Join Clare Wright and Thomas Mayo as they discuss Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1963—a year of agitation for civil rights worldwide—the Yolŋu of northeast Arnhem Land created the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: Naku Dharuk. ‘The land grew a tongue’ and the land-rights movement was born.

Naku Dharuk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples. 

And it is a masterful, groundbreaking history.

Clare Wright’s Democracy Trilogy began with The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and continued with You Daughters of Freedom. It concludes with this compulsively readable account of a momentous episode in our shared story.  

Clare Wright’s Democracy Trilogy is completed with the story of how the people of Yirrkala changed the course of Australian Democracy.

In 1963—a year of agitation for civil rights worldwide—the Yolŋu of northeast Arnhem Land created the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: Naku Dharuk. ‘The land grew a tongue’ and the land-rights movement was born.

Naku Dharuk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples. And it is a masterful, groundbreaking history.

Clare Wright’s Democracy Trilogy began with The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and continued with You Daughters of Freedom. It concludes with this compulsively readable account of a momentous episode in our shared story.

Clare Wright will be in conversation with Associate Professor Julie McIntyre.

Join us for wine, snacks, and great chat at the launch of Clare Wright OAM's latest book, Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy. Clare will be in conversation with Professor Jane Lydon discussing her book already described as 'A masterpiece' (Thomas Mayo). 

About the Book

In 1963—a year of agitation for civil rights worldwide—the Yolŋu of northeast Arnhem Land created the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: Näku Dhäruk. ‘The land grew a tongue’ and the land-rights movement was born.

Näku Dhäruk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples. 

And it is a masterful, groundbreaking history.

Before British colonisation, there were more than 250 languages spoken on this continent. Less than half survive today, and most of them are under threat. In a live episode of their hit podcast, Archive Fever, historians Yves Rees and Clare Wright are joined by special guests Cheryl Leavy and Paul Girrawah House to discuss orality as archive: how language helps us know the past and why the work of language revitalisation – bringing languages back to life – is so vital to the future.

Christos Tsiolkas is one of Australia’s most beloved and provocative novelists, and he is beloved because of his provocations. That’s a rare form of admiration in this tall poppy chopping country. Christos’s latest book, The In Between, is a love story; a tender tale of mid-life solace. It’s his most gentle, earnest book to date, and it may be his best. In this special event, Christos reflects on his life on - and off - the page with friend, and fellow Melburnian, Clare Wright.  

How did Australians come to have a political voice? Stella Prize-winning historian, Clare Wright, has spent more than two decades tracing this question through artefacts and archives. The result is a groundbreaking, three-volume masterpiece - The Democracy Trilogy - a milestone in Australian political storytelling. Join Clare and Barrie Cassidy, as they discuss the latest and final volume of the trilogy - Näku Dhäruk - the tale of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, founding documents in Australian democracy.

In the early 1850s, the discovery of gold in Victoria drew thousands to places like Ballarat in search of fortune. Amidst strict licensing fees and terrible living conditions – and as the gap grows between the haves and the have-nots – prospector Peter Lalor (Chips Rafferty) assumes leadership of the Ballarat Reform League and leads a rebellion against the state government. 

At the time of production, Eureka Stockade ranked among the most expensive films shot in Australia. This ‘Australian Western’ contributed to keeping the legend of the Eureka Stockade alive in the national memory.  

Presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival. 

Join us for a post-screening discussion with Professor Clare Wright OAM, award-winning historian, broadcaster and author of The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka. The discussion will be moderated by The Australian film critic Stephen Romei. 

Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.  

Join us for an event featuring acclaimed author Clare Wright OAM, Patron of the PMI Victorian History Library. She will discuss her latest book, which delves into the pivotal year of 1963. During this time, leaders of the Yolngu clans, in collaboration with their white allies, embarked on an unprecedented political journey that led to the presentation of four Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament. <> "Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions" offers a compelling narrative of a foundational document in Australian democracy and the individuals behind it. Clare Wright's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the rich and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples, highlighting their ongoing resilience and influence.

