Updates

Photo credits: Daniel Boud

Cats can get bad press because of their unfortunate tendency to prey on indigenous birds and animals. Nevertheless, they are interwoven into human...

Performers and Composers have different perspectives on writing pieces designated for various solo instruments. While the composer maybe thinking of the structure or the...

I am chuffed to announce that Big Music received an Independent Press Award as a Distinguished Favourite 2026.

2026 is the Year of the Horse. This year, a revised edition of ...

On the music front I’m looking forward to Camerata’s Classic Alchemy (pictured above) on the 20 and 21 February at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Sting’s musical The...

There’s much debate these days about how best to get a book out in the world. There are those that prefer traditional publishing and others who advocate for self-publishing. I...

Before Christmas I reviewed Greg Bourke’s Under Silkwood for The Pineapple. Yes that’s right, the title is a nod to Dylan Thomas’ Under Milkwood. It escapes categorisation but I...

I’m not a great fan of the crime genre. But I did enjoy The Judas Window by Carter Dickson which is of the ‘locked-room murder’ varieties. In fact the author excelled at this...

Call me perverse if you like but I’m sometimes reluctant to read Booker Prize Winners. I do but, I’m not inclined to rush to do so. This is no reflection on the qualities of the...

I’m still reeling from Christmas and entertaining many family members and grandchildren but now I’m in an introverted space perfect for reading and books are very much on my...

I reviewed Carmel Bird's latest novel which is set in the Sun King's era. Very detailed and well researched with exquisite writing.

Patrick White Literary Award winner Carmel...

I interviewed Greg Bourke about his recently released novel Under Silkwood. There's also a film here from his first launch in Silkwood.

Where did the inspiration come for Under...

I've written a piece about Musica Viva's 2026 Season. It's an imaginative offering of concerts which will appeal to a broad range of audience old and young with all kinds of...

Photo: Sophie Rowell and Alex Raineri performing Myths.

Alex Raineri is a musical chameleon — and a remarkable one at that. Flexibility is his superpower. He has the capacity to...

Photo: Dr David Kram AM, photo by Heidi Victoria.

I was invited by Dr David Kram AM to attend the finals of the 22nd German-Australian Opera Grant at The Edge, Federation Square,...

I'm so pleased Vanessa Tomlinson has been appointed as the Director of The Queensland Conservatorium. It seemed like the Con has been drifting away from its prime focus on...

I'm excited to have been awarded the Gold Award – Best Fiction Book for Big Music at the 2025 ABLE Golden Book Awards.

Also pleased by a five-star review by Reader Views...

I invited the artistic director of Brisbane Music Festival, now in its eighth year, to talk about this year's program.

In my view, the BMF, based at Fourth Wall Arts, which Alex...

At Brisbane Writers Festival I attended Phil Brown's launch on the 9 October at Brisbane Powerhouse. Sean Sennet was in conversation with him about his latest book published by...

Limelight asked me to review Michael Atherton's latest book Never Miss A Beat. It's an inspiring read because his life can be turned upside down, a job not working out, illness,...

I was invited to talk about the music industry and Big Music at the Long Listen Festival held in Palmwoods. The artistic director Louise King is imaginative and bold, and her...