The Wheeler Centre

After spending their early years together in conflict zones as foreign correspondents, Geraldine Brooks and partner Tony Horwitz relocated from Australia to the idyllic Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, USA, to raise their children.  The life they built there was one of meaningful work, good humour and tenderness. But all this ended abruptly when, during the spring of 2019, Brooks received a phone call with the news that Horwitz – just 60 years old and, to her knowledge, vigorous and healthy – had collapsed and died on a street in Washington, DC. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Brooks composed the spare and heartfelt Memorial Days – a portrait of a timeless love between souls that captures the joy, agony and mystery of life. Hear this Pulitzer Prize-winning author in conversation with Jason Steger in the first edition of our Books and Ideas at Montalto series for 2025. Content warning: This conversation contains themes of grief and loss.  This event was presented in partnership with Montalto.It was recorded on Friday 28 February 2025 at Montalto Winery. The official bookseller was Antipodes. Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Kushner’s new novel Creation Lake tells the story of Sadie Smith, an American spy-for-hire working in the secretive world of privately contracted surveillance. Tasked with infiltrating a commune of anarchists in rural France, she becomes entranced by a mysterious cult-leader-like figure named Bruno Lacombe who believes that freedom from the pain of the modern condition can only be achieved through a return to the ancient past.  Creation Lake is both a canny homage to French noir and an incisive critique of spy-novel clichés – more than that, it is stylish, witty and audaciously cerebral. Here, the two-time National Book Award finalist and Booker Prize-shortlisted author sits down to discuss this dazzling work of double-crossing, dark humour and dangerous games, with moderator Rebecca Harkins-Cross. This event was recorded on Tuesday March 4th 2025 at The Wheeler Centre. It was supported by RMIT Culture. The official bookseller was Hill of Content. Featured music is ‘Traveling Again’ by Sarah the Illstrumentalist.Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Roxane Gay, the esteemed writer and cultural commentator, as she dives deep into the complexities of public discourse and personal safety. She shares her candid reflections on navigating opinions amid online harassment and societal issues. From evolving perspectives on social injustices to the intricacies of celebrity gossip, Gay's insights challenge norms and advocate for representation. Humor infuses the conversation, making her powerful voice resonate even more as she emphasizes the importance of empathy and the human experience.

National treasure Noni Hazlehurst details her life on stage and screen and takes us behind-the-scenes of a brilliant career.  Noni Hazlehurst’s versatility as a performer knows no bounds. A household name and a beloved actor, she's graced Australian screens and theatre stages for over forty years. From Playschool and Better Homes and Gardens, to Monkey Grip and her acclaimed theatrical career – Hazlehurst has earned her place as an Australian icon.  At this Melbourne-exclusive event, Hazlehurst joins host Elizabeth McCarthy to discuss her long-awaited memoir, Dropping the Mask, which celebrates a life and career that are both ordinary and extraordinary – and all class.  This event was recorded on Thursday 10 October 2024 at The Capitol as part of The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling series. It was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture. The official bookseller was Readings. Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critics Eda Gunaydin, Michael Sun and Cher Tan examine the present state and potential futures of literary criticism. Literary criticism seems to be in an endless state of decline. In so-called Australia, a particular flavour of cultural cringe is yoked to cultural hegemony: a critic might find themselves locked within the ivory tower, or self-censoring for fear of offence, or deliberately pursuing contrarianism for clicks. How, then, do critics move beyond this deadlock? Who decides what is 'good' criticism? What, exactly, is the function of criticism at the present time? This panel discussion sees three critics examine the possibilities of literary criticism, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the critic. Together they pick apart these issues and attempt to propose a future for reviews that takes into account not only writers and editors, but readers and culture as a whole.  This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future. The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore. Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content warning: This recording includes occasional course language.Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders discuss the careful craft of shaping a language unsettled. Trace the contours of language, seek out its limits and push. Histories are cut up, struck through, misplaced, misremembered. Join Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders as they discuss the careful craft of ripping the empire’s language to shreds. In their work, these brilliant writers shift form in myriad ways; they render nonlinear temporalities and introduce new vocabularies; they wield opacities and yet share the dearest of intimacies. Thinking through poetry and prose, language and craft, these three writers share the shape of a language unsettled.This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future. The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore. Featured music is ‘A Seat at the Table’ by Auxjack.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the future of the great Australian novel? Novelists Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao contemplate the novel, the nation and its literature with Lynda Ng. Marking 30 years since Brian Castro considered the ‘new novel’, three of Australia’s most talented contemporary novelists discuss the future of the form. Is there such a thing as a ‘Great Australian Novel’, or have twentieth-century paradigms expired? What, exactly, does greatness have to do with fiction? How does the novel relate to the nation? Dr Lynda Ng, lecturer in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne, is joined by Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao as they consider the novel, the nation, and the boundaries that shape them.   This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future. The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore. Featured music is ‘Kick Back’ by james.lfo.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International bestselling author Rebecca F. Kuang discusses her groundbreaking novel Yellowface and the future of storytelling at this exclusive Melbourne event.   Investigating diversity, racism and cultural appropriation with the thrilling pace of a Twitter meltdown, Rebecca F. Kuang’s 2023 novel Yellowface captivated readers across literary and BookTok communities alike. In her only Melbourne event, Kuang discusses her successful career, plagiarism, privilege, and the state of the publishing industry with host Beverley Wang.  A New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, Kuang’s previous works include the Poppy War trilogy and the dark academia novel Babel: An Arcane History, both of which garnered rave reviews. Yellowface is her fifth novel.  Hear from a literary trailblazer about why she won’t write in the same genre twice and the overdue conversations she’s ignited in the publishing world. This event was recorded on 12 March 2024 at Melbourne City Conference Centre. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore. Featured music is ‘frosty’ by dozeoff.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.