Gutsy Girls with Josie McSkimming

Join Mona Vale local and author Josie McSkimming in conversation with Judith Beveridge as she shares the story behind her memoir, Gutsy Girls.

Gutsy Girls is an intimate insight into the life of Josie's sister - trail-blazing queer poet, Dorothy (Dot) Porter, and explores the personal experiences that fuelled her groundbreaking work.

With unprecedented access to Porter’s personal diaries and letters, Gutsy Girls is an intimate story of generational trauma, complex family dynamics growing up on the Northern Beaches, deep sisterly love and finding your creative power.

Books will be available for purchase and signing on the night.

$5.00 + booking fee

Non-alcoholic refreshments and nibbles on arrival.

Bookings required.

Josie McSkimming is a social worker, psychotherapist, university lecturer and author. She is the youngest of three sisters, her eldest being the award-winning poet, Dorothy Porter. Josie has appeared on many podcasts, radio programs, and on ABC TV. She is committed to social change and social justice and has become an ardent amateur naturalist and environmentalist.

Judith Beveridge has published eight books of poetry. Her books have won major prizes including the Prime Minister’s Award for Poetry for Sun Music: New and Selected Poems . Her latest book is Tintinnabulum which was short-listed for the UK Laurel Prize and the Judith Wright Calanthe Award. She taught poetry writing at Sydney University for 16 years. She was the poetry editor of Meanjin for 10 years and has recently joined the editorial team of The Marrow. In 2025 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Creative Australia.

Enquiries: 8495 5028 or libraryprograms@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au