The Case for Engagement with Asia
On 29 September, 2017 in Sydney, Shadow Treasurer The Hon Chris Bowen MP delivered a major address to Asia Society Australia in which he made a comprehensive case for re-energising and upgrading Australia's engagement with Asia.
READ MOREThe joys and benefits of bilingualism
More than half the world’s population is now bilingual. Now thought to encourage flexibility of mind and empathy, bilingualism is also transforming societies.
READ MOREFrom Robe to Chinese Fortunes
An exhibition from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, Chinese Fortunes explores the motivation, spirit, hardships and legacies of the Chinese miners through a historical timeline of key events, storytelling, artefacts and objects.
The exhibition will shine a light on the little known aspects of the Chinese diaspora during the high colonial period, providing a fresh view of the Chinese as pioneers and trailblazers of the Australian goldfields.
READ MORENGV Triennial
Free and exclusive to Melbourne, the NGV Triennial will showcase major works by more than 100 artists and designers from 32 countries across all four levels of NGV International.
READ MORESakura Picnic Day at Banksia Park
This community event will showcase Japanese cultural performances, traditional tea ceremony, martial arts demonstrations, activities for children and facilitated nature play activities amongst a mature cherry tree grove donated to Victoria by the Government of Japan.
Date: Sunday 15 October
Time: 11:00am ~ 2:00pm
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation
Bring along your picnic and enjoy the day under the beautiful blossom.
READ MORELanguages don’t all have the same number of terms for colors – scientists ask why?
People with standard vision can see millions of distinct colors. But human language categorizes these into a small set of words. In an industrialized culture, most people get by with 11 color words: black, white, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, orange, pink, purple and gray. That’s what we have in American English.
READ MOREWhy students are turning away from learning foreign languages
Foreign language learning in Australia is in serious decline, as we are well into the second decade of the so-called Asian Century.
About 40 per cent of students studied a foreign language in the 1960s. That number is now closer to 10 per cent, including students who are native speakers of a language other than English.
READ MOREBEFA's 3rd Multicultural Kitchen
BEFA is hosting our third Multicultural Kitchen on Saturday, 2 Sept 2017. Join us for some delicious food from around the world and make some new friends. All are welcome. Please bring a plate or donate. There will be activities for the children. For more info, please contact Stella at info@befa.org.au
Saturday, 2 Sept 2017
12 - 2 pm
Birralee Primary School Hall
Heyington Ave, Doncaster
SBS National Languages Competition
What is the SBS National Languages Competition?
The SBS National Languages Competition 2017 is an exciting initiative to encourage and celebrate a love of learning languages in Australia. It’s a nationwide competition to engage school children and reflect on the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of Australia's multicultural society.
READ MOREMirror of the world: books and ideas
Discover stunning artwork alongside powerful words in this visual feast for book-lovers.
Recent acquisitions and new stories are featured each year in this special exhibition, revealing different aspects of the Library’s Rare Books collection, and showcasing rare and significant works that trace the history of book design from medieval manuscripts to comics.
From 7 October 2016, the exhibition features 281 new items on display, dating from 2050 BC to the present day.
READ MORE