First up Dennis Altman discussed his re-released book 'Homosexual' with Anton Enus of the SBS. Altman certainly has moved in celebrity circles judging from the name dropping at this session, a fact he cheerfully, almost gleefully, acknowledged. As a man of a similar age to myself, I guess, Altman's reminiscences about being gay in Australia in the 1960/70s was pretty familiar to me.
Then three female biographers discussed how far you can go in revealing private lives. Anne Sebba found herself almost disbelievingly in possession of letters from Wallace Simpson whilst Hilary McPhee had to fathom a way to bring Tim Burstall's diaries to the public and Susan Swingler struggled through the intimacy of her father's letters to her step-mother Elizabeth Jolley.
Finally, encouraging literary creativity in the culturally diverse youth of western Sydney taxed the minds of the youthful panel that was Mohammed Ahmad, Judith Ridge, Felicity Castagna and Oliver Phommavanh who generated easily the feistiest session I have attended so far at this year's festival.
A few photos from the day.
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| Taking a break in the Sydney Dance Company cafe |
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| Seniors awaiting the start of Private Lives |
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| Western youths |
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| Passing you-know-what on the way home |
Altman is a very entertaining speaker. All sessions sound good.
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