Writer, award-winning broadcaster, lawyer and research professor at Monash University and Adelaide University’s JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice, Steve Vizard, gave a very interesting and informative presentation recently at the ANU’s Kambri Centre. Speaking about his latest book, Nation, Memory, Myth. Gallipoli and the Australian Imaginary, Professor Vizard described how it shows the power of symbolism and myth in unifying a nation and its citizens. … Read more.
Category: Writing Page 2 of 5
Content about writing & features
For Canberrans (and others) making their way along the Hume Highway, Michael McGirr’s Bypass: The Story of a Road, is not only very informative, but also entertaining. Former teacher, and academic, essayist and former Jesuit priest, Michael has outlined his experience and that of his partner, Jenny, in cycling from Sydney to Melbourne some 20 years’ ago. … Read more.
A recent public gathering at Canberra’s Christians for an Ethical Society questioned where contemporary politics is heading, and prompted a range of views and enthusiastic responses and lively debate. Chaired by Australian politics and government expert, Emeritus Professor Dr John Warhurst AO, the forum centred on: Why has politics become so adversarial; Why can’t we communicate with each other; Why has politics gone off the rails. … Read more.
Opening at Canberra’s National Portrait Gallery on 30 November (until 2 March 2025), Carol Jerrems: Portraits, features the works of one of Australia’s most influential photographers, the late Carol Jerrems. Comprised of more than 140 photographs, it includes photographs of leading Australian cultural figures such as: the late Roberta (Bobbi) Sykes, author and poet, indigenous rights campaigner and human and women’s rights activist; former World No 1 tennis player, Evonne Goolagong; writer, columnist, leading feminist and editor and publisher, Anne Summers; fashion designer, Linda Jackson; musician and television and radio personality, Red Symons; the late Shirley Strachan, singer, songwriter, radio and television presenter. … Read more.
This week, former ABC journalist Alex Sloan, will be in conversation with author Helen Ennis about Ennis’s latest book, Max Dupain: A Portrait, at the National Library of Australia. A highly-renowned Australian modernist photographer, Dupain (1911-1992) was born in Sydney, initially becoming interested in photography as a 13-year-old, later completing various studies and tertiary degrees and opening his own Sydney studio in 1934. … Read more.
A recent highlight among National Library of Australia author talks was that of Christabel Blackman, focusing on her book, Charles & Barbara Blackman: A decade of art and love, about her late parents, Barbara, the highly-regarded artist, broadcaster, essayist, librettist, poet and patron of the arts, and highly-renowned artist, Charles Blackman. … Read more.
“…[S]ince 2019, we’ve been experiencing our share of setbacks and challenges…the sustained and devastating bushfire season of 2019-2020; the floods that engulfed entire towns; and the COVID-19 pandemic…punctuated by lockdowns, mask wearing, physical distancing, home-schooling, working remotely and all the other changes to our lives that increased the risk of social isolation”, says leading social psychologist and bestselling author, Hugh Mackay, in his latest book, The Way We Are: lessons from a lifetime of listening. … Read more.
The sun may be up and the skies blue, but “murder is in the air” at Coopers Chase Retirement Village where a coterie of residents lend their help to police in solving crimes, the main protagonists being former intelligence officer with MI5, Elizabeth; one-time nurse, Joyce; former union official, Ron, and occasionally still-practising psychiatrist, Ibrahim. … Read more.
Canberra’s National Press Club was abuzz recently with the announcement of the winner of the 2023 Australian Political Book of the Year. The judging panel of the ABC’s chief political correspondent, and author, Laura Tingle; Australian political journalist, and radio and television host, presenter and commentator for the ABC, Barrie Cassidy; and ANU Political Science Emeritus Professor, John Warhurst, considered that Niki Savva’s Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise met the required criteria for the award. … Read more.
In a talk entitled AUKUS – AN Expensive Folly? at Manning Clark House (11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest) on Sunday, 29 October at 3-5pm, the head of the International and Security Affairs program at the Australia Institute, Allan Behm, will discuss AUKUS. The discussion will centre on whether nuclear submarines and increased defence spending will deliver increased national security as well as considerations of Australia’s cultural and historical experiences that have shaped Australia’s security thinking. … Read more.