Bookings are essential.

Respected historians Clare Wright and Mark Dapin describe the excitement and challenges of diving into historical records to expose truths that often make people feel uncomfortable about the past, as explored in Clare’s new book Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions and Mark’s Lest: Australian War Myths. With Hilary Harper.

Clare Wright, author of Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions, chats with historian Anna Clark.

Anna's new book is a personal account of her love of ‘the catch’ and an exploration of how fishing became a national pastime. Anna delves into favourite fishing spots, the passing down of fishing know-how, Indigenous fishing practices, and why we love ‘throwing a line’.

Join us to hear Clare Wright in conversation about her latest book, Naku Dharuk: The Bark Petitions.

This is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the people who made it. It paints a vibrant picture of the profound and ancient culture of Australia's first peoples, in all its continuing vigour.

Clare Wright's groundbreaking Democracy Trilogy began with The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka (workers' rights) and continued with You Daughters of Freedom (women's rights). After a decade of research and community consultation, it concludes, fittingly, with a fascinating and compulsively readable account of a momentous but little-known episode in our shared political history.

Tickets are $10 per person, redeemable on purchases of Naku Dharuk: The Bark Petitions on the night of the event.

Please book here.

Näku Dhäruk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. 

Join us for a drink to celebrate the Melbourne launch of Clare's book at the Wild Geese Hotel, upstairs on level 1 in the Celtic Club Members Bar. 

Featuring special guests and a performance by Yirrmal.

RVSP essential. 

This launch is supported by Maurice Blackburn Melbourne. 

Discover a ground-breaking episode in Australia's First Nations history with author Clare Wright, joined in-conversation with Paul Daley.

How the people of Yirrkala changed the course of Australian democracy.

In 1963—a year of agitation for civil rights worldwide—the Yolŋu of northeast Arnhem Land created the Yirrkala Bark Petitions: Näku Dhäruk. ‘The land grew a tongue’ and the land-rights movement was born.

Näku Dhäruk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples, and a masterful, ground-breaking piece of history. Näku Dhäruk is also the culmination of Clare's Democracy Trilogy that began with The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and continued with You Daughters of Freedom.

Discover this compulsively readable account of a momentous episode in our shared story with author Clare Wright, who will be discussing her newest book in-conversation with fellow writer Paul Daley.

About the author

Professor Clare Wright OAM is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. Clare is currently Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University. In 2020, Clare was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for ‘services to literature and to historical research’.

Paul Daley is a multi-award winning journalist and an author of fiction and non-fiction books. He has been a finalist in major Australian literary awards including the Prime Minister’s History Prize and the NIB Award. He is a feature writer and columnist for `The Guardian where he largely writes about national identity, history and Indigenous issues. His most recent book is `Jesustown (Allen & Unwin, 2022), a critically praised novel about Australian frontier violence, anthropology and cultural theft.

Organised in partnership with Constant Reader Bookshop.

Näku Dhäruk is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples.

And it is a masterful, groundbreaking history.

On Tuesday 8th October at The Royal Oak, Balmain, join Clare Wright in conversation with Megan Davis.

Copies of Näku Dhäruk, The Bark Petitions will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with Wright signing copies after the discussion.

With Kip Williams' production of Picture of Dorian Grey captivating the world stage (and the screen rights snapped up by Cate Blanchett), a new animated feature film adaptation of The Canterville Ghost wowing children and TikTok claiming Oscar Wilde as the world’s first influencer, it’s fair to say that the man who wrote “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about” is having a moment.

In September 2024, The Australian Ballet is embarking on a monumental new ballet based on the life and writings of Oscar Wilde. As part of its longstanding partnership with The Australian Ballet, La Trobe University is launching a range of public initiatives/activity around the Melbourne Oscar© season to highlight the scientific, education and creative research links between the two organisations.

