March 27th - Gary Adler

Gary took a gap year when he finished school in 1972. The gap year lasted 48 years until he sold The Chocolate Box as a successful going concern, retiring in 2020. He survived working with his parents, and later his sister. Gary ate a lot of chocolate, often after a staff member would preface the tasting with “is it meant to taste like this?”

Gary opened or renovated over 50 shops and warehouses, visiting chocolate factories all over Australia and around the world, including one where they would not let him in!

A Czech Jew escapes Europe in 1939, and via Lebanon, arrives in England. A German Jew also escapes Europe in 1939, and via Cuba, arrives in England. They meet, dance and after marrying decide to go to New Zealand after the war. A bomb during the blitz changes their plans, and they arrive in Melbourne in 1948. They plan to open a camera shop but isn’t this a presentation about The Chocolate Box.

 May 1st - Dr Margaret O'Connor AM

Subject: ‘Staring at the sun’ - addressing end-of-life issues

Margaret’s distinguished career in palliative care began as a clinical nurse caring for people in their own homes and includes establishing and managing services, as well as education and research roles. She was honoured with an Order of Australia in 2005; and received a Churchill Fellowship in 2018 to study aspects of palliative care and voluntary assisted dying in many countries. Margaret was inaugural Professor of Palliative Care Nursing at Monash University, where she remains as Emeritus Professor, contributing to teaching and, research. Her research addresses service delivery and workforce issues in many settings, including aged care.

Just like our aversion for looking at the sun, most of us are reluctant to think about what will happen to us in the final stages of life.

This session will address many of the questions that people are often loathe to ask. In a discussion style we’ll look at aspects like support structures, legal issues, family questions and include advance care planning, the role of palliative care, voluntary assisted dying and other relevant topics.

May 22nd - Matthew Etty-Leal      

Subject: Home of the Vine The History of Balwyn & Surrounds Part 1

Over the last decade Matthew has delivered 500 Australian History and travel talks to local community organisations in Boroondara and surrounding suburbs. Matthew is the President of the Balwyn Historical Society, and leads history walks of Balwyn to local community groups such as Balwyn Community Centre, U3A Deepdene and our Probus club. 

Up to 2016 Balwyn and surrounds were largely small farms. During the last century Balwyn has become a wealthy residential suburb with some lovely historical buildings, shops, churches, schools parks and fascinating individuals, such as John Butler Maling, Andrew Murray, Oliver Gilpin, Hugh Wirth, Gladys Dear, Robert Reid and his daughter Isabelle Bruce Reed. 

June 26th - Keith Purvis                                 

Subject: Compassionate Friends

Kevin is the ex-President of TCFV and has been part of the Guest Speaker program for several years and an experienced speaker.

Kevin is a retired Primary School teacher. Prior to that he worked in pastoral ministry for more than 20 years, in various Baptist Churches and Chaplaincy positions. In both these roles he gained wide experience in committees and boards of management. Kevin is the bereaved father of Stephen, who died by suicide in 2001.

Kevin will deliver a heartfelt presentation on behalf of TCFV, beginning with a few words about his own grief journey and how he came to find our community.  He will share a brief history of The Compassionate Friends Victoria and highlight the vital support we provide to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.

The presentation will also offer practical guidance on supporting someone who is grieving, address common myths and misunderstandings, and include an important discussion around the language of suicide. Through this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of grief and how to walk alongside those who are navigating profound loss.