Join us for an evening with the Keneallys

The SMSA is very proud to host an exclusive evening in conversation with the Keneally family to honour national treasure, Australian novelist, playwright and actor Tom Keneally AO, his daughter, co-author, editor and reporter Meg Keneally and Meg’s daughter and emerging poet Alex Coverdale. You can look forward to hearing the powerful stories from three generations of Keneally’s in this unique discussion exploring their work, family and more. Interviewer will be Victoria Hall, Social Media Executive at SMSA.

About Tom Keneally:

Tom was born in 1935 and his first novel was published in 1964. Since then he has written close to sixty novels and non-fiction works. His novels include The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Schindler’s List, The People’s Train, Daughters of Mars, Napoleon’s Last island, and The Crimes of the Father.  His history books include The Great Shame, Australians and The Commonwealth of Thieves. He has won the Miles Franklin Award, the Booker Prize, the Los Angeles Times Prize, the Mondello International Prize, the Helmrich Award (US), the Trebbia International prize from the Czech and Slovak governments, and has been made a Literary Lion of the New York Public Library. He is recipient of the University of California gold medal, is an Officer of the Order of Australia, a National Living Treasure, and is now the subject of a 55 cent Australian stamp. In 2014 he received an Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for his services to Irish culture worldwide. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Society of Literature. He has honorary doctorates from Rollins College (US), Fairleigh Dickinson (US) and has been awarded the Gold Medal of the University of California. He also holds doctorates from the National University of Ireland; the University of Queensland; the Catholic University of Australia; the University of Western Sydney; University of Technology, Sydney; the University of New South Wales; the University of Wollongong and the University of South Australia.. He has held academic posts at New York University and the University of California.  His most recent book is The Dickens Boy. He has written four convict-era mysteries, including The Soldier’s Curse, and The Unmourned, with his daughter Margaret. At 85, he lives with his wife. Judith, in Manly in Sydney and is still writing.

About Meg Keneally:

Meg Keneally has worked in journalism and corporate affairs, and has also doubled as a part-time SCUBA instructor. Her new novel, Free, is inspired by the life of Mary Reibey, the woman on the Australian $20 note. Meg is also the author of Fled (2019) and The Wreck (2020). With Tom Keneally, she is the author of four books in the Monsarrat Mystery series, and is currently working on the fifth. With Leah Kaminsky, she co-edited the non-fiction book Animals Make Us Human (2020), and has contributed to a range of anthologies.

About Alex Coverdale: 

Alex is an emerging poet and her poetry narrates the depths of the human experience, touching on love, isolation, and the nature and confusion of the human experience and growing. Alex’s poetry has been published in a number of works including Mind Food Australia Magazine, Under The Microscope Podcast as well as her grandfathers book, ‘A Bloody Good Rant’ By Tom Keneally. She has also done readings at her university and is seeking publication for her first collection, ‘The Heart, Mind and The Space Between’. It has been a journey of self-discovery and introspection, which is what she hopes it will be for others.

About Victoria Hall:

Victoria is the SMSA’s Social Media Executive, building and nurturing the vibrant community at the school. With a background in Fine Art and a passion for exploring creative process, she is curious to discuss different approaches to self-expression. You may recognise her soft Nottinghamshire accent from her days as Monday’s Culture Guide Host on FBi Radio back in 2022. Interviewing and reporting on the latest Sydney based arts and cultural events. At the SMSA, Victoria interviews artists, writers, and thinkers, talking about their latest projects and the inspiration behind them.