Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers have been sharing stories on this continent for millennia. From best-selling and award-winning poetry, memoir and fiction to powerful works that defy categorisation, Blak writing depicts, challenges and honours culture, community and Country. Much-loved books by First Nations writers stand strong on shelves in homes, libraries, bookshops and classrooms – but there are always more books and writers to be discovered and rediscovered. 

In 2023, University of Queensland Press (UQP) introduced its First Nations Classics series to amplify Blak voices in the literary canon. This NAIDOC Week, we celebrated the second instalment of First Nations Classics with some of the remarkable authors and contributors involved in the series. 

Hear a special performance by proud Bundjalung and Lama Lama artist Tamala Shelton honouring the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’ and the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations cultures.   

The event was recorded on Thursday 11 July 2024.

It was presented in partnership with Blak & Bright. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is DRMNGNOW ‘Get Back To The Land’ edit (recorded live at The Wheeler Centre)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers have been sharing stories on this continent for millennia. From best-selling and award-winning poetry, memoir and fiction to powerful works that defy categorisation, Blak writing depicts, challenges and honours culture, community and Country. Much-loved books by First Nations writers stand strong on shelves in homes, libraries, bookshops and classrooms – but there are always more books and writers to be discovered and rediscovered. In 2023, University of Queensland Press (UQP) introduced its First Nations Classics series to amplify Blak voices in the literary canon. This NAIDOC Week, we celebrated the second instalment of First Nations Classics with some of the remarkable authors and contributors involved in the series. Hear a special performance by proud Bundjalung and Lama Lama artist Tamala Shelton honouring the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’ and the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations cultures.   
The event was recorded on Thursday 11 July 2024. It was presented in partnership with Blak &amp; Bright. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore. Featured music is DRMNGNOW ‘Get Back To The Land’ edit (recorded live at The Wheeler Centre)

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The Wheeler Centre

Blak, Loud and Proud: First Nations Classics 2024 [Tamala Shelton]

Ben Shewry knows obsession well. It’s what has propelled his innovative Melbourne restaurant, Attica, to national and global acclaim. His new memoir-meets-manifesto, Uses for Obsession: A (Chef’s) Memoir, is a reflection on leadership, hospitality and humanity, and an unforgettable look inside the sometimes-brutal world of cheffing. 

Shewry joins host Marieke Hardy for this special live episode of Hardy’s podcast, Marieke Hardy is Going to Die. They plan Shewry’s dream funeral and reflect on navigating life’s ebbs and flows: from creative freedom and culinary sustainability to the cult of the chef and cooking as muse. 

Hear from a restaurateur and a raconteur as they contemplate one of the only certainties in life – that we’re all going to die. Someday.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 15 October 2024 at The Wheeler Centre as part of Spring Fling. The official bookseller was Readings. Produced by Darren Scarce with music by Lord Fascinator.

Marieke Hardy Is Going To Die is a podcast made by Marieke Hardy (IG @marieke_hardy). You can follow at IG @GoingToDiePod



Whilst acknowledging the privilege that comes with having the space to discuss death and mortality, we want to also recognise that discussing these topics can raise some  wounds. Should you wish to seek extra support, please consider the following resources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/online-grief-support-groups

https://www.grief.org.au/ga/ga/Support/Support_Groups.aspx

https://www.headspace.com/meditation/grief

https://www.mindful.org/a-10-minute-guided-meditation-for-working-with-grief/

https://griefline.org.au/get-help/

 

Ben Shewry knows obsession well. It&rsquo;s what has propelled his innovative Melbourne restaurant, Attica, to national and global acclaim. His new memoir-meets-manifesto, Uses for Obsession: A (Chef&rsquo;s) Memoir, is a reflection on leadership, hospitality and humanity, and an unforgettable look inside the sometimes-brutal world of cheffing.&nbsp;
Shewry joins host Marieke Hardy for this special live episode of Hardy&rsquo;s podcast, Marieke Hardy is Going to Die. They plan Shewry&rsquo;s dream funeral and reflect on navigating life&rsquo;s ebbs and flows: from creative freedom and culinary sustainability to the cult of the chef and cooking as muse. Hear from a restaurateur and a raconteur as they contemplate one of the only certainties in life &ndash; that we&rsquo;re all going to die. Someday. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 15 October 2024 at The Wheeler Centre as part of Spring Fling. The official bookseller was Readings. Produced by Darren Scarce with music by Lord Fascinator.
Marieke Hardy Is Going To Die is a podcast made by Marieke Hardy (IG @marieke_hardy).&nbsp;You can follow at IG @GoingToDiePod 
Whilst acknowledging the privilege that comes with having the space to discuss death and mortality, we want to also recognise that discussing these topics can raise some&nbsp; wounds. Should you wish to seek extra support, please consider the following resources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/online-grief-support-groups
https://www.grief.org.au/ga/ga/Support/Support_Groups.aspx
https://www.headspace.com/meditation/grief
https://www.mindful.org/a-10-minute-guided-meditation-for-working-with-grief/
https://griefline.org.au/get-help/
&nbsp;

