What’s New

News from NCACL partners

Upcoming key events include exciting collaborations with Canberra Writers Festival – with guest appearances by Leah Purcell AM and Dr Clare Wright OAM – and music-themed films adapted from literary works.

Book Club at the NFSA | The Drover’s Wife (short + feature) + Discussion | 1 pm, Sun 20 Oct
Special guest: Leah Purcell AM

In partnership with Canberra Writers Festival

Henry Lawson’s iconic portrait of isolation in the Australian outback has been extensively adapted, critiqued and reimagined. This special edition of Book Club at the NFSA features Sue Brooks’ short film and Leah Purcell’s feature-length interpretation, inviting audiences to examine Lawson’s classic story through First Nations and feminist lenses. Followed by a discussion with acclaimed filmmaker and creative polymath Leah Purcell AM.

Eureka Stockade + Discussion | 6 pm, Thu 24 Oct
Special guest: Dr Clare Wright OAM

In partnership with Canberra Writers Festival

In the early 1850s, the discovery of gold in Victoria drew thousands to places like Ballarat in search of fortune. One of the most expensive films shot in Australia at the time, this ‘Australian Western’ contributed to keeping the legend of the Eureka Stockade alive in the national memory. Followed by a discussion with award-winning historian, broadcaster and author Dr Clare Wright OAM.

Music films adapted from novels
High Fidelity, 8 pm, Fri 1 Nov | The Wizard of Oz, 1 pm, Sun 10 Nov

Rediscover two classic adaptations on the big screen: Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity, adapted from the Nick Hornby novel and starring John Cusack, and Victor Fleming’s Technicolor family favourite The Wizard of Oz, adapted from L Frank Baum’s fantasy children’s novel and starring Judy Garland.


On Sunday 22 September, NFSA are screening Desiree Akhavan’s adaptation of The Miseducation of Cameron Post, adapted from the award-winning YA novel by Emily M Danforth. This moving film offers a heartfelt coming-of-age story and a razor-sharp critique of ‘gay conversation therapy’.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with special guest Cadance Bell, in conversation with CWF Artistic Director Beejay Silcox. Bell is a celebrated Australian director, producer and writer, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir The All of It: A Bogan Rhapsody.

Book Club at the NFSA | The Miseducation of Cameron Post + Discussion
In partnership with Canberra Writers Festival
1 pm, Sun 22 Sep @ Arc Cinema, NFSA Acton
Tickets: $20/18 via nfsa.gov.au/events


Curriculum codes now removed
The Australian Curriculum has been updated to Version 9.0 and since 2023 most educational authorities have implemented this version. The curriculum codes (Version 8.4) within the NCACL Australian Verse Novels Resource, NCACL Cultural Diversity Database, and the NCACL Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource are no longer valid have been removed.

Feedback is sought as to the usefulness for educators of adding the Version 9.0 codes.


Webinar Presentation:
The Power of Picture Books for Readers of ALL Ages
Speakers Dr Lara Cain Gray, Head of Acquisitions, Library for All + Writer, Librarian and Storytelling Advocate and Dr Belle Alderman AM, Director of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc

When and cost?
Wednesday, 4th September 2024, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm AEST, online
Registration here
Cost $35 for the one-hour presentation.

Attendees have the option to also buy Lara Cain Gray’s book which she will be discussing, ‘The Power of Picture Books for Readers of ALL Ages’ at a discount and free postage provided by The Book Cow Bookshop.

The Power of Picture Books_Email Flyer


National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) has created the Book Club at the NFSA A brilliant new series of Sunday afternoon screenings and discussions, presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival. For bookworms and film buffs alike, the program features faithful adaptations and creative interpretations of culturally significant books.  See their Australian children’s literature resources. See their online resources relating to Australian Children’s literature.  Includes Skippy the Bush Kangaroo series and other fabulous resources.


NCACL website hyperlinks flyer
A quick and easy way to promote NCACL’s social media, databases, artworks, finding aids and bibliographies.
NCACL website hyperlinks flyer

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