An evening with Annabelle Hickson & Sophie Hansen, in conversation with Jaclyn Crupi
Tuesday 28 May
6.00 - 8.30pm
Barwon Heads Community Hall, 77 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads
Join us at the Barwon Heads Community Hall for an evening with two of our favourite city-turned-country women Annabelle Hickson (Galah) and Sophie Hansen (What Can I Bring?) as they discuss their new books, writing, the creative life, community magic and so much more! Annabelle and Sophie will be joined in conversation by author and bookseller extraordinaire Jaclyn Crupi.
This event is proudly supported by The Melbourne Art Book Fair Regional Program.
Galah's editor Annabelle Hickson didn't plan to live in regional Australia, but she fell in love with a handsome farmer from western NSW, so she thought she'd give it a shot. She knew there'd be some sacrifices - her journalism career at The Australian, the beach and takeaway food that is still hot by the time you get home - but she had no idea how many opportunities there would be for her in this new life too. While her husband Ed planted pecan trees, Annabelle looked after their three young children, wrote a regular monthly column at Country Style Magazine and published a book A Tree in the House that has been sold all over the world.
Annabelle began to learn what it was to be part of a community, all in it together. Everywhere she looked she saw smart, clever and resilient people who talked about opportunities instead of limitations. This was in stark contrast to the simple-country-people stereotypes she'd bought into in the city.
Twelve years after moving west, as the 2019-2020 drought eased, Annabelle wanted to read stories from regional Australia that weren't about disadvantage. Lack of water, lack of jobs, and lack in general were all real, but they were not the only narrative from regional Australia. Annabelle also wanted to hear stories that reflected her own sense of luck at being able to live out of the city. She wanted to read about beauty and freedom and opportunities. She wanted a publication that assumed people in regional Australia were a smart and increasingly diverse lot, who cared about community and creativity and the environment, as well as profitability. And she wanted a publication that acted as a bridge between the city and country divide. So, she made Galah the magazine. Her new book Galah is born in book form from that widely acclaimed, much beloved biannual magazine. A best of, if you like, of that singular ongoing print project.
Sophie Hansen is one of Australia's favourite contemporary country cooks. She hosts a lively community of followers of her weekly 5 Things to Be Cheerful About newsletter, Local is Lovely blog and instagram, as well as countless pop-up dinners and events throughout regional Australia. Sophie trained in print journalism and has over 25 years' experience as a features writer. She lives with her family on a farm just outside Orange in New South Wales.
What Can I Bring? is Sophie’s fifth book, offering seasonally delicious answers to the question most of us ask when invited to a gathering. Drawing inspiration from some of her favourite country cooks, friends, family and bring-a-plate traditions, Sophie shares the best recipes when you need: a salad of substance; dinner for a camping trip; soup for the thermos; a wintry pot-luck meal; a treat for the cake stall; and countless others besides.
Sophie’s earlier books include A Basket by the Door, In Good Company and Around the Kitchen Table. Sophie also co-hosts a podcast about cooking and reading, and reading about cooking. It’s called Something to Eat and Something to Read.
Jaclyn Crupi is an author, book editor, project manager, event host and bookseller. Jaclyn has worked in publishing and bookselling since 2002. Jaclyn is regularly on ABC Radio reviewing books and offering reading recommendations. She reviews books on her Instagram account and talks books in her newsletter. Jaclyn has written numerous books for both children and adults including Pasta Love, Garden Like a Nonno, Nonna Knows Best and The ABC Kids Guide to Loving the Planet.
Tickets are $30 each (plus booking fee) which includes a glass of wine & nibbles. Tickets via TryBooking, available here.