It is our pleasure to be presenting Meet the Author: Grantlee Kieza for the launch of Annette Kellerman, Australian Mermaid, by the bestselling author of Sister Viv, Mrs Kelly, Hudson Fysh, Banks and Banjo. Award-winning journalist Grantlee Kieza will be talking about this extraordinary tale of the adventurous life of our first Hollywood superstar, as well as champion swimmer, and trailblazer, Annette Kellerman, at 7pm on Wednesday April 30th at the Coventry Library, Stirling.

In Annette Kellerman, Australian Mermaid, we learn about an extraordinary woman born into a daring, musical family in 1886.  Annette Kellerman was a force of nature and made for the stage - her first love - and encouraged to defy social norms from a young age. But after she was diagnosed with rickets as a child she took up swimming for therapy, and soon she became an Australian champion, beating boys, breaking records, and astonishing huge crowds by diving from great heights. Annette thrilled audiences in London with a vaudeville act, and her underwater ballet routines, combined with her beauty and athleticism, helped her become known on both sides of the Atlantic as 'The Perfect Woman'. Hollywood embraced her and she became the first great sex symbol of silent films. But despite all her fame Annette always saw the promotion of health, fitness and independence for women as her biggest and most lasting achievement, and her influence and spirit changed the lives of millions

Grantlee Kieza OAM is an award-winning journalist who has held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. He is a Walkley Award finalist and the author of more than twenty acclaimed books, including bestsellers Sister Viv, Flinders, Hudson Fysh, Banks, Banjo, Mrs Kelly & Mr & Mrs Gould.  

Tickets are $12 or you can purchase Ticket + Book for $36 (Annette Kellerman is $36 RRP) with the book to be collected at the event. Annette Kellerman will be on sale for the night for $36. 

Please join us in what promises to be a fascinating insight into an extraordinary woman from one of our most-loved journalists.

Location

Coventry Library - Stirling
63 Mt Barker RD, Stirling South Australia 5152

Contact Details

08 8339 3931 or books@matildabookshop.com.au