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Adam Courtenay: My Father Bryce

Presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre

2025-08-05 18:00:00 2025-08-05 19:00:00 Australia/Melbourne Adam Courtenay: My Father Bryce Adam Courtenay takes the stage to discuss 'My Father Bryce', his memoir detailing life as a son of one of Australia's most prolific writers. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) - Wurdi Youang

Tuesday, August 05
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-05 18:00:00 2025-08-05 19:00:00 Australia/Melbourne Adam Courtenay: My Father Bryce Adam Courtenay takes the stage to discuss 'My Father Bryce', his memoir detailing life as a son of one of Australia's most prolific writers. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) - Wurdi Youang

Adam Courtenay takes the stage to discuss 'My Father Bryce', his memoir detailing life as a son of one of Australia's most prolific writers.

Bryce Courtenay was one of Australia’s most cherished authors, known for unforgettable works like The Power of One and April Fool’s Day. But behind the public acclaim was a more elusive figure – a gifted, often unpredictable storyteller whose personal truths didn’t always align with his fiction. 

In My Father Bryce, journalist and author Adam Courtenay offers a powerful, unflinching portrait of life with his famous father. From a childhood shaped by Bryce’s rise to literary stardom in the 1960s and 70s, to the private struggles and silent griefs that accompanied his success, he explores the complex emotional terrain of their relationship. It is a story of reckoning, resilience, and coming to terms with the myths we build around those we love. 

Join Adam for an intimate discussion about family, legacy and the truth behind the legend, with Elizabeth McCarthy. 

About the author

Adam Courtenay is a Sydney-based writer and financial journalist. He has had a long career in the UK and Australia, writing for papers such as the Financial Times, the Sunday Times, the SMH/Age and for magazines including Forbes and Company Director. Adam has a love of Australian history and biography and has written six books, including The Ship That Never Was, The Ghost and the Bounty Hunter and Three Sheets to the Wind. He is the son of Australia's best-selling storyteller, Bryce Courtenay. He lives in Sydney with his wife Gina and dog Polly.

Tickets are $20 or $10 for concession/students. Exclusive to library members only (it's free to join the library!)

If you need any assistance in order to participate in this event, please contact events@grlc.vic.gov.au at least two weeks prior to the event date.

Book sales and signings will be offered at the conclusion of the event.

Presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Author Talks |

TAGS: | recommended |

Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome)

Phone: (03) 4201 0600

Hours

Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome)

Mon, Jun 30 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Tue, Jul 01 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Wed, Jul 02 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Fri, Jul 04 9:00AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Jul 05 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Tel: (03) 4201 0600

Upcoming events

Wed, Jul 02, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Jul 07, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room
Enjoy some low-cost screen-free fun! From old-school games to learning something new. Together we'll discover how to... more
Enjoy some low-cost screen-free fun! From old-school games to learning something new. Together we'll discover how to use common household items to create epic family games. Recommended age: 5-8

Mon, Jul 07, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Jul 07, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Complete challenges using Blue Bots. Missions include underwater clean-up, food harvest, The Very Hungry Caterpillar... more
Complete challenges using Blue Bots. Missions include underwater clean-up, food harvest, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a healthy ways maze. Recommended age: 8-12.
This event is full

Tue, Jul 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and learn more about Australian First Nations Art! Listen to stories and then create your own... more
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and learn more about Australian First Nations Art! Listen to stories and then create your own story using First Nations symbols and modern elements. Recommended age: 5-12.
This event is full

Tue, Jul 08, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 08, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Do your bit for the planet by bringing along and upcycling your old clothes or t-shirts into a fashionably unique... more
Do your bit for the planet by bringing along and upcycling your old clothes or t-shirts into a fashionably unique tote bag. Grab groceries in style! Recommended age: 12-18

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room,The Reading Nest
Discover the world of food through stories, songs and craft. Recommended age: Preschool.

Wed, Jul 09, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Wed, Jul 09, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Make your own feast! Learn to make non-edible delights out of fluffy pom poms. Recommended age: 8-12.

Thu, Jul 10, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted... more
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted by the City of Greater Geelong.

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room
Make your own feast! Learn to make non-edible delights out of fluffy pom poms. Recommended age: 8-12.

Thu, Jul 10, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Save your old family recipes at the library! Do you have any old handwritten recipes at home? Make them exciting... more
Save your old family recipes at the library! Do you have any old handwritten recipes at home? Make them exciting again using Canva online. Recommended age: 12-18.

Fri, Jul 11, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted... more
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted by the City of Greater Geelong.

Fri, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room,The Reading Nest
Discover the magic of growing food sustainably! Learn how plants grow through singing, stories, dancing and rhyming.... more
Discover the magic of growing food sustainably! Learn how plants grow through singing, stories, dancing and rhyming. For budding gardeners and nature lovers. Recommended age: Preschool

Fri, Jul 11, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
The Cave
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and learn more about Australian First Nations Art! Listen to stories and then create your own... more
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and learn more about Australian First Nations Art! Listen to stories and then create your own story using First Nations symbols and modern elements. Recommended age: 5-12.

