2026—

Matrescence: What Makes a Mother?, Feb 4, 2026.
Fitzroy Town Hall Reading Room

What does it mean to become a mother? Matrescence—the epic, often invisible metamorphosis into motherhood—remains one of the most profound transitions in a woman’s life, yet it is still only beginning to be widely understood.

In this intimate panel, artist Atong Atem, writer Rachel Ang, and author and host of Australian Birth Stories podcast Sophie Walker reflect on their journeys into motherhood. Moderated by broadcaster Beth Atkinson-Quinton, the conversation will explore how motherhood has reshaped their identities, bodies, and sense of place in the world.

Expect raw honesty, deep insight, and a powerful conversation about the growing pains, revelations, and resilience that come with becoming a mother. Together, they explore how art and motherhood collide, coalesce, and carve new paths through the self.

previously—

I have hosted and presented panels with Melbourne Writers Festival, Audiocraft Podcast Festival, Emerging Writers Festival, The Wheeler Centre, The Walkley Foundation, Australian Centre for Moving Image, Arts Centre Melbourne, among others; one of my very favourite speaking opportunities was sharing the stage with Uncle Jack Charles for a Change The Date event in 2017. I have also been a guest on radio for Triple R, FBi Radio, 3CR, JOY and PBS 106.7, and have guest lectured at RMIT University, Deakin University, Collarts and Monash University.