Monthly meetings

Upcoming guest speakers 

Monday 4 May

ISTANBUL: THE CITY ON TWO CONTINENTS

A TALK BY CINDY DAVIES B.Ed. B.A.

Born in the UK, Cindy has lived, worked and travelled in Turkey and speaks some Turkish. She emigrated to Australia with her family in 1975 and is a graduate of Sydney University. She’s been a teacher, freelance writer and tour guide in Sydney and Turkey. Cindy also visited Iran while writing her first two novels, set in Iran, the USA and Australia. She’s won several awards for her books and short stories. Her third book The Favourite of the Harem is set in the Topkapı Palace harem of sixteenth-century Istanbul. She’s working on a fourth novel. 

Cindy's talk traces the history of this city that began as a Greek settlement in 700 BCE to the present day. Its name has changed several times. Each civilisation that occupied the city has left its mark with amphitheatres, churches and mosques. After Turkey became a republic Istanbul once the capital, was replaced by Ankara, but Istanbul still retains its vibrant nature. 

Monday 1 June

Alan Lawrenson

Alan is the author of a book titled Australia's Looming Energy Crisis which has had radio and TV exposure. His talk, titled Australia’s Energy Transition, is non-political, informative and relevant to present times. 

Past events