament Politicians Tough Talk on Crime

MPC Election Forum told mandatory sentencing won’t solve violent offending

Archbishop: Church must earn back trust

30 August 2018

Melbourne’s new Catholic leader meets the Press

The Great Thrall of China

25 July 2018

China’s ascendence and influence demands robust media attention, the expert panel agreed.

Standing up for the ABC

19 June 2018

ABC chief Michelle Guthrie calls on critics to stop using the broadcaster as "a punching bag"

Jobs After Journalism

06 June 2018

A global view of the fallout from newsroom redundancies

The Great Australian Airport Bite

25 May 2018

Lunch with Professor Graeme Samuel AC

The ABC of News in the Age of Fake

10 May 2018

Lunch with ABC News chief Gaven Morris

Pallas Budget Briefing

01 May 2018

A joint VECCI - Melbourne Press Club budget briefing with Tim Pallas

Melbourne’s Mayoral Candidates Meet the Press

26 April 2018

Forum details policy priorities in city by-election.

The Fight to Defend Quality Journalism

19 April 2018

Meet the new Press Council Chair Neville Stevens

Celebrating Ron Tandberg's life and career

05 March 2018

Speeches from the launch of 'A Year of Madness' book and exhibition

The Global Correspondent

02 March 2018

John Pilger in conversation with Michael Bachelard

2018 C.E.W. Bean Foundation Dinner

22 February 2018

Read Paul Kelly's speech "Chester Wilmot: war correspondent, historian, interpreter of worlds"

The Rabble Rousers

01 February 2018

Lunch with three of Australia's best news columnists

2017 events

Coasting to Gold in 2018

27 October 2017

Watch the video: Commonwealth Games chiefs and star athletes preview next year's event

Cybersecurity in our Age

11 October 2017

Lunch with Luke Dembosky

Lunch with Laurie Oakes

14 September 2017

Laurie Oakes' retirement address - on media, politics and the past.

Fake News Fightback

29 August 2017

Tonya Mosley and Aaron Glantz on the impacts of the Trump presidency on US media and society.

Donating the Gift of Life

02 August 2017

Transplant surgeon Bob Jones with three journalists who made the cut

The Future of News

25 July 2017

Michael Miller on the challenges and opportunities ahead

The Defamation Threat

17 May 2017

Facing a real challenge to free speech

The Budget Briefing

03 May 2017

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas discusses his third budget

The Edit: FOI Masterclass

01 May 2017

Herald Sun FOI Editor Fiona Hudson answers all your FOI-related questions

What Next for ABC News?

28 March 2017

ABC executive Gaven Morris talks about the future of digital news

Giving up a Lifetime of Crime: Ron Iddles with John Silvester

22 February 2017

Watch video of Ron Iddles' '25 years of homicide investigation in 25 minutes'

Women's AFL: A League of Their Own

01 March 2017

Lunch with Gillon McLachlan, Aasta O’Connor & Sam Lane

The Voters in Revolt: Lunch with Bob Katter

02 February 2017

Video of Bob's lunchtime talk now online

2016 events

Gender in Media: Lunch with Madeline Di Nonno

02 December 2016

Leading the campaign for gender balance in the entertainment industry.

Media Hall of Fame cartooning exhibition opens

07 December 2016

'The Premier and the Pen' launched with a powerful political message from John Cain.

'The Newsman': Lunch with Mal Walden

27 October 2016

Celebrating the launch of The Newsman: 60 Years of Television

14th Bob Rose Lecture with Brian Nankervis

08 September 2016

The 14th Annual Robert Rose Lecture was presented by writer, film and TV producer, and comedian Brian Nankervis.

The Edit discusses journalism and trauma

05 September 2016

An important discussion of the toll exposure to trauma can take on reporters and sources

Fighting for our Copyright

17 August 2016

Lunch with Copyright Agency chairman Kim Williams

Behind the Panama Papers

09 August 2016

Gerard Ryle and Nick McKenzie on one of the biggest scoops of the decade

Paul Farrell at The Edit

25 July 2016

Paul Farrell of the Guardian spoke to young journalists at our most recent Edit event.

