Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Saturday 08 February
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
If you had to choose, would you prefer non-fiction or fiction? Happy endings or sad ones? Are you a summer person or a winter person? Do you believe in individuality or community? Gratification or anticipation? Would you rather outlive your partner or be outlived? Which is worse: war or famine? Drowning at sea or indefinite detention?
These seemingly stark questions tell us things about who we are, what we value, and who we want to be.
2014’s Wheeler Centre Gala is a twisted referendum on 20 divisive questions. On Saturday 8 February, we’re taking to the streets of Melbourne with four city polling booths to find out what you think about ideas big and small, the fundamental and the trivial – or you can vote online.
At the end of the day, we’ll be throwing an old-fashioned election party to analyse the results and what they tell us about ourselves. Joining us all in the tally room will be experienced commentators George Negus, Sophie Black, Bernard Salt and Ray Martin. Be ready to laugh, think and debate in a big night of entertainment, ideas and food for thought.
Most elections measure which political party citizens dislike the least. In this unique poll, we’re measuring the issues – complex and seemingly insignificant – that divide us. Find out what we’re prepared to live with … and what we’re prepared to compromise along the way.
Let’s raise our glasses together to welcome 2014, in the best election party ever … one where you’ll go home happy, whatever the results.
20 Questions is closed for voting. See the results and more at http://twentyquestions.tumblr.com/.
Follow us on through the evening on #20Questions to keep track of what’s happening in the tally room, from 7-9pm. We’ll be blogging live from the event, so stay tuned for more on how to keep an eye on the action in absentia.
Election blog
Keep track of what’s happening during the tally, as we log rolling updates on Saturday.
Featuring
Ray Martin
Ray Martin is a journalist and television presenter who has reported for and/or presented some of TV’s highest-profile current affairs and variety shows of recent decades.
Ray Martin’s lifetime in journalism began as an ABC cadet in Sydney in 1965. After working in Perth and Canberra, he was posted to New York for a decade as the ABC’s North American correspondent. In 1978 he switched to Channel 9 to launch 60 Minutes with George Negus and Ian Leslie, the award-winning program he still reports for today.
In between he hosted Midday for a decade, A Current Affair for almost as long and countless network specials, federal elections and Carols by Candlelight - winning five Gold Logies, more than 20 Silver Logies and an unmatched number of People’s Choice Awards. He was awarded an Order of Australia in 2011 for his journalism, his work with indigenous Australians and his long involvement with charities. His best-selling autobiography, Ray: Stories of My Life, was published in 2009.
Sophie Black
Sophie Black is a writer, journalist and Crikey’s editor-in-chief. She has worked in senior management across cultural and media organisations, and has written for outlets such as The Guardian and The Monthly. As the Wheeler ...
Bernard Salt
Bernard Salt is one of Australia’s leading social commentators. He heads The Demographics Group which provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business. Prior to that Bernard founded KPMG Demographics. He is perhaps best known for identifying and tagging new tribes and social behaviours such as the ‘Seachange Shift’, the ‘Man Drought’, and the ‘Goats Cheese Curtain’. He was also responsible for popularising smashed avocados globally.
George Negus
George Negus has written, directed and presented Australian commercial and public television current affairs since 1975 – with a special passion for international affairs and Australia’s place in the world.
He worked independently via Negus Media International for more than 20 years, as well as roles as presenter/interviewer and reporter for ABC’s Foreign Correspondent, Australia Talks and George Negus Tonight; Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes and Today Show; Channel Seven’s coverage of both Gulf Wars; SBS TV’s flagship international affairs program Dateline, and Ten Network’s 2011 news analysis program at 6/6.30pm. He continues in 2012 as occasional international/national affairs commentator on Australian TV and radio.
Books include the most recent bestsellers The World From Italy and The World from Islam and The World From Down Under, produced with Negus Media and publisher Harper Collins.