In August 2025, David Roche Gallery welcomes renowned literary lecturer Susannah Fullerton OAM FRSN. Across two evenings, Susannah will share her knowledge on the public work and private lives of some of Britain's most renowned nineteenth century authors: Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters. Tickets may be purchased for individual lectures, or a discounted 2-lecture package.

Lecture 1 - Dickens of London: the life and works of Charles Dickens

Wednesday 13 August 2025, 6:00–7:15pm

Charles Dickens was the most famous novelist of his age and was adored by his reading public. But Dickens was more than just a creator of memorable and colourful characters - he was essentially a subversive writer, spending his life fighting tyranny and injustice.

Susannah Fullerton tells the tale of his rise from the blacking factory (where twelve year old Charles slaved for 6 shillings a week) to his position of successful novelist and lecturer. There is also the story of his hidden mistress, his troubled marriage and his desperate anxiety to keep the affection of his public.

The life, the world and the works of Charles Dickens are vividly portrayed.

Lecture 2 - Sisters of Tragedy: the Brontës and their works

Thursday 14 August 2025, 6:00–7:15pm

The story of the Brontës, a tragic and brilliant family, is one of the most fascinating tales in all of English literature. Charlotte, Emily and Anne grew up in a bleak Yorkshire parsonage, expecting to become governesses. Instead, they wrote 7 extraordinary novels - passionate, violent, feminist and autobiographical - which they published anonymously. Only Charlotte enjoyed literary fame, as Emily and Anne died soon after publishing their works.

Susannah Fullerton presents the incredible story of these sisters of tragedy, performs dramatic excerpts from their books and poems and depicts the Victorian background of repressive attitudes to women against which they struggled all their lives. Vivid slides will transport you to Yorkshire and its wild and beautiful moors.

About the speaker

Susannah Fullerton has been President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia for the past 30 years. She is a popular lecturer around Australia and overseas on the topic of famous writers and their works. Susannah leads very popular literary tours for Australians Studying Abroad. She is the author of several books about Jane Austen, and of Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia. Her new book, due out in October, is Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them, published by the Bodleian Library in Oxford. Susannah also published a free monthly newsletter, 'Notes from a Book Addict'. In 2017 Susannah was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to literature as an author, lecturer and historian.

Each ticket includes one beverage on arrival.

Limited parking available on-site.

Wheelchair accessible.

Banner image: Samuel Laurence (1812–1884) artist, Charles Dickens 1838 (detail), chalk on paper. National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG 5207. Portrait of Susannah Fullerton OAM FRSN (image supplied). Patrick Branwell Brontë (1817–1848) artist, The Brontë Sisters c.1834 (detail), oil on canvas. National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG 1725.