Shaun Micallef will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno on Shaun's new book Matthew Flinders, a wildly funny and meticulously researched re-examination of the life of explorer Matthew Flinders.

Shaun Micallef charts the chaos, comedy and contradictions behind the founding of Australia. Who was Matthew Flinders? A pioneer who gave Australia its name but chose to name nothing after himself. A dreamer obsessed with Robinson Crusoe who wound up imprisoned on an island for six years. A leader who captained a stout and loyal crew but preferred spending time with his cat. An explorer who charted a continent but had a side-hustle collecting human skulls. A hero who wasn’t all that heroic.

The story of Matthew Flinders, like the story of Colonial Australia, is one of tragic lows and high comedy, of embarrassment, shame and humiliation. Enter Shaun Micallef to tell this tale as it has never been told (but probably should have): with both meticulous research and an overweening sense of the ridiculous. As he charts Flinders’ chaotic route around Australa and beyond, Micallef asks bigger questions about who we are as a country and what it means to hold onto a legacy in an ever-changing-its-mind world.

Shaun Micallef is a national treasure- comedian, actor, producer, bon vivant and a sometime author , who mainly puts food on the table by debasing himself on television. This is very undignified and he feels much shame, so every now and then he writes a book so that people think he's clever. He has received several awards including two Logies, an Aria for Best Comedy Release and an AFI for Screen Craft.

Frank Bongiorno AM FRHistS FASSA FAHA is Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas at the University of Canberra, Emeritus Professor of the Australian National University and President, Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS). His most recent book is Gold Standard? Remembering the Hawke government. Edited by Frank Bongiorno, Carolyn Holbrook and Joshua Black. (2026)

The vote of thanks will be given by Andrew Leigh FASSA, the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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