Outspoken is delighted to launch its 2025 season by featuring Debra Oswald. Debra is best known for being the creator/head writer of the remarkably successful TV show Offspring. She is, however, also an award-winning novelist and playwright, a children’s author and a performer. 

Her new novel, which she’ll be talking about in Maleny, is ‘100 Years of Betty’ and, as the title suggests, it is the century-long saga of a strong, witty, intelligent woman born, perhaps, a bit early for her time. It is an idiosyncratic and very personal journey through her life, experiencing just some of the remarkable cultural and historical changes we have undergone. 

Geraldine Brooks says it best: “in ‘One Hundred Years of Betty’ Debra Oswald fulfils a novelist’s highest purpose. In a marathon exercise of imaginative empathy, she creates a life in full—all its aching sorrows, all its transcendent joys—unfolding amidst the convulsions of our tumultuous century. A rich feast of a novel, a perfect balance of sweet and sour. You won’t want it to end.’

Our introducing author will be Steve MinOn, talking about his debut novel, First Name Second Name which won a Qld Premiers Literary Award in 2023. 

• Both Debra and Steve will be in conversation with Steven Lang at the Maleny Community Centre on Tuesday March 11, 6pm for 6.30pm. Tickets are $27.50 and $18 for students. 

For tickets please visit our website www.outspokenmaleny.com.