You are invited to a very special book reading. A reading of ‘The Children Act’, at 6pm Tuesday 25th November at Banco Court, Supreme Court Building, Brisbane.
Dame Quentin Bryce will be reading from Ian McEwan’s lastest novel ‘The Children Act’ followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Matthew Condon, author and journalist, with:
Justice David Boddice, Supreme Court of Queensland
Dr Richard Roylance, Eminent Paediatrician
Dr Conor Brophy, Chairperson, RBWH Ethics Committee
Gwenn Murray, Criminologist/Children’s Rights Advocate
Ian McEwan is a UK author. He has written 13 novels so far. His best seller ‘Amsterdam’ won the highly prestigious Man Booker Prize in 1998. He is also well known for his novel ‘Atonement’ which was made into a movie starring Keira Knightly in 2007.
‘The Children Act’ is a story about a UK High Court judge dealing with a case involving a 17 year old. The boy urgently needs a blood transfusion, but he and his parents are Jehovah’s Witness and they decline the treatment on religious grounds. The case comes before a judge (as the child is under 18), and the novel tracks her deliberations.
There are many parallels with this story and the work that Youth Advocacy Centre does, representing and advocating for young people under 18.
Youth Advocacy Centre was established in 1981 and offers free legal services, youth support and family support assistance and services to young people generally 10 to 18 years (inclusive) particularly those who are in, or are at risk of being in, the youth justice and/or the child protection systems, and who live in or around the greater Brisbane region.
Youth Advocacy Centre have asked Dame Quentin to be involved in this fundraiser, as she was involved in helping establish Youth Advocacy Centre more than 30 years ago.
Dame Quentin will be doing a reading from the book, which will then be followed by a panel discussion to debate some of the key issues in the story from a legal, medical, ethical and advocacy perspective.
Event details:
6pm – 8pm Tuesday 25th November 2014
Banco Court, Supreme Court Building, Law Courts Complex, 304 George St, Brisbane
$50 per person, including light refreshments
Tickets can be booked through ticketing website Eventbrite
http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-children-act-tickets-14101882109
To allow for court security procedures, please arrive punctually.
Copies of ‘The Children Act’ will be available for purchase on the night through Avid Reader
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