Josie McSkimming Rose Scott Women's Writers Festival out-of-season event

Join us for an intimate evening as Josie McSkimming discusses her compelling memoir Gutsy Girls with acclaimed literary biographer Bernadette Brennan.

Gutsy Girls offers a rare and deeply personal insight into the life of one of Australia's most charismatic literary figures, Dorothy Porter, as told by her younger sister. With unprecedented access to Porter's personal diaries and letters, McSkimming weaves a captivating story of sisterhood, creative power, and forging one's own path.

Dorothy Porter achieved broader fame through her bestselling queer crime verse novel, The Monkey's Mask, and took poetry and performance to new heights. But behind the public persona was a complex family dynamic. Born to renowned barrister Chester Porter, Dot, Josie, and their sister Mary grew up in an unpredictable home on Sydney's northern beaches, each seeking their own form of escape and ultimately forging impressive careers.

This special event explores the sisters' divergent journeys—Josie through evangelical Christianity and psychotherapy, Dorothy through "the Arts" and sex—and celebrates the enduring bonds that connect us even as we chart our own distinct paths.

Tickets can be purchased here.