Publishing as Resistance
Description
With funding for publishing and the arts facing increasing political censorship, avenues to share marginalised voices are dwindling. This conversation, hosted by Esther Anatolitis, focusses on finding independent pathways to publishing to ensure voices under oppression are still shared and heard. With Kirsty Wilson, Sam Biddle and Dr Yves Rees.
IMPORTANT BOOKING INFORMATION
Address: 540 on Barkly (restaurant – downstairs) 540 Barkly St, West Footscray VIC 3012
Please arrive 15 minutes early
Transport
Train: West Footscray station (850m), Footscray station (1.8km), Tottenham (1.9 km)
Bus: Route 220 stops nearby
Bike: Bike parking outside the library at 539 Barkly St
Taxi/Rideshare: Can drop off directly in front
Car: Street parking in the area, and there is a carpark next to the post office at 528 Barkly St
This venue has a small step upon entry. At the Barkly Street entrance, a ramp is available to provide wheelchair access. Please note, though, that the on-site toilets are not fully accessible. A fully accessible toilet is available across the road at The Chestnut Tree Bookshop.
Carer Tickets
A support person accompanying a person with disability is entitled to free entry.
Please select one Carer / Support Person – Free ticket with the purchase of a paid ticket. A valid Victorian Carer Card or Australian Companion Card must be presented at entry.
One free support ticket per eligible attendee.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive experience for everyone. Please let us know any accessibility needs when registering for this event or send us a message.
Lineup
Esther Anatolitis
Esther Anatolitis works venturously across the civic and cultural fields that create Australia’s future. A prolific writer, commentator and broadcaster, she is the author of Place, Practice, Politics (2021) and When Australia Became a Republic (2025) and editor of Essays that Changed Australia (2024). As Editor of Meanjin (2022-2025) Esther introduced the venerable journal’s first Indigenising agenda that framed each issue’s reading with the wisdom of Elders, and championed politically engaged writing of courage and conviction. Esther is Co-Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, Hon A/Prof at RMIT School of Art, and a member of the National Museum of Australia Governing Council. With over two decades in arts and media leadership, she is principal of strategic consultancy Test Pattern and works all over Australia on creative strategy, policy and precincts.
Kirsty Wilson
Kirsty Wilson has worked in the Australian book industry for over 30 years, including as a bookseller, publicist, sales and marketing director and festival manager. She lives on Wadawurrung Country and was one of the co-founders of Summer Reading for MPs in 2024 and Readers and Writers Against the Genocide in 2025.
Sam Biddle
Sam is a filmmaker and photographer focused on storytelling as a collaborative practice. His work centres lived experience, care, and participation, supporting people to shape and share their stories on their own terms. Sam is the photographer and publisher of Uyghur Resistance (2025) created over four years with Uyghur activists across the global diaspora. He also co-created 'Seeking Asylum: Our Stories' (2021) a book developed by refugees to push unfiltered stories of Australia's racist border regime to a mass audience. As a freelancer, Sam has partnered with Amnesty International, Human Rights Law Centre and Respect Victoria. He frequently collaborates with activists to craft digital content that lands with impact.
Dr Yves Rees
Dr Yves Rees (they/them) is an award-winning writer and historian based on unceded Wurundjeri land. They are a Senior Lecturer in History at La Trobe University, the co-host of Archive Fever history podcast, and author of Travelling to Tomorrow: the modern women who sparked Australia’s romance with America (NewSouth, 2024) and All About Yves: Notes from a Transition (Allen & Unwin, 2021). They are also co-editor of Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2022) and co-editor of the history journal History Australia. Rees is the founding editor of the new Australian literary journal LANTANA.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
