SPAN Event – In Conversation with Petronella McGovern

Spend an evening with bestselling author and Old Girl Petronella McGOVERN (1986)

Petronella will read from her latest novel, The Last Trace, followed by a Q&A session hosted by fellow Old Girl and journalist Amy DALE (2005).

If you are a book lover, wordsmith or want to make it as an author, this event is for you!

Petronella McGovern (1986)

Petronella was a boarder at SCEGGS for six years, and always loved her English classes with teachers like Miss Hoddinott and Mrs Murray. In Year 12, she was a director in the House Plays competition, bringing home a win for Badham for the first time in decades.

Petronella is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the bestselling author of four novels: The Last Trace, The Liars, The Good Teacher and Six Minutes. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023. Petronella has also co-written two non-fiction books – a travelogue and an Olympic memoir. Petronella has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and tutors in creative writing. She grew up in central west New South Wales and now lives with her family in Sydney, on Gadigal Country.

Q&A Host Amy DALE (2005)

Amy is the Content and Communications Manager for the Law Society of NSW, and the Managing Editor of the award-winning Law Society Journal.

She is the host of Lawfully Explained, a podcast explaining everyday legal issues produced in partnership with LisTNR, and co-host of the Law Society’s Just Chat podcast. She frequently hosts author talks for Northern Beaches Council, as well as facilitated book club events.

Amy has 15 years of experience as a journalist, including five years as News Corp Australia’s Chief Court Reporter, during which time her book on the murder trial of Simon Gittany, The Fall, was published by Penguin Books Australia. 

Prior to joining the Law Society, Amy worked as a Communications Director and Senior Policy Adviser for the NSW Government, specialising in social policy and the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.