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Stories of Birth & Death
Sat
25
Sat 25 Oct 10:30 AM
Terrace Room | National Portrait Gallery
Wheelchair
General Admission
60 Mins
October
Join us for an intimate conversation about the importance of community, faith and companionship at the key gateways of both birth and death – and above all, an honouring of those who work to support families through these transitions. Katia Ariel has written about birth and death in The Swift Dark Tide and recent release Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch. Oceane Campbell has written a memoir of birth stories, Labour of Love, and speaks powerfully about the service of midwifery in our society, and the importance of listening to women and families at this time. Together, they will speak about how respecting individual identities, values and spiritual traditions brings care and dignity during these watershed life events. Moderated by journalist, Sally Pryor.
Katia Ariel is an award-winning author, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Her memoir, The Swift Dark Tide, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and structural editing, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025.
Oceane Campbell is a proud and passionate midwife, writer and mother of three. In her latest book, Labour of Love, Oceane shares birth stories with illuminating insights into the issues of consent, risk and autonomy that exist in our maternity care system. Oceane’s first book The Silence Between Us: A Mother and Daughter’s Conversation Through Suicide and into Life, is a raw and original double memoir tracing mother and daughter as they try to understand and rebuild their relationship after Oceane’s suicide attempt as a teenager. In 2022, she was named Newcastle Woman of the Year for her advocacy work in mental health and improving LGBTIQ+ families' access to maternity care.
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Concession Tickets apply for children under the age of 16, full-time students, Commonwealth Health Care Card holders, Commonwealth Seniors Card Holders and Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card holders. Please have your eligible card with you at the venue.
Katia Ariel is an award-winning author, book editor and educator from Melbourne/Naarm. She was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Her memoir, The Swift Dark Tide, shortlisted for the Stella Prize in 2024 and won the 2024 Society of Women Writers NSW Non-fiction Prize. Katia’s work has appeared in journals such as Womankind, Antithesis and Archer. Katia teaches creative writing and structural editing, and lives with her family by the sea. Her second book, Ferryman: The Life and Deathwork of Ephraim Finch, was published by Wild Dingo Press in June 2025.
Oceane Campbell is a proud and passionate midwife, writer and mother of three. In her latest book, Labour of Love, Oceane shares birth stories with illuminating insights into the issues of consent, risk and autonomy that exist in our maternity care system. Oceane’s first book The Silence Between Us: A Mother and Daughter’s Conversation Through Suicide and into Life, is a raw and original double memoir tracing mother and daughter as they try to understand and rebuild their relationship after Oceane’s suicide attempt as a teenager. In 2022, she was named Newcastle Woman of the Year for her advocacy work in mental health and improving LGBTIQ+ families' access to maternity care.
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Concession Tickets apply for children under the age of 16, full-time students, Commonwealth Health Care Card holders, Commonwealth Seniors Card Holders and Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card holders. Please have your eligible card with you at the venue.