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MEDIA RELEASE
10 July 2009
Australian author, journalist and young visionary share stories on how words
can change worlds
Renowned former journalist Margo Kingston, Australian actor and author William McInnes and a
young writer from the anthology will present different views on how words can change worlds at
the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House this Saturday 11 July 2009,
starting at 2pm.
As part of Canberra’s literary long weekend, the Museum of Australian Democracy in partnership
with the ACT Writers Centre will present a series of talks about the power of words in affecting
change in the world.
The session will start at 2.00pm with William McInnes, author of A man’s got to have a hobby and
Cricket Kings who
will chat about Australian’s relationship with sport and democracy, and his
latest book That’d be right—part memoir, part personal history of Australia over the past 30 years.
At 3.15pm, following McInnes will be Margo Kingston and Michael De Percy who will explore the
evolution of public language with particular focus on the use of social media as a political tool.
Kingston has worked as a journalist for many Australian newspapers including the Sydney
Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age and The Canberra Times. She was also editor of the 2004
edition of Not Happy, John!, and political columnist for the Sun Herald. Michael De Percy is a
Lecturer in Government Business Relations at the University of Canberra and a consultant for
public, private and community organisations.
The session will end with a chat with Chloe Adams at 4.15pm, contributing young author for The
Future of Us, who will share her vision for Australia beyond 2020 in conversation with author and
journalist Lynne Minion.
The new Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House connects Australians with
more than 2000 years of history and heritage within a network of dynamic exhibitions.
The
museum
traces democracy from its earliest origins and captivates
visitors’ imagination through
the stories of ordinary people using their voice to achieve extraordinary things. Open daily 9am–
2
Authors will be available for media interviews after each session.
Media contact:
Nicolle Keyes, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, 02 6270 8175,
0411 520 938 or Nicolle.keyes@moadoph.gov.au
ENDS
NEWS 
