Meet the Author - Stefanie Koens

Stefanie Koens, winner of the Banjo Prize for Fiction, will be in conversation with author and friend Melinda Tognini, about Stefanie's moving historical debut Daughters of Batavia

Two women. One shipwreck. And four centuries of secrets.

Shortly before Christmas in 2018, Tess McCarthy, a hard-working English teacher who never does anything out of the ordinary, flies to Western Australia's remote Abrolhos Islands. She is in search of answers - both to the infamous Batavia shipwreck and her personal family crises.

Amsterdam, 1628. Saskia, an orphaned young Dutchwoman, boards Batavia with relatives, bound for a new and potentially dangerous life in the East Indies - only for her world to first collide with Aris Jansz, the ship's reluctant under surgeon.

Tess, Saskia and Aris - their lives linked by secrets that span generations - carry the baggage of past losses and the uncertainty of their futures. And, in the most unlikely circumstances, they find qualities that echo through centuries: faith, acceptance, and love.

About the Author

Stefanie Koens grew up in Perth, reading, writing and dreaming of stories. As a teenager she won prizes in the Mary Durack Young Writers Award, then studied English, History and Education at Notre Dame University. She loves bringing local history to life and capturing family stories.

Cost $8. Book and pay online.

Dymocks Karrinyup will be selling Daughters of Batavia, and Stefanie will be available for book signings.

Please note, the presentation will run for approximately one hour and refreshments are included.

For further information on this event please call the City on 9400 4751

Cancellations and refunds:

A program will only be cancelled if there are insufficient enrolments received one day prior to the event or due to factors beyond the City’s control. No individual refunds or credits will be given for general non-attendance.