Redmond Barry Lecture 2022: can the power of sport readdress societal issues?

The Redmond Barry Lecture returns this year headlined by acclaimed Melbourne-based journalist, documentary maker and author Angela Pippos on Tuesday 22 February.  

Titled ‘The Power of Sport’, the lecture will explore the Australian sporting viewpoint; our role in ensuring sport is more equitable for women and girls; and how sport can be a catalyst for positive social and cultural change.  

The lecture will delve into the idea of sport as a platform to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage respectful and equal relationships. 

Angela will deliver a thought-provoking speech about our ‘national obsession’ and whether we can make sport work harder for all. 

“Even if you don’t like sport, it somehow manages to seep into the consciousness,” Angela states. “If you’re not convinced that sport has the power to change society, just think for a moment about the importance of sport in people’s lives.”

For the first time, the Redmond Barry Lecture will address violence against women. Angela will argue by creating inclusive, equitable, healthy, and safe environments for men and women, boys and girls, sport can make a real difference to underlying drivers of violence.

The Redmond Barry Lecture was established in 2002 to honour the work of Sir Redmond Barry, founder of State Library Victoria and a key figure in the development of Australia’s cultural and intellectual life. The lecture was created to provide a forum for the community to engage with big issues and ideas. 

President of the Library Board of Victoria, Christine Christian AO says she is delighted that Ms. Pippos is delivering this year’s oration. 

“Melbourne has a rich sporting history, and it’s wonderful to host a bold lecture that questions our sporting culture and its role in shifting conversations. We know the Library’s audience is hungry for sport-related information and content – the digitised Football Record was our most popular digital collection in 2021, especially among Melbourne supporters! We are very much looking forward to the Redmond Barry Lecture and hearing Angela’s perspective on the transformative nature of sport within our community and society as a whole,” Ms. Christian says. 

What: The ‘Redmond Barry Lecture 2022: The Power of Sport’ delivered by Angela Pippos 

When: Tuesday 22 February 2022, 6.30 - 7.30pm  

Where: Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria and online via livestream 

Cost: Free event but bookings to attend in-person or via livestream are essential – book via the State Library Victoria website

For more information go to slv.vic.gov.au

-ENDS-

About Angela Pippos  
Angela Pippos is an acclaimed journalist, radio host, documentary-maker and author. Her most recent documentary, The Record, follows Australia’s dramatic Women’s T20 World Cup campaign and the audacious bid to fill the MCG for the final on International Women’s Day 2020. Angela is a regular contributor to ABC Radio and a co-host on Broad Radio. Now on its third reprint, her book ‘Breaking the Mould’ – taking a hammer to sexism in sport’, provides a fascinating insight into the changing Australian sporting landscape and the role we can all play in making it fairer for girls and women.  

About the Redmond Barry Lecture 
The annual Redmond Barry Lecture was established to honour the work of Sir Redmond Barry, founder of the State Library. Barry played a significant role in establishing and directing the Melbourne Public Library (now State Library Victoria) and served as President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1856 until his death in 1880. He was instrumental in building the tradition of the Library as 'the people's university'.  Previous Redmond Barry Lectures have been delivered by Robyn Archer, Morry Schwartz, Louise Adler, Malcolm Fraser, Glyn Davis, Prof. Frederick Mendelsohn AO, The Hon Alex Chernov AO, QC, Sonya Hartnett, Ramona Koval and David McAllister AM.