Readers - Books and Conversation with Stuart Coupe & Toby Creswell

Readers - Books and Conversation with Stuart Coupe & Toby Creswell + Special guests
Thursday 12th November | 7pm | Petersham Bowling Club

Join us for Readers - Books and Conversation, our monthly conversation series celebrating books and readers through in-depth yet relaxed discussions with authors about their work, creative process, and the ideas that inspire them. Hosted by renowned interviewer and curator Michaela Kalowski with book sales and signings at the door.

It's our final Readers for the year and what a way to finish!

Join us for a very special celebration of Double J, Triple J and the music, stories and culture that have shaped generations of Australians.

Sounds Like Teen Spirit is more than the story of a radio station; it’s the story of a cultural phenomenon that changed Australian radio and gave a voice to a generation.

For our final Readers Books & Conversation of the year, we’re making it extra special. Expect a lively conversation with Stuart Coupe and Toby Creswell, plenty of stories from the extraordinary history of the Jays, and a celebration of all things music with special guest DJ's Lucy Smith, Robbie Buck and Francis Leach plus signed copies of Sounds Like Teen Spirit available at the door.

Authors

Stuart Coupe is an Australian music journalist, author and radio presenter who has been involved in the Australian music industry for more than four decades. He was the founding editor of triple j’s JMag and has worked as a music writer for publications including Rock Australia Magazine and The Sun-Herald. Stuart has also managed iconic Australian acts such as the Hoodoo Gurus and Paul Kelly, as well as working as a promoter, publicist and record label director. As a broadcaster, he has presented programs on Sydney community radio stations FBi Radio and 2SER, including Tune Up, Wild Card and Dirt Music. Known for his extensive music knowledge and dedication to Australian artists, Stuart has also written several books, including Shake Some Action, a memoir reflecting on his life in music.

Toby Creswell is an Australian music journalist, author and pop-culture writer who has played an influential role in documenting Australian music history. He was editor of Rolling Stone Australia during the 1980s and later became a founding editor of Juice magazine. Toby has written several books about music, including The Real Thing: Adventures in Australian Rock & Roll, 1957–Now and 1001 Songs. He has also worked in television as a writer and producer, including on the documentary series Great Australian Albums, and was executive producer of Paul Kelly: Stories of Me. Through his journalism, books and broadcasting, Toby has helped document and celebrate Australian music and its artists.

Special Guest DJ's

Francis Leach is an Australian radio presenter, journalist and broadcaster who began his career at triple j in 1989. During his time at the station, he hosted music programs, including Three Hours of Power, before moving into current affairs with The Morning Show. He later built a successful career in sports journalism, working with ABC Grandstand, ABC TV’s Offsiders and commercial radio stations. Known for his passion for music, sport and current affairs, Francis has become a respected voice in Australian broadcasting. In 2026, he returned to radio as the presenter of ABC Local Radio’s Overnights.

Lucy Smith is an Australian radio presenter, music journalist, DJ and MC, best known for hosting Mornings on triple j. Originally from the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Lucy began her radio career at community station VOX FM in Wollongong before working at Sydney’s FBi Radio. She joined triple j in 2018 and became the full-time host of Mornings in 2020. Passionate about discovering new music and supporting Australian artists, Lucy has interviewed numerous well-known musicians and co-hosts the popular Science with Dr Karl podcast.

Robbie Buck is an Australian radio presenter and broadcaster best known for his 13-year career at triple j. He began his broadcasting journey as a child hosting a classical music program on community radio in Lismore, New South Wales. During his time at triple j, Robbie hosted a range of programs, including Home and Hosed, which champions emerging Australian musicians, and co-hosted the breakfast show with Marieke Hardy and Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall. After leaving triple j in 2010, he continued his career with the ABC, presenting programs on Radio National and ABC Radio Sydney, including the breakfast show alongside Wendy Harmer.

It’s going to be a very special night and the perfect way to finish the Reader's year, we hope to see you there 🪩