Charmian Clift was born in Kiama in 1923 and became one of our country’s finest essayists. Her publications from the 1950s and 60s include essays, travel memoirs and novels, as well as novels co-authored with husband George Johnston. In this her centenary year, Dr Julian Neylan will talk about Kiama connections across her literary legacy, including six essays specifically about her life in Kiama and a novel set on the coastline of her Kiama childhood. He will also touch on the relevance of her essays in today’s world.

 Julian Neylan has a doctorate in the History and Philosophy of Science. His enthusiasm for Australian writers has led him to the works of Charmian Clift, for which he has become an unashamed devotee.