Talks

For lovers of culture, history and all things intriguing, BASScare regularly hosts guest speakers who share their passion and knowledge on a range of topics. Our talks are fantastic places to learn something new about the world around us, discover a new interest or rekindle an old one.

Visit the National Gallery of Victoria from a comfy armchair at Canterbury Centre with Dr Lee Emery, showing pieces from the Early Australian Art collection; hear about Old Melbourne Gaol and the mischief the prisoners enclosed behind the sandstone walls got up to; learn about the McCrae Homestead and Museum and the early pioneering life of Andrew and Georgiana McCrae.

We often learn about a place one week and then visit it the next!
Have an idea for a topic you’d like us to cover? Let us know and we’ll do our best to organise it!

Here are the special talks coming up:

Due to COVID-19 restrictions there are no scheduled talks at this time.

The benefits of lifelong learning

Education shouldn’t end after high school, or university, or when we retire. It’s is a lifelong journey, and something we benefit from for as long as we keep it up. Whether it’s learning to dance or taking up a new hobby, reading a book or attending one of our talks, discovering and exploring new avenues promotes a healthy and engaged lifestyle.

Here’s what you’ll gain from lifelong learning:

1. Increased social interaction
   Isolation can be a problem when we get older and lose some of our mobility and independence. Learning a new skill or attending a talk as part of a group is a fantastic way to meet people who hold similar interests and keep socially active.
2. A better frame of mind
   No matter what age we are, a lack of stimulation can leave us depressed and irritable. Learning a new skill or attending a talk can break the cycle of negativity and engage the mind in a positive manner. It also introduces us to a wider world and fuels our thirst for more knowledge and gives us drive.
3. A fit and resilient brain
   As the saying goes, use it or lose it. It’s just as important to exercise our brains as it is our bodies. Learning and engaging in cognitive activities, which we find enjoyable and engaging, can make us more resilient to age-related brain changes, with some studies suggesting it can reduce the risk of dementia.
4. Fulfilment of lifelong dreams
   The brain is as spongy in later life as it is early on. Always wanted to learn a language? Always harboured an interest in renaissance art, but never dived in? Post-retirement, we have more time on our hands and great opportunities to realise the ambitions of our youth. The BASScare talks are a great place to reignite old interests.
5. Self Confidence
   Increasing our knowledge or developing new skills is a powerful way of increasing our self-confidence. Devoting time to the pursuit of a personal interest and self-improvement can be incredibly empowering and lend us a sense of accomplishment.