Derryn Hinch takes on Canberra

05 August 2016

The new Victorian Senator discusses details of his parliamentary agenda

Phillip Schuler book launch

The launch of Mark Baker’s book Phillip Schuler: The Remarkable Life of One of Australia’s Greatest War Correspondents - with Les Carlyon, celebrated editor, writer and historian.

Lunch with Monash VC Professor Margaret Gardner

08 June 2016

Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AO joined us for a lunch address in June 2016.

Peter Doherty & Sharon Lewin on fighting global diseases

01 June 2016

Nobel Laureate Professor Doherty and Doherty Institute director Professor Lewin on the continuing threat of infectious diseases and the importance of science communication.

Anna Nemtsova & journalism in the post-Soviet states

09 May 2016

Russian journalist Anna Nemtsova on the challenges of working in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Budget briefing - Lunch with Treasurer Tim Pallas

Treasurer Tim Pallas joined a special event to explore key features of the budget.

Blowing the Whistle on Corporate Corruption

14 April 2016

A panel on the scandals exposed by the work of tenacious journalists and courageous whistleblowers.

Rewriting the Media Rules, lunch with Mitch Fifield

30 March 2016

Senator Fifield on reforms that would free the media from ‘the cast-iron shackles’ of outdated laws.

Comedy legend John Cleese joined 774 ABC presenter Jon Faine at an evening event to talk about the state of the media, those tabloids, Cleese's autobiography and his belief that the world is falling apart.

Back to the Herald - the Class of '66

Half a century ago, The Herald of Melbourne was one of the most successful afternoon newspapers in the English-speaking world.

Digital Invaders in our media patch

28 January 2016

Recent technological evolutions have allowed for a rush of ambitious new players, challenging the strongholds of established media.

2015 events

2015 Melbourne Press Freedom dinner photos

See a slideshow of photos from the night.

2015 Melbourne Press Freedom Dinner speeches

Videos of speeches from the inuaugural event

Keating and Beyond with Kerry O'Brien

Veteran political interviewer Kerry O'Brien takes an MPC audience through his blockbuster book of interviews with the ever intriguing and controversial Paul Keating.

Telling Digital Tales: Lunch with Jeremy Gilbert

10 November 2015

As Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jeremy Gilbert has created unique digital products and storytelling experiences for the legendary <em>Washington Post</em>.

Graham Perkin memorial dinner

The MPC marked the 40th anniversary of Graham Perkin's death with a special dinner featuring tributes from some of the big names in Australian journalism.

2015 Graham Perkin dinner photos

Photos from the 2015 Graham Perkin memorial dinner.

Women CEOs leading the way

While there’s a lot more work to be done to increase the representation of women in executive ranks, a group of dynamic women has quietly taken the Australian leadership of major multinational technology companies.

David Weisbrot, chair of the Australian Press Council

04 August 2015

Since taking over as chair of the Australian Press Council in March, Professor David Weisbrot has proved an  energetic and outspoken supporter of journalism at a time of great challenges to the industry.

State of Suppression: Justice served or hidden?

09 July 2015

The use of suppression orders by courts to stop publication of the sensitive details of legal proceedings has grown rapidly in recent years – especially in Victoria.

Fighting for Justice: Lunch with Peter Greste

24 June 2015

Journalist Peter Greste was freed from an Egyptian prison in February after being held for 14 months on discredited terror charges – but his fight for justice is far from over.

Labor's Plan for Victoria: Lunch with the Premier

17 June 2015

Premier Andrews joined us to talk about the 'shake-up' he says Victoria needs, focusing on the state's new jobs and investment panel, the government's 'China strategy' and its tourism and major events focus.

