18 June 2026
One of Australia’s most acclaimed First Nations literary voices, Bundjalung writer Melissa Lucashenko, will visit Stanthorpe Library during NAIDOC Week as part of celebrations marking the theme “50 Years of Deadly.”
Renowned for portraying the lives of ordinary Australians in extraordinary ways, her work resonates with readers for its honesty, courage and emotional depth.
Through truthful storytelling, she explores themes of identity, family, resilience and truth-telling, inviting readers to engage with Australia’s complex histories and shared future.
Since her first novel in 1997, she has built an outstanding body of work marked by sharp social insight, and in 2025, her acclaimed novel Too Much Lip was ranked number 81 in ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Books of the 21st Century, as voted by Australian readers—an acknowledgment of her lasting impact on Australian literature.
Alongside her literary achievements, Melissa is a Griffith University graduate in public policy and a founding member of Sisters Inside (1992), supporting women and girls in the justice system.
Melissa is an Aboriginal writer of Goorie and European heritage, proudly recognising her Bundjalung and Ukrainian ancestry.
During her visit to Stanthorpe, she will share insights into her writing journey and the stories that have shaped her work, offering a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with a leading First Nations voice while celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Date: Tuesday 7 July
Time: 1.30pm
Where: Stanthorpe Library
RSVP: Call 4681 5560 or visit
https://southerndowns.spydus.com
Cost: Free
This NAIDOC Local Grants activity received grant funding from the Australian Government.
Last edited date 18 Jun 2026