Curated by Prof Clare Wright OAM, this public event will explore the cultural influences on Oscar Wilde’s own literary output (particularly his philhellenism, a love affair with classical antiquity) as well as the ways that his work has impacted later generations of writers, artists, critics and curators. This discussion is also a chance to reflect on who the lesser-known literary heroes of the modern gay rights movement might have been. And who are the idols of today’s young LGBTQI+ people?

To coincide with Oscar©, La Trobe is also producing a book, The Importance of Being Oscar, making public the historical consultation a team of La Trobe experts in history, sexuality, English and creative writing provided to The Australian Ballet to bring Oscar Wilde’s life, times and works to life onstage with integrity and compassion. This free book offers a new level of insight into Oscar Wilde’s story, and a copy is included with your ticket. To receive your copy, please remember to add postage details at checkout.

Books from La Trobe authors will be available to purchase from Readings Books at the event or can be purchased online from Fiction — Readings Books.

Ticket sale proceeds will be donated to Pride Foundation Australia for support of queer asylum seekers.

Doors open 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start. 

What happens when a veteran interviewer becomes the interviewee? Join historian and author Professor Clare Wright as she turns the spotlight on political journalist, podcaster and television presenter, Annabel Crabb in the Festival’s intimate opening event.

Includes special performances by acclaimed poets Jazz Money and Sara M Saleh.

Presented by La Trobe University.

Join us to hear Ariane Beeston in conversation with Clare Wright.

Ariane Beeston is a child protection worker and newly registered psychologist when she gives birth to her first child – and very quickly begins to experience scary breaks with reality. Her memoir Because I'm Not Myself, You See is a candid, often humorous memoir of motherhood and madness, interwoven with research and expert commentary. It's the story of the impossible pressures placed on new mothers and how quickly things can go wrong during 'the happiest time of your life'. It's also about life on the other side of serious illness, trying to make sense of what doesn't make sense, and finding humour, beauty and joy when things don't go according to plan.

Claire Tonti will also perform songs from her indie folk album, Matrescence. Laugh, cry and stomp your feet with this celebration of the messy, complex, beautiful and sometimes brutal transition to motherhood. Tonti is a songwriter and podcaster. She released her debut album Matrescence in February 2023 with sold out shows both in her hometown Melbourne & across the UK and Ireland. 11 songs about love, loss, identity, motherhood, creative freedom & overcoming birth trauma.

Professor Clare Wright OAM is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media.

Free, but bookings are essential.

Please book here.

Join two of the most admired writers in Australia today, Booker Prize–winning Richard Flanagan and Miles Franklin–winning Anna Funder as they discuss writing in the margins between fiction and non-fiction, history and memoir, personal and public.

Historian Clare Wright leads this conversation, examining their genre-bending masterpieces. Through a hypnotic melding of dream, history, science and memory, Question 7 traces the ripples of history through Richard’s own family and is described by Anna as holding “a life between its covers”. Wifedom is Anna’s “counterfiction”, an attempt to write Eileen O'Shaughnessy, George Orwell’s first wife, back into the narrative from which history has so carefully excised her. Not only a New York Times Notable Book of 2023, Wifedom also described by Geraldine Brooks as “Simply, a masterpiece”.

Sunday April 28
12.00pm
60 mins

Book Now

The Ballroom, The Continental
1/21 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento

Nick Reece, Lyn Swinburne, Grace Tame and Clare Wright with Heather Ewart

Saturday April 27
12.00pm
60 mins

Book Now

The Ballroom, The Continental
1/21 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento

Kgshak Akec, Amy Brown, Monique DiMattina and Clare Wright with Fiona Sweet

Saturday April 27
9.00am
60 mins

Book Now

Sorrento Bowls Club
David Macfarlan Reserve, Hotham Rd, Sorrento

Catharine Lumby, Paddy Manning and Clare Wright with Jamila Rizvi

Join us for the first Launches @ the Library event for 2024, with a very special campus appearance by Christos Tsiolkas, to celebrate the release of his latest novel, The In-Between.

