Lisa Wilkinson:
The Titanic
Story of Evelyn
Thursday 30 April | 6.00pm
National Library of Australia
An epic and untold true story.
The Titanic Story of Evelyn reveals the extraordinary life of Evelyn Marsden, a brave Australian nurse and the only Australian-born survivor of the Titanic disaster. Through Evelyn’s eyes, this unforgettable story captures both the best and worst of humanity on one of the most tragic nights in modern history.
When the Titanic sank, Evelyn was not only a survivor - she was a hero. Amid the chaos and terror, she worked tirelessly to help others reach safety, placing herself at the heart of one of the world’s greatest maritime tragedies.
Exhaustively researched and beautifully written, Lisa Wilkinson’s first work of historical non-fiction brings new depth and humanity to the Titanic story, uncovering Evelyn’s remarkable and uniquely Australian journey.
In conversation with journalist Amy Remeikis, Lisa Wilkinson shares the powerful story of a courageous woman whose legacy deserves to be remembered.
Rosalie Ham:
Look After Your Feet
Friday 1 May | 6.00pm
National Library of Australia
Australia’s beloved author Rosalie Ham, best known for the international bestseller The Dressmaker, comes to Canberra with her signature wit and sharp observations in her latest book, Look After Your Feet.
In this darkly funny and refreshingly honest exploration of ageing, Ham reflects on the curious reality of getting older, when wisdom grows as body parts begin to fail, and life somehow starts making a little more sense.
Packed with practical advice (including why cheese and wine for dinner is perfectly acceptable), Look After Your Feet is an irreverent and insightful celebration of the unexpected advantages and unavoidable indignities of later life.
Join Rosalie Ham in conversation with The Canberra Times’ Sally Pryor for an entertaining evening of laughter, candour, and hard-earned wisdom.
'This book actually makes me look forward to getting old. I giggled all the way. Can Rosalie Ham be my friend?' Nikki Gemmell
'Painfully close to the bone but howlingly funny. If you need cheering up, read it today.' Mem Fox
The Dressmaker
High Tea
Saturday 2 May | 11.00am
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Step into an event of elegance, intrigue, and storytelling at Hyatt High Tea with Rosalie Ham
Join us at Hyatt Canberra for a luxurious High Tea experience featuring special guest Rosalie Ham, author of the internationally acclaimed novel The Dressmaker.
Indulge in tiers of delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with jam and cream, and exquisitely crafted pastries inspired by the glamour and drama of The Dressmaker. Sip premium teas (or a sparkling glass of bubbles) as Rosalie shares insights into her writing journey, the unforgettable town of Dungatar, and the story behind her beloved characters.
Whether you’re a devoted reader, a lover of fine tea, or simply in search of a refined escape, this is your invitation to dress up, settle in, and be swept away by fashion, fiction, and flair.
Rosalie Ham will be in conversation with CWF Artistic Director Andra Putnis.
Seats are limited - reserve your place for a High Tea stitched with style and storytelling.
Sarah Wilson:
I Eat The Stars
Friday 8 May | 6.30pm
The Street Theatre
From New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Sarah Wilson comes a powerful, hopeful exploration of how to live with meaning in a world that feels like it’s coming undone.
Catastrophic fires and floods. Record heat. Political instability. AI and nuclear anxiety. Rising inequality and unrest. It’s hard to shake the sense that something is deeply wrong, that the systems we depend on are wobbling, or even collapsing altogether. In I Eat the Stars, Sarah Wilson argues that what we’re experiencing isn’t unique, but part of a pattern every complex civilisation has faced: systemic collapse.
So how do we keep living, loving, choosing, creating, when the ground feels unstable beneath our feet? Should we have children? Plan for the future? Invest, prepare, or opt out? And how do we stay open-hearted without tipping into doom and despair?
In conversation with HerCanberra’s Emma MacDonald, Sarah Wilson invites us into a courageous, compassionate discussion about how to live fully, beautifully and wisely through uncertain times—and why joy, meaning and tenderness still matter now more than ever.
“A beautiful and uplifting book” – Liam Neeson
Night of the Bookers:
David Szalay & Susan Choi
Tuesday 12 May | 6.00pm
National Library of Australia
Following the global success of two extraordinary literary works, join us for a glittering night of words as we host internationally acclaimed authors Susan Choi and David Szalay.
Booker Prize 2025 winner David Szalay will discuss his latest novel Flesh – a hypnotic and propulsive work about a Hungarian man swept up to live alongside London’s super-rich. Flesh confronts profound questions about what drives a life, what makes it worth living, and what ultimately breaks it.
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2025, Susan Choi’s critically acclaimed novel Flashlight traces the sweeping story of one family caught in the currents of the twentieth century from Japan to the United States to the North Korean regime. This monumental new work from the National Book Award-winning author spans decades and continents in a spellbinding, deeply moving exploration of family, loss, memory, and the unseen forces that shape our lives.
Susan and David will appear in conversation with Canberra’s much-loved Nigel Featherstone, read from their work and discuss their writing lives. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear two of today’s most compelling literary voices in conversation and enjoy a celebration of Booker Prize excellence!
Flashlight – Ferociously smart and full of surprises, Eleanor Catton, author of
Flesh - 'Brilliance on every page' Samantha Harvey, author of Orbital