I'm at the launch of Madness Then & Now by Roby Raeburn and Claire Chang, the history of Australia's second Lunatic Asylum in Liverpool. Launched at Liverpool Library, published by Liverpool City Council. Fascinating to hear about the influences of Madness on the colony of Australia.

When "done" is better than "ready" We all lose out. Artists are treated like machines, and audiences left wondering if the whole point was to sit above the art judging it not in it, experiencing it. How many times does this happen in Oz Theatre? All.The. Time. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...

"Reading is having a moment,’ according to Tinder. But do its users actually appreciate books, or just talk about them to get dates?" Asks @theguardian.com

I think what confuses people so much is when someone is doing something not for money, but for the cultural good or the social/artistic good. Those that treat art like a transaction and not a relationship completely miss the point of art.

I think there has been such a cultural and social shift because of the harmful pokies of the past - as a nation we have become greedy and selfish hoarders. I don't think there is anything clever about creating mortgage stress and a housing crisis - for our fellow citizens.

Such a lovely night at the WonderPlay Studio May Writers' Residency Readings, sharing a couple of excerpts from my new full length play, Three Reasons Why. Thanks to Jane Phegan and Julian Colman for adding voice and breath to my work - total legends!

I am watching the Kylie Minogue Doco and I must admit that I feel strangely moved and in awe of her. And in an era of cynicism and sarcasm, there is something incredible about a person who is that particular shade of sunshine and vulnerability.

What a gift it is to spend time with this gentleman - his strength & kindness, good-natured humour & infuriating consistency. I soak in his kindness, his calm, his wit. If you can, friends, get yourself a @thebooksdesk.bsky.social to work alongside, to plot, plan & imagine with...It is liberating!

Dire Straits released their fifth studio album “Brothers in Arms” on this day in 1985. It would become the first album to sell over one million copies in CD format. Thoughts? Favourite tracks? #DireStraits

Tourism, diplomacy and the arts... themusic.com.au/industry/del...

I’m delighted to be leading the Lake Macquarie Play Project Workshops as part of this year’s Dobell Festival thanks to the incredible support of Lake Macquarie City Council Over 2 half days we will be generating new material inspired by place & community. Register: www.lakemac.com.au/Events-direc...

Great men of Industry - @thebooksdesk.bsky.social and the mighty Wayne Marshall post celebratory launch of Henry Goes Bush published by @picadorbooks.bsky.social

Last Saturday I was honoured to receive recognition for my support and dedication to the writing community of the Romanian and Australian Anthology of Contemporary Poetry and Prose, led by Mihaela Cristescu at The State Library of New South Wales.

Looking forward to spending some time in a gorgeous artist-led space where the needs of artists are prioritised and creativity is nurtured. #writerinresidence

I'm so pleased to be selected as an inaugural Writer in Residence at WonderPlay Studio on William Street, Darlinghurst. #writerinresidence

Archibald prize 2026 finalists: Virginia Trioli, Jan Fran, Ahmed al-Ahmed and more – in pictures www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

"As the sun sets, the moon rises and the birds call the stars out of hiding I'm breathing in insect songs Breathing out stringy barks Turning right at no left turns And keeping on at keeping on" Thanks to @thebooksdesk.bsky.social for taking me on our evening constitutional!

Shout out: @thebooksdesk.bsky.social was an excellent official theatre "+1" last week: 🤍 New Aussie play "The Roaches & The Boot" @ FlightPathTheatre 🤍An Urdu/English Aussie play "KaMeeNi" by Abida Malik 🤍 The River @sydneyoperahouse.bsky.social 🤍 My Brilliant Career @sydneytheatreco.bsky.social

Street art in the lane alongside Cairo Takeaway, Newtown, Sydney

I'm celebrating Australian plays (and Playwrights) on #worldtheatreday How many Australian playwrights can you name?

Please wish the lovely @thebooksdesk.bsky.social a very happy birthday! I like to say he's now only 12 years off turning 70! Happy birthday darling! And raise a pint of dark beer for me!

Power, patriarchy, victimhood, denial: three experts on why men hurt women www.theguardian.com/society/arti...

Ok... So this is a proud girlfriend moment - the magnificent @thebooksdesk.bsky.social waving the flag for Australian authors at the London Book Fair! (Super excited for #westernsydney debut author Linda Atkins!) (And proud to be Mr Shaw's Unofficial photographer!)