Ben Shewry is Going to Die

Content warning: This episode includes occasional course language.

From her childhood in the Australian outback to the heights of her chart-topping international success as a singer-songwriter, country music icon Kasey Chambers has trusted her gut, stuck to her values and learned some hard truths, always while trying to live by the best advice she’s ever received: just don’t be a d**khead. 

At this special event at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, Chambers discusses her new book Just Don’t Be A D**khead (and other profound things I’ve learnt). In this conversation, she shares heartfelt, honest tales, musical experiences and the behind-the-scenes insights she has learned along the way.

Kasey also treats the audience to a few live songs during the session. Hosted by Triple R broadcaster Denise Hylands.

The event was recorded on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre as part of The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling series. 

It was presented in partnership with Geelong Regional Libraries.  The official bookseller was Cook & Young.

Featured music:
“Backbone”,“Not Pretty Enough” and “Ain’t No Little Girl”
All tracks by performed by Kasey Chambers and Brandon Dodd, recorded live at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Opening track ‘Golden Hour’ by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist.

Content warning: This episode includes occasional course language.
From her childhood in the Australian outback to the heights of her chart-topping international success as a singer-songwriter, country music icon Kasey Chambers has trusted her gut, stuck to her values and learned some hard truths, always while trying to live by the best advice she’s ever received: just don’t be a d**khead. 
At this special event at Geelong Library &amp; Heritage Centre, Chambers discusses her new book Just Don’t Be A D**khead (and other profound things I’ve learnt). In this conversation, she shares heartfelt, honest tales, musical experiences and the behind-the-scenes insights she has learned along the way.
Kasey also treats the audience to a few live songs during the session. Hosted by Triple R broadcaster Denise Hylands.
The event was recorded on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at Geelong Library &amp; Heritage Centre as part of The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling series. It was presented in partnership with Geelong Regional Libraries.  The official bookseller was Cook &amp; Young. Featured music: “Backbone”, “Not Pretty Enough” and “Ain’t No Little Girl”  All tracks by performed by Kasey Chambers and Brandon Dodd, recorded live at Geelong Library &amp; Heritage Centre. Opening track ‘Golden Hour’ by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist.

Kasey Chambers in Conversation: Just Don't Be a D**khead [Geelong]

Unapologetic, sometimes controversial, and always unflinchingly honest, Roxane Gay has built a remarkable career using her powerful voice to articulate the nuances of our most pervasive issues. Body image, civil rights, feminism, popular culture, social etiquette – you name it, Gay has written about it.

The esteemed writer, professor and cultural commentator was joined by host Jan Fran at Melbourne Town Hall for one night only as they discussed her most strongly held views on the culture and politics of the past decade, celebrated in her latest book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.

In this conversation, Gay reflects on the fundamental importance of holding complicated views in our complicated times.  

This event was recorded on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at Melbourne Town Hall.

Roxane Gay was presented in Melbourne by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. She was presented in Sydney by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The official bookseller was Hill of Content.

Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Unapologetic, sometimes controversial, and always unflinchingly honest, Roxane Gay has built a remarkable career using her powerful voice to articulate the nuances of our most pervasive issues. Body image, civil rights, feminism, popular culture, social etiquette – you name it, Gay has written about it.
The esteemed writer, professor and cultural commentator was joined by host Jan Fran at Melbourne Town Hall for one night only as they discussed her most strongly held views on the culture and politics of the past decade, celebrated in her latest book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.
In this conversation, Gay reflects on the fundamental importance of holding complicated views in our complicated times.  
This event was recorded on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at Melbourne Town Hall.
Roxane Gay was presented in Melbourne by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. She was presented in Sydney by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The official bookseller was Hill of Content. Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Blak, Loud and Proud: First Nations Classics 2024 [Tamala Shelton]

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