Beyond the Big "R" Life after Redundancy

La Trobe’s Associate Professor Lawrie Zion hosted a discussion with three distinguished colleagues who have taken redundancy and discovered life beyond our shrinking metropolitan newsrooms.

The Waiting Room – Lunch with Kylie & Alan Trounson

07 May 2015

Ahead of the MTC's premiere of The Waiting Room, playwright Kylie Trounson and her father, Prof Alan Trounson, joined us to talk about IVF.

Noel's Party Line: Lunch with Noel Tennison

A lunch with journalist, raconteur, PR maestro and former Press Club president Noel Tennison

2014 events

A Fair Australia – Worth Fighting For with Bill Shorten

20 February 2014

In his first visit to the Melbourne Press Club since being elected Labor Leader, Bill Shorten outlined his priorities for 2014.

2013 events

Futures of Investigative Journalism Public Lecture

17 December 2013

Investigative journalism is one of the few independent checks on the excesses of government, corrupt officials and corporate scoundrels. Such journalism is expensive to produce, takes a long time and risks expensive legal proceedings.

The new News chief - safe hands or a visionary?

04 December 2013

Julian Clarke is said to have been entrusted with the CEO role at News Corp Australia because he provides stability in tough times.

Gerard Ryle in conversation with Bill Birnbauer

26 November 2013

In April 2013, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published the first of a series of astonishing reports revealing the secret financial records of tens of thousands of people in more than 170 countries linked to offshore companies and trusts. What became one of the biggest multi-country investigations in history started in 2011 when then-Fairfax Media investigative journalist Gerard Ryle received a mysterious package in the post: a hard drive containing 2.5 million digital files.

Ashes to Bashes – Too much cricket or never enough?

13 November 2013

ANOTHER Ashes series is just weeks away. A much anticipated KFC T20 Big Bash season is also upon us, and this time it’s free on our TVs.

Spring Racing book launch: They Hit the Line

17 October 2013

Celebrate the romance of racing and some of the greatest horses to have graced the track at The Melbourne Press Club’s Spring Racing Carnival luncheon.

John Bertrand - America's Cup 30 years on and lessons for leadership

18 September 2013

It was hailed as the greatest team performance in two centuries of Australian sport. On 26 September 1983, John Bertrand and his crew aboard Australia II won the 7th and final race of the America’s Cup series off Newport, Rhode Island, and ended 132 unbroken years of American domination of the event.

Media Puzzle: is politics more than a two-horse race?

22 August 2013

Does the media report politics accurately and fairly? Has political coverage of election campaigns become more about spin and headlines than detail?

Faine & Smith - Talkback titans go head to head

01 August 2013

In their very first public appearance together on stage, the ABC's Jon Faine and 3AW's Justin Smith talk about the art of broadcasting, how they hold politicians to account and how they're adapting to the digital age.

The New Rivers of Gold - How the dot coms cornered the classifieds

21 July 2013

Three Melbourne based businesses – Carsales, Seek and REA Group – redirected them to create what are now the dominant online brands in this market.

Lunch with Colleen Ryan

Former Australian Financial Review editor Colleen Ryan's latest book Fairfax: The Rise and Fall is billed as a devastating expose of Fairfax Media's rollercoaster ride from the folly of Young Warwick to the challenge of Gina Rinehart.

Russel Howcroft media lunch

05 June 2013

Through his appearances on ABC1’s hugely successful show The Gruen Transfer Russel Howcroft has become the very public face of brand marketing and advertising in Australia.

Premier Denis Napthine's MPC address

17 May 2013

Since taking over as Premier in early March, Dr Denis Napthine has moved quickly to reposition the state government and recast the political contest in Victoria.

Antony Catalano media lunch

08 May 2013

On April 29 2010, Antony Catalano's Metro Media Publishing launched the first edition of The Weekly Review.

Book launch: Galbally's Lore

18 April 2013

David Galbally QC has many more strings to his bow than a life with the law and its rich tapestry of anecdotes. His family has also been involved with the Collingwood Football Club for 70 years, and Galbally spent time on the committee. He knows where the bodies are.