When the Ockhams prove your fella has excellent taste, you trust his appraisal of even "the good icecream" a little more.

Happy Lunar New Year dear ones... Don't forget to have fun on the way to your inevitable success! youtu.be/lGWv_WkdawU?...

Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Announced today: the "The Oz Publishing and Promotion Fund" to "support publishers who take creative risks in discovering, developing & promoting Oz writers" + "payments to authors of niche titles with limited commercial potential despite high cultural or lit value" creative.gov.au/investments-...

A reminder...

I've just let the writers know who is on the Parramatta Play Project... And I'll be announcing soon... But it's so exciting when the writers text or message to say "what a team!" Or "I can't believe I'm on this project with these writers"... It's exciting!

It was such an honour to be nominated for City of Parramatta's Citizen of the Year AND Parramatta's Lit! Festival was nominated for Community Group/Project of the Year! Such a delight to serve the writers, readers, publishers & storytellers of Parramatta. Thank you to my nominators for your support!

There are some things that can only be discussed over a 5 hour lunch.

Vale Marie Bashir, who once gave me love life advice at the Sydney Opera House at the interval of Eugene Onegin. We were eating finger sandwiches. It had a profound effect on me.

Vale Marie Bashir, who once gave me love life advice at the Sydney Opera House at the interval of Eugene Onegin. We were eating finger sandwiches. It had a proud effect on me.

Vale Dr Nick Herd: my beloved former-boss, film buff and friend. He was a lighthouse of a leader. Quiet, steadfast, sweeping his light over all. So wonderfully smart. And kind. It's been a week since Nick died, a week of reflection for me, on what a good life looks like.

Last year when I offered copies of my ex-boyfriend's books to people, one reader said "thank you but if you give that to me I'll just throw it in the bin." It stung. For some reason I had never considered that a book could be thrown into a bin.

Honoured to be nominated for City of Parramatta's Citizen of the Year, 2026 for my volunteer work across arts and culture in the city. Thank you to my nominator, and all the artists and organisations I've worked with or for in the City - it's been my pleasure!

If you want to know what your new year's resolution should be? Aim to be more like this man: Kind. Gentle. Patient. Sweet. Adventurous. With great taste and full integrity. He's well read and easy to cook for. @Thebooksdesk.bsky.social #happynewyear

The squirrel guardians of Leipzig keep me safe...

Here she is! Christmas cake for dear @thebooksdesk.bsky.social , made with ingredients sourced from 4 trips to markets seeking ingredients that don't exist in Germany. Containing 1.1Kg of fruit, utterly drowned in Brandy. It has taken a day of "soaking" & 3 hours to bake/rest. #christmascake

PLAYWRIGHT EOI OPPORTUNITY: The Parramatta Play Project is calling for EOI from writers to join a collaborative team of 8 writers to write a new full-length play inspired by Parramatta’s histories, culture + identity. EOI closes 5pm, 11 Jan 2025. Apply here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHM3Y5R

The loveliest little Tannenbaum in Leipzig, thanks to @thebooksdesk.bsky.social and his willingness to humour me. It makes me so happy to look at, not least of all because it's been a long time since I got to decorate a Christmas Tree with someone... And it's nice it's him. #christmasingermany

Poor @thebooksdesk.bsky.social - again it appears he's been coaxed into a festive tradition he wasn't expecting: wrestling fairylights onto a tree. He's such a good sport. (And he was rewarded with Gluhwein and applause.) #christmasingermany

Poor @thebooksdesk.bsky.social he just wants to be at home with some red wine...

Let's talk about cultural disconnect: Should we go to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and expect to see a work by Pina Bausch?

Thank you International Film and Entertainment Festival Australia (IFEFA) for awarding me the great honour of being recognised as the 2025 IFEFA Woman of the Year at NSW Parliament House today. Such an honour to be amongst those that champion our arts, film and cultural sectors!

A good day. A big day. A good day.

I'm proud to have been on the judging panel that selected Yumna Kassab as the inaugural Parramatta Laureate in Literature. And I'm pleased she is getting recognition for an epic work. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...

So grateful for the wonderful Kate Fagan, who was my partner-in- literature when I was the Cultural Strategist at City of Parramatta and creating the Laureate in Literature program. It was hugely challenging and incredibly rewarding to create this opportunity for a writer.