Annabelle Chauncy: School for Life

Join us for an evening with Annabelle Chauncy, in conversation with Lauren Sams, as she talks about her new book, 'School for Life'.

WHEN: Tuesday, 15th of September 2026, at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore. Please arrive at 6:45 pm for a prompt 7 pm start. The event concludes at 8:30 pm, after the book signing.

TICKETS: 

Admission + Book: $50.00 (excluding external fees). Includes admission for one to the event and a copy of School for Life (RRP: $36.99), and a wine (or beverage) upon arrival.

‘School for Life is a story that will move you, challenge you, and remind you that one person with purpose can change thousands of lives.’ - The Hon Julie Bishop

In 2008, Annabelle Chauncy, a 21-year-old Australian university student, visited a school in Uganda, a country that had the highest school dropout rates in the world. Shocked by what she saw, she decided to act.

Eighteen years later, her foundation, School for Life, oversees three schools with a combined student capacity of 1700, employs 150 Ugandans, and has profoundly changed the lives of thousands of students, their parents, and the communities in which they live.

Most of these children are the first in their families to finish high school. Many go on to attend university. All will use their education, in big and small ways, to help break the cycle of poverty.

Told with raw honesty and unwavering compassion, this story is a powerful reminder of how the world can change when a determined person with a vision decides it should.

About the Author:

Annabelle Chauncy is a Co-Founder of School for Life. She grew up in rural New South Wales and has devoted her adult life to executing her vision of delivering quality education to underprivileged children in developing communities globally. She holds Bachelor degrees in Arts and Law. Annabelle's achievements in the not for profit sector and for her entrepreneurship have been recognised at the highest levels including being awarded an OAM and also winning the NSW Young Woman of the Year in 2015.

About Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore

Rated as one of the top 10 bookstores in the world by National Geographic, Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore is an oasis for writers, readers, and coffee lovers. Books overflow from the shelves of their store, featuring a mix of new, second-hand, antiquarian and rare books. Stay a while & enjoy some homemade chai, and amazing coffee, and unearth a book treasure or two. Read more about the bookstore's story here, and about the real Gertrude & Alice here.