Ginsights: Showcasing Remarkable Writers
Note that for 2026, the Ginsights venue has changed. We are now holding the events at the Olims Bar & Bistro in Braddon.
Jane Rawson - Thurs 25 June 2026 6 - 8 pm
On Thursday 25 June 2026 from 6-8 pm, Ginsights will be in the Carlton Lounge at Olims Bar and Bistro with guest author Jane Rawson. Jane is the author of the essay collection Human/Nature: On life in a wild world, a non-fiction book The Handbook: surviving & living with climate change, three novels and a novella, Formaldehyde. Her essays have been published in Living with the Anthropocene; Fire, Flood, Plague; and Reading like an Australian Writer. Jane is the Managing Editor at Island Tasmania’s leading literary organisation, that recently produced the inaugural Nipaluna / Hobart Readers and Writers Festival, a vibrant five-day celebration of literature, story-telling and creating connection.
At Ginsights we will be in conversation about Jane’s novels:
A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (2013) a sci-fi novel described
as a meditation on happiness – where and in what place and with who we can find
our centre, a perceptive vision of where our world is headed, and a testament
to the power of memory and imagination.
From the Wreck (2019) winner of the Aurealis Award for
best science fiction, this novel follows George Hills who is pulled from the wreck of the
steamship Admella in 1859, and carries with him the uneasy memory of a fellow
survivor. Haunted by his memories and the disappearance of a fellow survivor,
George’s fractured life is intertwined with that of a woman from another
dimension, seeking refuge on Earth. This is a novel imbued with beauty and
feeling, filled both with existential loneliness and a deep awareness that all life is interdependent.
A History of Dreams (2022) Set during the 1930s in Adelaide, four young women are learning
to be witches. This subtle magic, known only to spinsters, has been passed from
aunt to niece for generations. Now this group of young women is using it to
power their own small revolution, undermining a system that wants them married,
uneducated and at home. Described by the Sydney Review of Books as “a book
about imagination, and about the ways in which the imagination operates, and
what its purpose or power might be in politically bleak and oppressive
times…imagination – and the ability to shape or direct it –[is] at the very
heart of human action, political power, and change.”
We will have a formal Q&A and guests will also be able to share cocktails and informal conversations with Jane. The Olims Bar and Bistro will be selling a cocktail of the night featuring spirits from the award-winning local Big River Distilling Co, alongside a Big River G&T, in addition to their usual selection of drink and dining options.
Our partner Paperchain bookstore will have copies of Jane’s books for sale and signing at the event.
All are welcome to come along to join this informal reader/writer conversation co-sponsored by Big River Distilling Co, Canberra Writers Festival and MARION.
Bookings required: tickets $12 per person.
Past Presenters
Sam Guthrie
Natasha Lester
Siang Lu
Kaaron Warren
Lucy Treloar
Let customers speak for us
Great vodka taste & super-fast shipping. Arrived within 12 hours of ordering!
Lovely traditional style gin easy drinking highly recommended
Using it chiefly to make herbal tincture. I am Giving 5 stars for it.
The gin tasting experience at Big River was so fantastic that I have bought a gift voucher for my sister to do the same. The staff were lovely, and the gin was paired perfectly with the garnishes and mixers. Highly recommend.
A great classic gin. Worked very well with tonic and in a dirty martini.
Amazing just over ice. I really enjoy this. Such an easy drink and feels special. I have given as gifts to so many people now too.
We thoroughly enjoyed this distillery tour! Clyde was full of information and enthusiasm about the gin he makes and was happy to help us understand the processes, both chemical and mechanical, that go into making gin. He also showed us the distilling equipment and explained some of the how-to's of achieving different flavour notes. Afterwards we got a flyer 6 different gins accompanied by a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter. Everyone was friendly and extremely helpful.
Brilliant event! I love the discussions and warmth at Ginsights, as well as the fabulous gin.
A great activity for any gin lover. The space is cosy and the staff were super lovely. They walked us through how their gin is made, then we got to taste all the gins! Every gin was great and so drinkable (almost too good). Would recommend.
Sam was great, the book is fantastic. The interview was excellent, got me interested to buy the book
My partner and I had a wonderful time discovering the finer points of gin distilling with the team! It was great to get some insights into how they make their gins and this was followed by a lovely series of tastings accompanied by a delicious charcuterie board. Definitely recommended!!
Loved it, fascinating to get to hear from the distiller and learn what actually goes into a bottle of gin. And then get to taste said bottle of gin! Bought home three bottles afterwards, would highly recommend.
I’ve read her latest book- very easy read. Rachel’s interview style was well thought out and interactive. I would definitely go to another of her book launches.
Very good gin. Hard to stop at one. I enjoyed it straight and then added some tonic. Will buy it again.
Delightful event at a lovely venue. Great atmosphere, delicious gin, friendly people. Really enjoyed, will probably go back just for the gin!