Escape the chilly weather at the National Library this July. Meet authors in person by coming to one of our many book launches, covering everything from children’s books to non-fiction interests. Keep the kids occupied these school holidays with one of our creative drawing and writing workshops. And be sure not to miss the 2025 instalment of our annual Kenneth Myer Lecture, presented by former Chief Health Officer for Victoria, Professor Brett Sutton AO.

Program

Book launch: Peculiar Parents with Stephanie Owen Reeder and Ingrid Bartkowiak

Saturday 5 July | 10:30am to 11:30am | Free

Meet children’s author Stephanie Owen Reeder and illustrator Ingrid Bartkowiak as they uncover the perfectly peculiar world of Australian animal families with their new book Peculiar Parents. There will also be a special meet and greet with animals from the Canberra Reptile Zoo!

A Good Kind of Trouble with Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward

Tuesday 8 July | 6:00pm to 7:00pm | Free

Celebrate with Brooke Blurton and Dr Melanie Saward as they yarn about their new young adult novel, A Good Kind of Trouble, and what it means to write Indigenous-led stories for today’s young people.

School holiday activity: Creative writing and drawing workshops with Ronojoy Ghosh

Wednesday 9 July 10:00am to 11:00am and Wednesday 9 July 11:00am to 12:00pm | $15 

Come and join children’s picture book creator Ronojoy Ghosh for a writing and drawing workshop. Ronojoy will teach the joy of drawing and writing by co-creating a story and characters together, and supporting participants to explore their own fantastic ideas and personal artistic style. This activity is suitable for children 6 to 10 years of age.

Book launch: Clever Men by Professor Martin Thomas

Thursday 10 July | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Free

What really happened when Charles Mountford led a quarrelsome team of Australian and American scientists to explore traditional Aboriginal life in Arnhem Land in 1948? Hear Professors Martin Thomas and Jon Altman discuss Professor Thomas’ new book, Clever Men.

2025 Kenneth Myer Lecture: Professor Brett Sutton AO

Tuesday 29 July | 6:00pm to 8:00pm | Free

The 2025 Kenneth Myer Lecture will be presented by Professor Brett Sutton AO. Professor Sutton will explore the existential threats facing the word and provide thoughts on how, in tackling them, we can support and revive Australia’s wellbeing as public and global good.

Book launch: Anzac Guerrillas by Edmund Goldrick

Wednesday 30 July | 5:30pm to 6:30pm | Free

Join author Edmund Goldrick for a book signing event marking the release of his new title, Anzac Guerrillas. Anzac Guerrillas is the incredible true story of how a handful of escaped Australian soldiers became resistance fighters, double agents and spies in Yugoslavia during World War II.

Book launch: Fleeced with Trish FitzSimons and Madelyn Shaw

Thursday 31 July | 6:00pm to 7:00pm | Free

Authors Trish FitzSimons and Madelyn Shaw are in conversation with Annabelle Quince. Their new book Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War explores how, throughout history, heightened demand for wool in wartime existed in a vortex of negotiation, intrigue and anxiety.

To arrange an interview with a spokesperson about any event, please contact 0401 226 697 or media@nla.gov.au.

Contact

Lauren Conron, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

Phone: 0401 226 697  

Email: media@nla.gov.au