Outspoken’s program of author events for 2023 kicks off with an exceptional line-up of writers including Dr Chris Sarra in February and Alexander McCall Smith in March.
Dr Sarra is a Gurang Gurang/Taribelang man, a former Queenslander of the Year, and the author of Good Morning, Mr Sarra, a memoir that tells the story of how a young boy from Bundaberg grew up to become principal of the Cherbourg School.
It was there he began to develop the concept of stronger, smarter, an idea which radically changed teaching both in Queensland and around the country. At present Chris holds a senior position in the Queensland Government and is Chairman of the Stronger Smarter Institute.
Dr Sarra will be talking about his book and, in response to the Voice to Parliament referendum, will also talk about the three common pillars of effective reconciliation: Treaty, Truth-telling and the Voice.
Joanna Jenkins, who has written How To Kill a Client, will be the ‘introducing author’ for the February 1 evening with Chris. Joanna grew up on a small farm in country Queensland.
After graduating from the University of Queensland in the late eighties with degrees in English Literature and Law, Joanna practised as a solicitor in Big Law, including for many years as a partner of an international law firm.
How to Kill a Client is her first novel. It is a fast-paced and wickedly funny thriller about power and revenge, set in the pristine towers of capitalism. Alexander McCall Smith, often referred to as ‘Sandy’, is one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. As a professor of Medical Law he worked in universities in the UK and abroad before turning his hand to writing fiction. He has written over 100 books, including short stories and a number of immensely popular children’s books. He will be speaking at Outspoken on March 10.
Bookings at outspokenmaleny.com
Main image: Alexander McCall Smith
