Geoff Hutchison - How NOT to become a Grumpy Old Bugger

The Mandurah Readers’ and Writers’ Festival is an annual adult literature event presented by City of Mandurah Library Services. The aim of the festival is to foster a love of reading and literature and encourage creativity in our community.

In 2026 the festival will be held from 8 - 10 January at Seashells Mandurah, bringing together an array of established and emerging storytellers from across Western Australia. This three-day festival includes author talks, and panel discussions.

Please Note:

This ticket is for an individual event, if you would like to attend for the whole day, please purchase a Mandurah Readers & Writers Festival 2026 - Day Two Ticket ($15.00)

The 2026 Mandurah Readers’ & Writers’ Festival closes with Geoff Hutchison. In How NOT to be a Grumpy Old Man Geoff shines a light on Grumpy Old Men and discusses ways to live a happier, healthier and less grumpy life.

Geoff Hutchison

In 2022, Geoff Hutchison hung up his headphones after a long career as an ABC broadcaster. Before that, he was a journalist on the 7.30 Report and a one-time Foreign Correspondent. Geoff is intensely curious and has seldom worked a day in his life. It has been one of great privilege: talking to people, witnessing extraordinary moments and coming to the understanding that the things we share are far more significant than those that divide us.

How NOT to become a Grumpy Old Bugger

They are the unhappy husbands, the disengaged grandfathers and the angry ‘letters to the editor’ writers. They sneer at generational change, know exactly where that bloody apostrophe should go and gather in sad groups bemoaning the modern world. They are Grumpy Old Buggers. Geoff Hutchison became determined not to turn into one himself upon retirement from a career in journalism. So he wondered: what is it about ageing that tends to have this effect on Australian men, and what can be done to arrest that development? Consulting a wide range of experts and mining his own experience and that of the other men in his life, Geoff has discovered how we can all live a happier, healthier and less grumpy life.

You are invited to join us at the end of the festival for drinks and nibbles.

What to Expect:

4.00pm: In Conversation

4.45pmam: Q & A

5.00pm: Book signing

Tea & Coffee provided.

Festival Bookseller is Dymocks Busselton