The power of stories: Resilience, change and finding your voice

Next date: Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | 10:30 AM to 04:00 PM

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Three remarkable Australian storytellers with three very different perspectives. One day exploring the power stories have to challenge, inspire and transform us. 

Join us for a special day of conversation, inspiration and creativity as acclaimed authors Jess Hill, David Hall OAM PLY and Candida Baker explore 'The power of stories: Resilience, change and finding your voice'. 

Across two compelling author talks and an inspiring creative writing workshop, discover how stories can help us understand difficult realities, find strength through adversity and, ultimately, find our own voice.

Hear award-winning investigative journalist Jess Hill examine the stories and systems surrounding domestic and family violence; join Paralympic champion David Hall as he shares an extraordinary story of resilience and achievement; then turn the focus to your own storytelling with acclaimed author and editor Candida Baker, who will help you discover and trust your creative voice. 

Whether you love books, powerful conversations, remarkable life stories or writing your own, join us for one session, or make a day of it and experience all three. 

Books will be available to purchase on the day from Constant Reader Bookshop. 

Book one or all of the three events below:  

10:30 am–11:30 am: Jess Hill in conversation with Yvette Vignando – Understanding domestic and family violence: Stories, power and change

Stella Prize-winning author and investigative journalist Jess Hill joins Yvette Vignando, CEO of Mary’s House Services, for an important and thought-provoking conversation about domestic and family violence in Australia. 

Jess is one of Australia’s most recognised and respected thinkers on gendered violence. Her bestselling book See What You Made Me Do takes a deep and confronting look at the abuse experienced by women and children, the systems that can enable it, and the changes needed to break cycles of violence. 

In conversation with Yvette, Jess will discuss the new and updated edition of this groundbreaking book and consider what it could take for Australia to more effectively address violence against women and children. 

About See What You Made Me Do: Winner of the 2020 Stella Prize, See What You Made Me Do has influenced and educated policymakers, the domestic, family and sexual violence sector and the broader community. The updated edition continues Jess's examination of the forces behind domestic abuse while asking what meaningful change could look like. 

About Jess Hill: Jess is a Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist, author and educator. She is also the author of the Quarterly Essays The Reckoning and Losing It, and writer and presenter of acclaimed SBS docuseries and the podcast The Trap. 

About Yvette Vignando: Yvette is CEO of Mary’s House Services and has extensive experience across the domestic and family violence, community legal and crisis housing sectors.

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12:30 pm–1:30 pm: David Hall OAM PLY: Beyond the finish line: Disability, resilience and achievement

From a life-changing accident at 16 to becoming the world's number one wheelchair tennis player, David Hall's story is one of extraordinary resilience, determination and achievement. 

A five-time Paralympic medallist, Sydney 2000 gold medallist and multiple Grand Slam champion, David will share the remarkable journey behind his autobiography, Superbeast. 

David's professional wheelchair tennis career spanned 15 years and more than 80 tournament victories, including nine Australian Opens and eight US Opens. He finished six seasons ranked world number one and has since been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, International Tennis Hall of Fame and Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. But Superbeast is about much more than sporting success!  

About Superbeast: Raw, funny and inspiring, Superbeast traces David's life from his childhood and teenage years through the devastating accident that resulted in the loss of both his legs, his recovery and adjustment to a new life, and his discovery of wheelchair tennis. 

David takes readers behind the scenes of an extraordinary sporting career – travelling the world, experiencing thrilling victories and crushing defeats, winning Paralympic gold in Sydney, living in America and eventually facing another major transition: life after professional sport. 

Join David as he reflects on resilience, identity, humour and what can lie beyond the moments that change our lives forever. 

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2:30 pm–4 pm: Creative writing workshop with Candida Baker: How do you find your creative voice – and learn to trust it?

Acclaimed writer, poet, journalist and editor Candida Baker invites writers of all levels and genres to explore what makes their writing uniquely their own. 

In this practical and inspiring creative writing workshop, Candida will share a toolkit of ideas and engaging exercises designed to help you discover, develop and use your creative voice. 

Whether you're taking your first steps into creative writing, returning to a long-neglected idea or already working on your own stories, this workshop offers an opportunity to experiment, find inspiration and give yourself permission to let your voice emerge on the page. 

About Candida Baker and her books 

Candida has enjoyed a long and varied career as a writer. Her books include the novels Women and Horses, The Hidden and her latest novel, Light and Shadow; the short-story collection The Powerful Owl; the acclaimed non-fiction series Yacker: Australian Writers Talk About Their Work; three children's books; and her memoir The Heart of a Horse. 

Her latest novel, Light and Shadow, is a rich reimagining inspired by the extraordinary true story of pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge. Through an imagined family history, Candida explores identity and belonging, women's power, memory, creativity and the ways the past continues to shape the present.   

She is also the co-editor of How Fast Is the Wind?, a celebrated anthology of horse poetry featuring contemporary Australian and international poets, published in 2026. The collection combines new works with much-loved poems. 

A writer, editor, photographer and journalist, Candida regularly reviews fiction and non-fiction for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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When

  • Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | 10:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Location

Creator Space.

Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, 2067, View Map

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