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Join us for the ASA’s night of nights to hear from highly-acclaimed author and academic, Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon woman, Dr Debra Dank. In her keynote address, Dr Dank will explore whether, in a world of multiplicity, a multicultural world, where we face polycrisis, the writer can be singular in their writerly activities. What is the role of the author in public life where culturally diverse audiences populate the literary landscape, and what of that dominant vocabulary? How might a writer move beyond a siloed narrative of exclusion?
This year’s Keynote event will be extra special: on the evening we are delighted to be announcing the winner of the 2026 Barbara Jefferis Award and presenting the 2026 ASA Medal to a legendary Australian creator.
Venue: The Glasshouse & Auditorium – State Library of New South Wales, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Drinks and light refreshments will be served from 6:00 pm, with formal proceedings commencing at 6:30 pm.
Seats are limited. RSVPs are essential by 4:00 pm AEDT Friday 30 October 2026. Use the ‘book now’ button to RSVP.
This annual keynote address commemorates the journalist and author Colin Simpson, a founding member of the ASA, the driving force behind the introduction of Public Lending Right in 1975, and an accomplished travel writer and television host. In keeping with its namesake, this event is both thought-provoking and stimulating.
An illustrious range of industry luminaries have delivered this address, including Leah Jing McIntosh, James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, Toni Jordan, the Minister for the Arts, the Hon Tony Burke MP, Nyadol Nyuon, Tony Birch, Benjamin Law, Jacqueline Harvey, Frank Moorhouse, Stan Grant, Shaun Tan, Melissa Lucashenko, and more.
