Talks

Sue Thompson who has been researching and writing about Dame Nellie Melba for more than 20 years, regularly gives talks to various social, community and service organisations.  The various talks Sue has developed include:

Dame Nellie Melba

• The Day Melba Arrived in Town 1909 – When Melba Mania hit Melbourne and Lilydale
• Dame Nellie Melba International Star and Proud Australian – how Nellie Mitchell became Dame Nellie Melba, Australia’s first international star
• Driving Dame Nellie – Melba’s love of cars some of which travelled the world with her.
• Melba’s Lasting Legacy – Melba’s on-going contribution to Australia and the world of music and the arts.
• Melba’s 1909 Back Blocks Tour – The trials, tribulations and adulation Melba and touring party faced during the 25 towns and 31 concerts given in New South Wales and Queensland between June 1 and September 3, 1909.
• East West Hame’s Best – Melba’s only home in Australia, Coombe Cottage was her country retreat where she entertained her family and friends.
• Melba at St Petersberg – when Melba paid her one and only visit to Russia in 1890/91.

David Mitchell

• The Industrious David Mitchell – better known as the father of Dame Nellie Melba, David Mitchell was one of Australia’s early industrialists and entrepreneurs.
• David Mitchell and his Cave Hill Empire – traces how David Mitchell turned Cave Hill farm into a fully integrated agricultural and industrial complex which exported goods back to the United Kingdom.

If you would like to book a talk, please contact Lorraine Smith of the Lilydale & District Historical Society on 9735 1104.

All proceeds and book sales from the talk go to support the Lilydale & District Historical Society and its activities.