A Desert Affair

Discover the thrall Australia’s desert holds for three modern day nomads: Journey with adventurer Robyn Davidson on her West Australian desert camel trek; Artist John Wolseley, creator of the Simpson Desert print series and artist/author Kim Mahood’s passion for the Tanami Desert in discussion with the ABC’s Peter Thomspon.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 5	10.00am	$35	The J

The Asian Inspiration

A new wave in Australian literature is explored by awarded writers Christopher Koch, Blanche d’Alpuget, Alice Pung and publisher Louise Adler. With Caroline Baum, discover Asia’s impact on Australian writing.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 5	12.00pm	$80	Relish, Noosa Springs
Duration: approximately 3 hours. Includes two course lunch.

Kate Fitzpatrick

Boganville: A time less glamorous. Passionate and witty, actor, writer and raconteur, Kate Fitzpatrick recounts a less-glamorous year in her mercurial life over lunch with Peter Thompson.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 5	12.00pm	$90	berardo’s restaurant & bar
Duration: approximately 3 hours. Includes three course lunch with a glass of wine on arrival.

A Wandering Life

Indelible in our memory for her remarkable Western Australian desert crossing with four camels and a dog, Robyn Davidson still lives a life in search of adventure. Griffith REVIEW’s Dr Julianne Schultz journeys with Robyn over lunch.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sun 6	12.00pm	$75	Rococo Noosa
Duration: approximately 3 hours. Includes two course lunch with a glass of wine on arrival.

Happiness

Everyone wants to be happy. But what is happiness? ABC’s Geraldine Doogue hosts an entertaining and insightful event, teasing out what makes us happy with special guests - psychiatrist, Gordon Parker; psychotherapist Stephanie Dowrick; actor Kate Fitzpatrick; cartoonist Warren Brown and journalist Kathleen Noonan.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sun 6	4.30pm	$35	The J
Duration: approximately 2 hours.

Insiders

America’s next President - what it means for us. Former Senator Stephen Loosley, journalists Paul Kelly, Dennis Atkins and Fairfax’s Bruce Wolpe join Barrie Cassidy - fresh from the Australia-US Leadership Dialogue in Washington DC - in a not for broadcast Insiders session, to dissect USA’s fiercely fought election.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Mon 7	10.00am	$35	The J
Duration: approximately 2 hours.

Australia’s Eroding Freedoms?

Are our sedition laws protecting society against terrorism, or restricting our freedoms? A lively and provocative event with four observers of social justice – barrister Julian Burnside, writer Leigh Sales, journalist Hedley Thomas and academic George Williams.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 12	9.30am	$35	The J
Duration: approximately 2 hours.

Sexy Numbers with John Croucher

Are Queenslanders different? With a unique ability to make numbers ‘sexy’, Australia’s top statistician Professor John Croucher puts a colourful spin to how “banana benders” stack up. Join the competitions! Win prizes! Do lunch!

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 12	12.00pm	$70	Alegria Restaurant & Bar
Duration: approximately 3 hours. Includes two course lunch.

Cities on the Edge

Is Traveston the Answer? Is the contentious Mary River dam the solution to South East Queensland’s water problem? What’s the big picture? Peter Thompson leads a lively discussion on competing theories with Griffith REVIEW editor Dr Julianne Schultz, journalist Peter Meredith, environment advocate Ian Lowe and urban planner Brendan Gleeson - who may have the answers.  Presented with Griffith REVIEW.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sat 12	3.00pm	$35	The J
Duration: approximately 2 hours.

People on the Move

Dealing with Climate Change: A forum presented by Green Cross Australia with a panel of cool heads on the hot topic of rising water levels for coastal populations.  Panel includes Mara Bun CEO Green Cross Australia, science writer Wilson da Silva, insurer Tony Coleman, QC Julian Burnside, Queensland Farmers’ Federation’s John Cherry and CSIRO director Andrew Ash.

DATE	TIME	PRICE	VENUE
Sun 13	9.30am	$35	The J
Duration: approximately 2 hours.