The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and UniSA Creative are proud to present three sessions at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (18 - 22 October 2023) with UniSA Visiting Research Fellow, Dr Debra Dank.

Dr Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman. Her memoir of family, community and Country, We Come With This Place, was recently awarded a record four out of fourteen NSW Premier's Literary Awards - including the top gong, Book of the Year. She was also awarded the Indigenous Writers' Prize and received awards for non-fiction and new writing. We Come With This Place also received the Australian Literature Society (ALS) Gold Medal, with the judges calling the book, ‘a generous, moving gift to all Australians, showing ways of being in relationship with one another that build on foundations of truth-telling story and hope.’

Debra will be joining three Panel Discussions at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival:

Decolonization In Writing Practice: Paving The Path To Equality
Thursday 19 October 2023, 11.15am - 12.15pm 

Eva Fernandes speaks with author and social commentator Dr Debra Dank, scent designer and author Tanaïs, and ethnologist Dr Justin Wejak on decolonization in their writing practices. More Information

Narrative Shaping: Past Into The Future
Friday 20 October 2023, 4.45pm - 5.45pm

Dr Debra Dank, Anita Heiss, and Kevin Jared Hosein guide you through a journey into the realm of storytelling. Listen to these contemporary voices as they celebrate the profound wisdom gleaned from their communities, communities, moderated by journalist and writer, David Sly. More Information.

Nonlinear Narratives
Sunday 22 October 2023, 11.30am - 12.30pm

Writers, Chris Tse, Daryl Qilin Yam, and Dr Debra Dank will discuss their non-linear storytelling approach, weaving the past into the future, during an immersive and thought-provoking conversation moderated by journalist Annika Blau. More Information.

Earlier this year, Dr Debra Dank was in conversation with UniSA Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor Sue Joseph, discussing her book, We Come With This Place. Access a video of this conversation, A Story of Souls.