TV News Directors Panel

06 March 2013

They said it was dying - TV News would be eaten up by new media and viewer apathy and disappear from our screens.

Victorian Media Hall of Fame dinner 2012

06 December 2012

The first 20 inductees to the Victorian Media Hall of Fame were announced at a special invite-only dinner on Thursday 6 December at the Monash Law Chambers in Melbourne.

Corporate Lunch with Kim Williams

28 November 2012

Kim Williams discussed the profound changes sweeping through the media landscape, and the implications of these changes for quality journalism, media companies and policy making in Canberra.

2012 events

Media Lunch with Derryn Hinch

21 November 2012

Derryn Hinch has been sacked 15 times, but he is always welcome at a Melbourne Press Club gig.

Corporate Lunch with Monash VC Professor Ed Byrne

Can our universities continue to compete with the best of Europe and America and the massive resources pouring into research and education in Asia?

Corporate Lunch with Daniel Andrews

16 October 2012

After two years in office, the Baillieu Government was facing an electoral backlash as budget pressures drive deeper cuts in state services and programs. An audit commission report urged a further withdrawal of government from the delivery of health, education and aged care. Labor believed in an alternative approach.

Corporate Lunch with Tony Ellwood

22 August 2012

A lunch with the National Gallery of Victoria director Tony Ellwood.

Investigative Reporters Panel

08 August 2012

What is the future for investigative journalism in an era of shrinking newsrooms, budget cuts and digital deadlines?

Corporate Lunch with ACTU President Ged Kearney

26 July 2012

After five years in power - two of them in a hung parliament - the federal Labor government was trailing badly in the polls and speculation mounted about the future of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. A crucial element in the fortunes of Labor was the party's relationship with the trade union movement - particularly the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

One Month To Go Olympics Lunch

22 June 2012

As the world's attention turned to the London Olympic Games, the Melbourne Press Club held a 'One Month To Go' Olympics Lunch.

Adele Ferguson Media Lunch

21 June 2012

Senior business writer and columnist for The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald and author of a new book on Gina Rinehart.

Margaret Simons Media Lunch

31 May 2012

Journalist, author, blogger and academic Margaret Simons is one of Australia’s most prolific and most commented on journalism communicators. Strongly independent, she is fearless and articulate when discussing the shortcomings of Australia’s media or the future of journalism.

Lunch with Harold Mitchell

27 April 2012

Harold Mitchell is one of Australia's most important media buyers and knows better than most whether the media’s new online ventures will attract the advertising support they need to support quality journalism.

Birthday Special Event: The Future of the Media

14 February 2012

In February 1972, Melbourne’s three newspaper editors held a panel discussion to discuss the future of the Press.

Lunch with Chairman of the ACCC, Rod Sims

10 October 2011

Rod Sims discussed aspects of the ACCC’s approach to enforcing Australia’s competition and consumer laws and the importance of appropriately regulating monopoly infrastructure.

2011 events

Football Finals Feast

22 September 2011

This 2011 annual Melbourne Press Club AFL Finals Feast was held at Etihad Stadium's Crest Room on September 22. It featured AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, coach extraordinaire Kevin Sheedy and popular spearhead-turned-commentator Matthew Richardson.

Robert Rosenthal on Saving Investigative Journalism

20 September 2011

Renowned US editor and Centre for Investigative Reporting executive director Robert Rosenthal delivered a free public lecture at Monash University on Tuesday 20 September, 2011.

Lunch with Greg Hywood

08 September 2011

Mr Hywood spoke about his start in journalism, how Fairfax is adapting to new challenges and the company's "technologically agnostic" nature. After his speech the floor was opened up to questions, which covered everything from the role of radio and the suspension of 2UE's Mike Smith to media enquiries and ways Fairfax could expand.

2020 events

2019 events

2018 events

2017 events

2016 events

2015 events

2014 events

2013 events

2012 events

2011 events

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