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted... more
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted by the City of Greater Geelong.

Sun, Jul 13, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted... more
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted by the City of Greater Geelong.

Rescheduled
Mon, Jul 14, 9:00am - 4:00pm
New date Thursday, July 10, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted... more
Discover the Secret World of Food at your local library! Join us for an exciting and interactive exhibition hosted by the City of Greater Geelong.

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room
Join us for this hands-on workshop. Make your very own foodie fridge magnets, from recycled materials or polymer... more
Join us for this hands-on workshop. Make your very own foodie fridge magnets, from recycled materials or polymer clay. Recommended age: 8-12.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Jul 14, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Join us as we use new and recycled materials to create your very own bulletin board. BYO mementos such as photos,... more
Join us as we use new and recycled materials to create your very own bulletin board. BYO mementos such as photos, tickets, etc. Other materials supplied. Recommended age: 12-18.

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Activity Room
Creatives of all ages are invited to join local artist Fern Smith to help create the longest book in the world.

Rescheduled
Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
New date Tuesday, July 15, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Creatives of all ages are invited to join local artist Fern Smith to help create the longest book in the world.

Rescheduled
Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:00pm
New date Thursday, July 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Creatives of all ages are invited to join local artist Fern Smith to help create the longest book in the world.

Tue, Jul 15, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Kim barne thaliyu Research Room
Immerse yourself in Geelong?s past and create an artwork using historic images of Geelong and surrounding areas from... more
Immerse yourself in Geelong?s past and create an artwork using historic images of Geelong and surrounding areas from the Kim barne thaliyu Geelong Heritage Centre!

Tue, Jul 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Where does your food come from? Learn about farming and growing your own food in this hands-on session. Plus, grow... more
Where does your food come from? Learn about farming and growing your own food in this hands-on session. Plus, grow your own cress from seed! Recommended age: 5-8.

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room,The Reading Nest
Discover the magic of growing food sustainably! Learn how plants grow through singing, stories, dancing and rhyming.... more
Discover the magic of growing food sustainably! Learn how plants grow through singing, stories, dancing and rhyming. For budding gardeners and nature lovers. Recommended age: Preschool

Wed, Jul 16, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Wed, Jul 16, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Join us for this hands-on workshop. Make your very own foodie fridge magnets, from recycled materials or polymer... more
Join us for this hands-on workshop. Make your very own foodie fridge magnets, from recycled materials or polymer clay. Recommended age: 8-12.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Come along to this workshop to learn basic crochet techniques!

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room
Where does your food come from? Learn about farming and growing your own food in this hands-on session. Plus, grow... more
Where does your food come from? Learn about farming and growing your own food in this hands-on session. Plus, grow your own cress from seed! Recommended age: 5-8.

Thu, Jul 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Activity Room
Do your bit for the planet by bringing along and upcycling your old clothes or t-shirts into a fashionably unique... more
Do your bit for the planet by bringing along and upcycling your old clothes or t-shirts into a fashionably unique tote bag. Grab groceries in style! Recommended age: 12-18

Fri, Jul 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Activity Room,The Reading Nest
Discover the world of food through stories, songs and craft. Recommended age: Preschool.

Fri, Jul 18, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
The Cave
Join us for some family movie fun. BYO popcorn! Recommended age: 8+

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Zines from Geelong and beyond will be available to buy or swap. We are also totally open for anyone in the zine... more
Zines from Geelong and beyond will be available to buy or swap. We are also totally open for anyone in the zine community to join us, hang out, and sell your own zines.

Mon, Jul 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Jul 21, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 22, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ground Floor (Central)
Come along and get crafty! All skill levels welcome.

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Jul 23, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Creatives of all ages are invited to join local artist Fern Smith to help create the longest book in the world.

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Ground Floor South (Blue Table)
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn... more
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is the home for zines in Geelong! Come along to our regular workshops to learn how to construct your personalised zine.

Fri, Jul 25, 10:30am - 11:15am
The Reading Nest
Help your child discover the magic of stories and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Sat, Jul 26, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room Level 2
Have fun sketching unique still life compositions at the iconic Geelong Library & Heritage Centre!

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Mon, Jul 28, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Mon, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art &... more
Calling all artists & creative legends. Get hands on with painting, origami, cut & pasting, & all things art & craft. Activities vary each week. Come along & let your imaginations fly! Ages 5-18

Tue, Jul 29, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Tue, Jul 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to... more
Build and construct Lego® Spike models, the innovative robotics and coding platform that brings STEM learning to life! Recommended age 8-12.
Registration opens Monday, July 7 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:30am - 11:50am
The Reading Nest
Join us for a fun-filled interactive session of songs and rhymes for babies and carers.

Thu, Jul 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
The Reading Nest
Dance, sing and read along with your child at our action-packed Toddler Time program.

Thu, Jul 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Activity Room
Join other LEGO fans, explore your creativity and see where your imagination can take you. Ages 5+