Welcome to the Kerferd Oration

Challenge your thinking, join discussion, engage in active citizenship in your community.

The George Briscoe Kerferd Oration was first held in 2003 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the naming of Beechworth. The annual Oration is a free community event sponsored by Indigo Shire Council, La Trobe University, WAW Credit Union and Quercus Beechworth.

Cathy McGowan AO, will deliver the 2020 George Briscoe Kerferd Oration “the Australia we want”
on Sunday 26 July, 11.00am via livestream.

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2020 / Cathy McGowan AO

Former independent Member for Indi, academic and rural consultant, Cathy McGowan AO, will deliver the 2020 George Briscoe Kerferd Oration in July via livestream on this website. Oration Chair, Karenne Thistleton, said she was delighted that Ms McGowan had agreed to deliver the Oration. “In 2006, Cathy delivered a very successful Oration which showed that…

2019 / Ailsa Piper

“Still, Life…” Discovering solace in the beauty of every day This year’s Kerferd Oration will be delivered by writer, director, performer – and dedicated walker – Ailsa Piper. Ailsa has navigated solitary trails in Australia, Spain and France, sometimes walking alone for weeks at a time. When she’s not on the roads, Ailsa is writing…

2018 / Senator Malarndirri McCarthy

Brave and Bold 2018 Kerferd Oration This year’s Kerferd Oration is to be delivered by Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is a Yanyuwa woman from the Gulf country in the Northern Territory. She first entered the public sphere as a journalist with the ABC and more recently for SBS/NITV. With a focus…

2017 / Barry Irvin AM 2017

Giant steps in the right direction This year’s Kerferd Oration is to be delivered by Barry Irvin AM, the Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese. Barry Irvin has extensive experience in the dairy industry and has been Chairman of Bega Cheese since 2000. Under his leadership Bega Cheese has grown from a small regionally based dairy…

2016 / Hugh Mackay AO

What does it mean to truly belong? RENOWNED author and leading chronicler of Australia life Hugh Mackay will deliver the annual Kerferd Oration in Beechworth this year. Hugh Mackay AO is a social researcher and the author of 16 books, including the 2013 bestseller, The Good Life, sub-titled What makes a life worth living? His latest…

2015 / Dr Simon Longstaff AO

Kerferd Orator questions indifference and invisibility 7 May 2015 IF you saw something being done that was wrong, would you speak up or just mind your own business? Would you tell a friend the truth, even if you knew it would hurt them? How do you arrive at your decision? These questions are all about…

2014 / Jenny Coles

Kerferd Oration’s Timor-Leste focus 4 June 2014 JENNY Coles, Australian Liaison Representative for Education for the Australian-born wife of Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão, will deliver the 2014 Kerferd Oration in Beechworth on 27 July. Ms Coles, who is also an activist and humanitarian, will speak of her experiences in Timor-Leste as she…

2013 / Bernie Geary OAM

Children’s Commissioner to deliver Oration 16 May 2013 PRINCIPAL Commissioner for Children and Young People, Mr Bernie Geary OAM, will deliver this year’s Kerferd Oration at Beechworth in July 2013. Mr Geary’s oration will link with a research project in Beechworth investigating how young people make a life for themselves after school and their need…