Join Suzanne and Gina as together they discuss this fascinating piece of literary history.

Charmian Clift was nineteen when she gave birth to her baby girl and had to give her up for adoption. By the time Suzanne Chick unearthed her birth mother’s name, Charmian was dead, having taken her own life in 1969 at the age of forty-five. By then Charmain Clift was a beloved columnist, novelist and essayist whose name was known to thousands of readers. But for all her talent, intelligence and extraordinary beauty, Charmian's life was marked by deep unhappiness.

Searching for Charmian is the result of Suzanne Chick’s remarkable journey of discovery. It is a moving account of the consequences of adoption and Suzanne's search for identity, now being rereleased with new contributions from Suzanne and her daughter Gina Chick.


Suzanne Chick was born in Sydney in 1942 and grew up in Mosman, the same suburb where Charmian Clift and George Johnston settled on their return from Greece in 1964. An adopted child with utterly different talents from those of her new family, Suzanne exhibited an unstoppable creative urge from the earliest age. Educated at North Sydney Girls’ High School, she progressed to the National Art School and Sydney Teachers’ College. After a long career teaching art and bringing up three daughters, she now makes her living as a painter, with occasional forays into the world of words.

Gina Chick is a barefoot nomad who’s happiest sleeping on the ground next to a fire, muddy paws and all. She’s the daughter and granddaughter of bestselling Australian authors Suzanne Chick and Charmian Clift. Writing is in her genes. She won the inaugural season of the Alone Australia (produced by iTV for SBS) after spending 67 days completely solo in the Tasmanian winter wilderness, dancing barefoot in the moss and singing to a platypus; which just goes to show she’s a bit bonkers but also never quits. She gives great hugs. Her Instagram is @gigiamazonia - more at website www.ginachick.com.

Nab a book bundle and save! Prepurchase your copy of Searching for Charmian when booking your ticket and save a bundle on the cover price. Orders will be available for collection at the venue from the team at Gertrude & Alice Bookstore.

Event information
Refreshments will be available from the Theatre Bar from 5.30pm.
Tickets are General Admission. Seats are not allocated.
To book accessible seating, please complete the Accessibility Requirements section when registering for your ticket.