Autumn Program
Coming up at Bega Valley Shire libraries: March - May 2025.
There is lots on this Autumn at your local libraries including The Sydney Writers’ Festival livestream, International Women’s Day celebrations, Seniors Week and heaps of fun school holiday activities.
Drop by your local library to pick up a handy program brochure.
Scroll down to find out more about all our events this Autumn.
Author Events
Sydney Writers Festival, Live and Local
Bega Valley Shire Library presents a livestream of the Sydney Writers Festival sessions. Sydney Writers’ Festival is the largest celebration of literature and ideas in Australia and is among the top five of its kind in the world. It brings together the world’s best storytellers with an engaged and enthusiastic audience for a thoughtful, challenging, and riotous celebration of the written word. Download Brochure.
THURSDAY 22 MAY 2025 @ BERMAGUI LIBRARY
MARKUS ZUSAK: THREE WILD DOGS AND THE TRUTH 10.00 - 11.00AM
Twenty years after his international sensation The Book Thief, Markus Zusak turns to non-fiction. Listen as Markus extols on love and human-animal connection in his memoir about his three big pound dogs.In conversation with Richard Glover.
GINA CHICK: WE ARE THE STARS 12.00PM –1.00PM
Hear Alone Australia winner Gina Chick regale you with stories of her extraordinary life, from her unconventional childhood to deep links with nature as an adult. With Rosemarie Milsom.
DAVID NICHOLLS: YOU ARE HERE 2.00PM–3.00PM
Travel the winding road of love through first encounters and second chances with bestselling novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls, in conversation with Jennifer Byrne on his latest love story.
PAST AND FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION 4.00PM –5.00 PM
Respected Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and historian Clare Wright reflect on the history of First Nations movements for change in Australia and look at next steps. With Lorena Allam.
FRIDAY 23 MAY 2025 @ BERMAGUI & TURA MARRANG LIBRARIES
THE MORIARTY SISTERS 10.00AM–11.00AM
Join the Moriarty sisters, Jaclyn, Liane and Nicola, as they discuss their career beginnings, different publishing paths and many successes with writer and broadcaster Sarah Macdonald.
HELEN GARNER: THE SEASON 12.00PM –1.00PM
Hear iconic Australian writer Helen Garner’s reflections on football and the cycles of life in The Season, her first full-length book in a decade. In conversation with David Leser.
ALAN HOLLINGHURST: OUR EVENINGS 2.00PM–3.00PM
Hear Alan Hollinghurst discuss his seventh novel, a rich and pleasurable account of a lifetime in modern England and the search for identity. In conversation with Georgina Godwin.
COLM TÓIBÍN: FROM BROOKLYN TO LONG ISLAND 4.00PM–5.00PM
Hear how Laureate of Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín returned to the Lacey family of international bestseller Brooklyn with the longawaited sequel, set 20 years after Rose’s death. With ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).
SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025 @ TURA MARRANG LIBRARY
BAKERS’ DELIGHT 10.00AM–11.00AM
With host Jennifer Wong, get special insight into the art and business of baking from the queens of Australian pastry, Flour and Stone's Nadine Ingram, Beatrix Bakes's Natalie Paull and Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid.
A.C. GRAYLING ON CANCEL CULTURE 12.00PM–1.00PM
Philosopher A.C. Grayling traces ‘cancel culture’ back to the ancient Greeks and tries to find a middle ground among the incendiary debates fanned by contemporary culture wars.
BEN MACINTYRE: THE SIEGE 2.00PM–3.00PM
Ben Macintyre discusses his definitive account of the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London which put the SAS on the world stage. With ABC Radio National’s Richard Fidler (Conversations).
IAN RANKIN: MASTER OF CRIME 4.00PM–5.00PM
Following the latest instalment of the Inspector Rebus series, Ian Rankin reflects on his career as an international bestselling author and the UK’s #1 crime writer. With Michael Williams.
Tura Marrang Library – Fri 23 and Sat 24 May
Bermagui Library – Thur 22 and Fri 23 24 May
Book for Sydney Writers Festival
Qin Qin Author talk
Our stories can both imprison and liberate us. Beliefs about who we are, or how we write, can shackle the creative spirit. But writing can be a way to resist the constraints of inherited narratives. Qin Qin, author of memoir Model Minority Gone Rogue, delves into this topic. Qin Qin grew up striving to be ‘good'. By 29, she was an ex-lawyer with four degrees working overseas for UNICEF… and miserable. After one too many crises, Qin Qin chose to question the script, a journey she explores in her memoir, Model Minority Gone Rogue (2024, Hachette). Qin Qin has recently been appointed Artistic Associate for the Canberra Writers Festival, and was previously named a 40 under 40: Most Influential Asian Australian. She is a regular interviewer, speaker and former teacher. Her life mission is to live consciously on her own terms and help others do the same.
Bermagui Library – Mon 12 May, 10.30am – 11.30am.
Qin Qin life Writing Workshop
Get to the heart of your personal story. Whether you’re starting out, mired in the messy middle, or struggling with fear in finishing, this workshop offers practical guidance on unlocking your authentic voice away from limiting beliefs about who you are or how you write. Led by Qin Qin—whose memoir journey helped her break boundaries, participants will explore techniques for delving into personal history, building sustainable creative routines, and finding more courage. Through theory, reflective exercises and readings, you will learn how life writing can serve as both a tool for documenting your past and a path to freedom.
Bermagui Library – Mon 13 May, 10.30am – 11.30am.
Adult Learning
Be Smartphone Savvy for Seniors
Get the most out of your smartphone. Discover accessibility features, safety tips and how to manage the important information saved on your phone, in other words your digital assets. Morning tea and handouts provided. Free events. Book Now
Bega Library - Thu 15 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Let’s Talk Weather!
Do you like learning about the weather? Discover how to navigate the Bureau of Meteorology website and the BOM weather app. Understand how a weather station works, how weather balloons are released and how to identify types of clouds.
Join Nigel Smedley, a former technical officer at the Bureau of Meteorology, to find out more about our fascinating weather. Book Now
Bega Library – Thu 8 May, 11.00am – 12.00pm. Free Event.
Introduction to Permaculture Workshop
Join us for an enlightening workshop led by Dr. Debbi Long, a dedicated permaculture practitioner, teacher, and anthropologist with over 30 years’ experience.
Uncover how the core permaculture tenets of earth care, people care, and fair share can revolutionise both your garden and your lifestyle. Get hands-on experience drafting your own permaculture garden design and explore innovative strategies for composting, reducing chemical use and creating community connections. $10 per ticket. Book Now
Eden Library – Wed 28 May, 10.00am – 12.00pm. Suits Adults.