Upcoming Events
Don’t miss this chance to hear award-winning biographer Judith Brett in conversation with broadcaster Sally Warhaft, as they explore the life of a woman who lived boldly.
Beatrice Faust was a fearless feminist, activist, writer, and intellectual. She founded the Women’s Electoral Lobby, campaigned for abortion law reform, and shaped Australia’s feminist landscape from the 1960s through to the neoliberal 1990s. But behind her bold public persona lay a complex, troubled inner life — marked by chronic illness, addiction, and a deeply unhappy childhood. In Fearless Beatrice Faust (Text Publishing, 2025) award-winning biographer Judith Brett explores Faust’s fight to change both herself and the world around her.
This event is proudly presented by the Victorian Women's Trust, as part of Trust Women: Feminist Book Club, a free literary series. All welcome.
The launch of Fearless Beatrice Faust has been made possible thanks to the generous support of private donors.
Please note:
- Sparkling wine and non-alcoholic beverages available on arrival. Drinks will be available for purchase from the bar throughout the event.
- Copies of Fearless Beatrice Faust can be purchased at the launch for a discounted price.
- Event includes a short audience Q&A.
- Author Judith Brett will be available to sign books at the end of the event.
Free, but bookings are essential.
Join us to hear Raeden Richardson in conversation about his debut, The Degenerates.
Following the interwoven lives of four characters across India, Australia and the United States, the novel takes root in Melbourne and brings its streets, shopping centres (CHADSTONE!) and laneways to life with astounding originality-the city may never be the same again.
Free, but bookings are essential.
Come along to Brighton Library to share an afternoon tea and hear about Judith Brett's latest book Fearless Beatrice Faust, as part of the Australian Heritage Festival. This year's theme is Unearthed – revealing the past, bringing to light lesser-known histories and stories, and unearthing knowledge to empower younger generations as custodians of culture and tradition.
Are the voices of ordinary people fully present in Australian media, politics and halls of power? Political historian Judith Brett, advocate and author Thomas Mayo and former independent MP Cathy McGowan explore civic responsibility, political engagement and public identity in the wake of the federal election. With host Sally Warhaft.
Award-winning biographer Judith Brett will be in conversation with Virginia Haussegger on her new book Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism and Body Politics
Judith Brett AM is a political historian and biographer and emeritus professor of politics at La Trobe University. Her books include Robert Menzies’ Forgotten People: Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class, The Enigmatic Mr Deakin, which won the 2018 National Biography Award, and was shortlisted in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, NSW Premier’s History Awards and Queensland Literary Awards and From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage, which was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award.
Virginia Haussegger AM is an award winning journalist, broadcaster & former ABC News anchor in Canberra. Virginia is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and Deputy Chair of the media think-tank PIJI, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative. In 2019, Virginia was named ACT Australian of The Year, in recognition of her community leadership and women’s rights advocacy. Virginia’s book, Genderquake: is our feminist future written in the past?, will be published in October.
The vote of thanks will be given by Frank Bongiorno AM, Professor of History ANU and President of the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Books are available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.
The Library That Made Me - LIVE
An illustrious line-up of writers and creatives reflect on the formative library—or libraries—that shaped them as readers and writers. From tiny mobile school libraries to the Mitchell Reading Room or a childhood without a local library, hear about how these hubs of writing, reading and creativity sparked something magical in some of the world’s finest thinkers.
Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2016 and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction in 2018. Room for a Stranger, her highly acclaimed first novel, was published in 2019. Her latest work, The Burrow, was published in 2024.
Join writer, translator and broadcaster Robert Dessaix as he explores his most recent memoir, aptly titled Chameleon for the way the stories shimmer and shift. Ponder the light and dark of life with Robert, in conversation with Caroline Baum.
Iconic Australian writer Helen Garner turns her curiosity to ‘the greatest game’, Aussie rules football, in honour of her grandson. Her first full length book in a decade, The Season combines her customary warmth and talent for measured detail to produce a loving and humorous portrayal of an Australian tradition.
Listen in as Helen reflects on football and the cycles of life in conversation with David Leser.
Stella Prize–winning historian Clare Wright’s democracy trilogy comes to a close with Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions.
Hear Clare tell the whole story in conversation with Barrie Cassidy.
Join us for the launch of Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism, & Body Politics, a compelling new biography that celebrates the life of one of Australia’s most transformative feminists activists.
Award-winning political historian and biographer Judith Brett AM will be in conversation with renowned historian Michelle Arrow to discuss the remarkable life of Beatrice Faust - founder of the Women's Electoral Lobby, fearless advocate for abortion law reform, and influential voice in Australian feminism from the 1960s through the 1990s.
Complimentary cocktail/mocktail on arrival.
Snack bar available from 5:30 pm with drinks and light foods for purchase.
