Credit: Saeed Salimpour - Ballarat Observatory

138th Anniversary

Oddie Lecture IV –  2024 – Lorayne Branch will be our Guest Speaker and will talk about her Great Grandfather Henry Sutton.

Henry Sutton’s great-granddaughter, and biographer, Lorayne Branch. Photo: ABC

Henry was born in Ballarat and has been described as “Australia’s greatest inventor and, indeed, one of the greatest inventors the world has ever seen.” Professor Mark Dodgson FASSA, FRSA.

Lorayne has written a book – available in our Science Shop – HENRY SUTTON The Innovative Man

Special viewing through heritage telescopes if clear.

Wheelchair access to the Oddie Room and Baker Hall, Brittain House and also Restroom facilities, and the custom-built Federation – Adcock Telescope, the first public telescope for wheelchair access in Australia.

The Oddie Lecture recognises the legacy of James Oddie, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Observatory in 1886.

5.00pm Tour

6.00pm Dinner

7.00pm Lecture

8.00pm Viewing at the Telescopes

9.00pm Supper

 Bookings in Person

Register for lecture only on Zoom

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Previous Oddie Lectures

2023 OL III “Grote Reber, a pioneer of radio astronomy” Dr Martin George Reber combined his interests in amateur radio and amateur astronomy. Reber moved to Tasmania. He was instrumental in investigating and extending Karl Jansky’s pioneering work, and conducted the first sky survey in the radio frequencies.

2022 OL II “400 years of Telescopes” Barry Adcock, Telescope Maker, 400 Years of Telescopes. The Ballarat Observatory has been a part of that for 136 years! Barry designed and built our Federation -Adock Telescope which enables wheelchair access.

2021 OL I  Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter – School of Arts, Federation University Australia. Anne’s research interests are in Australian colonial history, History of Art, Historiography and Cultural History, and heritage studies. Her special research has revolved around the Eureka Stockade and its interpretation.

“The Ladies Picture Show”

Anne’s talked will explore the work of two women in Ballarat, Miss Effie Baker and Miss Margaret Oddie, who were pioneers of the art of photography in the 1890s, and particularly astronomical photography. Effie was the granddaughter of Captain Henry Baker, and Margaret was the adopted daughter of James Oddie, the founder of the Ballarat Observatory.

Heritage Week Lectures

Lecture – Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum 1886-2021 – 135th Anniversary Judith Bailey Observatory Manager – The legacy of Gold and the development of our Institutions resulting in a unique Regional Observatory.

Lecture – Discover the Amazing Universe – a journey of the changing technology which reveals our Universe 1886-2021 +. Judith Bailey Observatory Manager – Constantly changing technology has revealed stunning knowledge about our Universe. Come on a fascinating journey on the “eve” of even further new technology which is coming online this year and in the near future.