On finding and fostering the things that really matter…

Join beloved writers, friends and joy-seekers Julia Baird and Holly Ringland for an evening of conversation, connection and creativity – all in support of Médecins Sans Frontières.

All tickets include a $15 tax deductible donation to Médecins Sans Frontières.

Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international and independent medical humanitarian organisation delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare in over 70 countries worldwide.

Julia Baird is a Sydney-based author and journalist. She is the co-host of the ABC podcast Not Stupid and she writes columns for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the ABC. She is a former co-host of The Drum on ABC TV, senior editor of Newsweek in New York, Joan Shorenstein Fellow at the Kennedy School at Harvard University, and op-ed contributor for the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her first book, Media Tarts, was based on her PhD in History about the portrayal of female politicians. Victoria, her biography of Queen Victoria, was published globally to critical acclaim and was one of the New York Times' top ten books of 2016. Her third book, Phosphorescence, was a multi-award-winning international bestseller. Bright Shining was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) for Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Julia lives near the sea with her two children and an abnormally large dog.

Holly Ringland is the author of two internationally best-selling and multi-award-winning novels, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding, one nationally bestselling work of non-fiction, The House that Joy Built, and she writes a beloved and bestselling Substack, The Joy Rise, on the intersection of creativity and connection. Her books have sold over 500,000 copies and have been published in over 30 international territories. In 2021, Holly made her TV debut co-hosting the ABC TV factual series Back to Nature which aired in prime time and to critical acclaim. In 2023, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart was adapted for an award-winning seven-part series starring Sigourney Weaver.

Pre-order a signed book and save!

The team at Gertrude and Alice have limited autographed copies of Julia and Holly’s latest books available for preorder with tickets. Simply ‘add on’ the signed books you wish to preorder with your ticket purchase to receive a discount on the cover price!
Discount applies to pre-purchased books only. Orders will be available for collection at the venue from the team at Gertrude & Alice Bookstore. Personalisation and signing at the event is not available.

Event information

Refreshments will be available from the Theatre Bar from 5.30pm. Tickets are General Admission. Seats are not allocated.

Presented by Waverley Council and Gertrude & Alice Bookstore. With special thanks to Julia Baird and Holly Ringland.

To book accessible seating, please complete the Accessibility Requirements section when registering for your ticket.

Age suitability 15+