Annual Fundraising Luncheon
Since 1995, an Annual Luncheon has been held in September at the Strangers’ Dining Room, NSW Parliament House, Sydney with a prestigious woman guest speaker. This Luncheon is the major fundraiser for the Library. All are welcome at the Annual Luncheon and the Library is proud that students from public and private schools across the state attend.
Last year’s guest speaker was Kate McLymont. Other past speakers include Gill Hicks, Tanya Hosch who spoke about RECOGNISE; The Honourable Quentin Bryce, first female Governor-General; Helen Reddy, singer of the iconic feminist song ‘I am Woman’; Dr Meredith Burgmann, initiator of the Ernie Awards for sexist male comments and Professor Kerryn Phelps, former President of the Australian Medical Association.
Invitations to the Annual Luncheon are sent out during May and posted on the Library website and Facebook page. Booking is essential and the booking form is at the end of the information about this year’s Annual Luncheon. Please contact the Library for further information or any special requests. Join us for a stimulating and entertaining afternoon.

Annual Luncheon 16 September
Speaker: Deborah Cheetham AO
Title: Woven Song, the journey from knowing to understanding
Date and place: Monday 16 September, 11.45 am for 12.20 pm, NSW Parliament House
Deborah Cheetham AO, Yorta Yorta woman, opera singer, composer and educator has been a leader and pioneer in the Australian arts landscape for more than 25 years.
In 2009, Deborah established Short Black Opera as a national not-for-profit opera company devoted to the development of Indigenous singers. In 2010, she produced the premiere of her first opera, Pecan Summer. This landmark work was Australia’s first Indigenous opera and has been a vehicle for the development of a new generation of Indigenous opera singers.
Deborah’s commissions for major Australian ensembles include works for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australia String Quartet, West Australian Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, Rubiks Collective, Plexus Ensemble, Flinders Quartet and the Goldner Quartet.
Bookings close on 30 August and there are no refunds after this date.
Attached is the Annual Luncheon booking form 2019
Annual Luncheon archive
The Annual Luncheon archive shows the guest speakers and their topics from 1995 to 2016.