Nerd Nite 8 - Wagga Wagga

It's already here, the final main stage show of our 2016 season. We have three fabulous speakers from Sydney to Melbourne (Sydney, Wagga, and Melbourne to be precise) to titillate your brain mush. Fun, games, three interesting talks, and of course, beer. 

Be there and be square.

*18+ event, no minors

Arty farty: Clearing the air on art and culture
Tracie Miller

Have you been to a gallery/theatre/roundabout/abstract dance performance and wondered, "why! Why would someone make this? What does it mean? Why would I pay for this? What were the artists thinking??" The art debate has never been more alive in Wagga. Art encourages us to explore, to dream, to think and linger a little longer. It encourages communication – people taking time to discuss works and write letters to the editor to share their ponderings, and occasional outrage. We'll take a trip through the arts, discussing the artists behind the work and why the arts today remain a reflection of our society.

BIO: Tracie has been working in the arts and culture sector for 10 years and is currently Wagga Wagga’s Cultural Officer. In this role she's responsible for creating and implementing Wagga's public art plan and cultural programming. Tracie has a BA (Art History and Criticism) from Western Sydney University and is passionate about all aspects of art and culture – however is not afraid to admit that she will travel internationally to see certain sports as well art.

Species we love & hate
John Martin

Has a seagull ever stolen a chip from your hand? Have you ever thrown bread to the ducks? We all have a wildlife story. Some are love stories, like giving a koala a drink on 40 degree day; others are hate stories, like being kicked by a horse. We humans have changed our surrounding environment (building cities, clearing land for farms, etc.) and some species have adapted to exploit these environments. We'll discuss how ibis are becoming hipsters, how cockatoos are spying on you, why flying-foxes are making a ‘concrete change’ and moving from the bush to the city, and what it means for the future.

Bio: John is a wildlife ecologist. Ultimately he thinks nature is pretty cool and the opportunity to catch and observe animals is freaking awesome. Being able to assist the conservation of wildlife is also cool. John works at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. 

The Downunder on Movies Downunder
Deb Verhoeven

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it still make a sound? What happens if we apply this old philosophical chestnut to the film industry? Australian movies are supported by government funds so we can "tell our own stories". But what is the story when Australian movies are released and nobody goes to see them? Do we really have a film industry in this country? And what are its prospects in an era of diminishing public support?

BIO: Deb Verhoeven is, in the best Australian tradition, a stirrer. When she's not causing trouble she can be found behind a desk working at being Professor of Media and Communication at Deakin University.