Christos will be joined In Conversation by novelist and Associate Professor in English and Creative Writing, Dr Catherine Padmore.

We will also launch the new Literary La Trobe podcast!

This special event will be hosted by Professor of Public Engagement Clare Wright, with the support of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

When: Wednesday 17 April, 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
Where: Seminar Room 1.34, Level 1, Bundoora Library

Register now.

Peter Moore in conversation with Clare Wright

The Enlightenment was an age of endeavours. As Britain was consumed by the impulse for grand projects, in 1768 the Royal Navy bought a Whitby collier for an expedition to the South Seas. No one could have guessed she would become the most significant ship in the history of British exploration. Her name was Endeavour. Historian and writer Peter Moore’s book, Endeavour: The Ship and the Attitude that Changed the World, presents a vivid biography of the most significant ship in the history of British exploration. In conversation with historian and broadcaster Clare Wright.

Part of the Jaipur Literature Festival - Find out more and get tickets here

Clare Wright, Marta Breen and Urvashi Butalia in conversation with Bee Rowlatt

Many feminisms and perspectives, both current and prevalent across cultures and societies, have perhaps provided a greater flexibility to the women's movement. Issues such as women rights, intersectional feminism, ethnic marginalisation, social hierarchies and economic deprivation all take on many forms and have to be understood in their multiplicity. This session brings togethers writers and activists from across the world to speak of their immediate contexts and the wider search for equity and justice.

Part of the Jaipur Literature Festival - Find out more and get tickets here

Angela Saini in conversation with Clare Wright

Science journalist, broadcaster and writer Angela Saini’s The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule traces the roots of gendered oppression across history. Tracing through the earliest known human settlements and analysing scientific and archaeological data through the lens of cultural and political histories, Saini masterfully covers Asia and the Americas. In conversation with historian, broadcaster and writer Clare Wright, Saini examines why we need to look beyond old narratives to truly understand why patriarchy continues to persist.

Part of the Jaipur Literature Festival - Find out more and get tickets here

Presented by SAKAL Media

In order to celebrate World Rivers Day, the Centre for the Study of the Inland and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor are supporting a screening of the documentary 'FRANKLIN' hosted by Prof Clare Wright, Prof of Public Engagement. This screening will be followed up with a panel discussion, facilitated by A/Prof Liz Conor. This Q&A panel will include the film's protagonist Oliver Cassidy and Director of the Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems Professor Nick Bond.

Don Watson tells Clare Wright the story behind his new biography, The Passion of Private White, from Neville White’s student years at La Trobe University, to his return from the Vietnam War and immersion in the lives of the Yolngu people.

Clare Wright invites extraordinary thinkers to imagine no limits: Megan Davis (co-chair of the Voice to Parliament campaign); Frank Bongiorno (author of Dreamers and Schemers); La Trobe graduate researcher, Akuch Kuol Anyieth (author of Unknown: A Refugee’s Story); and Joelle Gergis (ANU climate scientist and author of Humanity’s Moment).

From the soapbox to the stage, carefully crafted speeches have inspired and persuaded minds throughout the ages. As we lose faith in our leaders and the institutions of civil society cede their moral authority, we gather a group of stirring orators to recreate their favourite moments of speechifying – from the worlds of politics and theatre, cinema and the law – to remind us of the power of words and the thrill of great oration. Including Richard Fidler (The Golden Maze), Sisonke Msimang (Always Another Country), Clare Wright (You Daughters of Freedom) who take to the microphone for this rousing event. Hosted by Sarah Kanowski. 

Supported by the JIBB Foundation.

Allocation for Friends, Romans, Countrymen is currently exhausted. Head HERE to join the waitlist for this event.