Author Talk: Josie McSkimming presents 'Gutsy Girls'

Spend the evening with author Josie McSkimming as she discusses her latest release, 'Gutsy Girls'.

Gutsy Girls is a unique behind-the-scenes story of love, family and the iconic Australian poet, Dorothy Porter.

The discussion will be facilitated by Judith Beveridge.

This event will start at 6.30pm, light catering will be provided for guests to enjoy from 6.00pm.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Please note: This talk will include discussion of family violence. Some content may be upsetting. Attendees are welcome to step out during the event if needed.

About the Author:

Josie McSkimming is a social worker, psychotherapist, and author. She is also a proud resident of Coogee.

She is the youngest of three sisters, her eldest being the award-winning queer writer, the late Dorothy Porter. She has appeared on many podcasts, ABC TV, and recently on ABC Conversations to discuss her work. She was once an insider of evangelical Christianity, until she became a loud protesting outsider.

Her most recent book is ‘Gutsy Girls’ (2025) UQP, a memoir of growing up in her complicated family and her late sister. It is a book about sisters, family trauma, finding faith and losing it, and navigating grief and loss.

Her previous book is ‘Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Reconstruction of Identity’ (2016) Routledge, about the profound identity changes people make when leaving high demand religious churches and communities.

About Gutsy Girls:

Dorothy Porter was one of Australia’s most charismatic and courageous literary figures. Achieving broader fame through her bestselling queer crime verse novel, The Monkey’s Mask, and its film adaptation, she took poetry and performance to new heights.

Her younger sister, Josie McSkimming, watched Dot become an award-winning poet, but it was a family of complex dynamics. Born to renowned barrister Chester Porter, Dot, Josie and their sister, Mary, grew up in an unpredictable family home on Sydney’s northern beaches. Each forged her own impressive career, but Josie and Dot sought very different escapes from their formidable father. Josie fell into (and out of) evangelical Christianity and psychotherapy while Dot found ‘the Arts’ and sex.

With unprecedented access to Porter’s personal diaries and letters, Gutsy Girls is an intimate story of sisterhood, finding creative power and blazing your own trail.

About the Facilitator:

Judith Beveridge lives on Wallumedegal land. She has published eight collections of poetry and has edited several anthologies. She was poetry editor of Meanjin for 10 years and taught poetry writing at post-graduate level at Sydney University for 16 years. Her book Sun Music: New and Selected Poems was awarded the 2019 Prime Minister’s Award for poetry. Her latest book is Tintinnabulum, short-listed for the UK Laurel Prize. In 2025 she was awarded a Creative Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature.

Accessibility

Randwick City Library is committed to making our events accessible and inclusive. If you have any access requirements, please let us know so we can support your participation. You can:

• Email libraryevents@randwick.nsw.gov.au, or
• call us on 02 9093 6400.

We’ll be in touch to confirm arrangements.

Terms and Conditions:

The health & safety of our community and staff is our top priority. By registering, you agree to comply with the terms and conditions listed below including the Covid-safe measures. Note: these terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

• Bookings are essential and spaces are limited.
• If you are unable to attend, please cancel your tickets as soon as possible. This will enable others to participate in the event.
• Due to the safety and enjoyment of participants, we are unable to admit latecomers to the room after the start time.
• Please arrive from 6pm to enjoy some light catering and allow the event to run on time from 6.30pm.
• Covid-19 Safety Terms and Conditions apply. Follow this link to find out more. Please review them prior to attending this event as these may change with short notice.
• Your attendance at events supported by Randwick City Council may be digitally recorded through photographs and/or video recordings. Images may be used for promotional purposes on council's websites, publications, social media or by newspapers. By attending this session you agree to these terms. If you do not wish your image (or the image of your child) to be published, please notify staff before the event.