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  • A long-haired small and fluffy dog sitting against a blue background.
  • Smiling face of a woman with long wavy brown hair, framing her face.
  • Smiling person with bob length pink hair, standing in front of a bookcase.
  • Writer Tony Birch, wearing a red jumper and glasses, reading from a book into a microphone on a stage, in front of a black curtain.
19 Jul

Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs

  • Talk
  • Events

Our animal companions take centre stage in this storytelling event from the brilliant minds of Marieke Hardy and Emilie Zoey Baker, inspired by the National Gallery Victoria’s Cats & Dogs exhibition.

In this special edition of spoken word series Better Off Said, a menagerie of writers come together to pay tribute to two of the world’s most popular domesticated animals: cats and dogs.

In this session, Melbourne writer Tony Birch, author and broadcaster Mimi Kwa, novelist Laura Jean McKay and Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman and sports journalist Shelley Ware reflect on the cats and dogs that have left an impression on their lives, while Robert Skinner, winner of the 2025 John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing, delivers a Living Eulogy to a beloved pet, celebrating life while we’re still here to appreciate it.

Witty, joyful or irreverent, these tributes to our companions promise to delight cat people and dog people alike. Hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker and curated by Marieke Hardy.

Hours

Date Times
Sat 19 Jul
  • 7pm - 8.30pm 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location

Great Hall
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Rd
Melbourne 3006

Open in maps location for National Gallery of Victoria

Price and bookings

From $41.50 to $92.50

Adult / general $42.50
Senior $41.50
Student / concession $41.50
Book online for Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs

Contact details

  • telephone number: 03 9094 7800
  • email address: ticketing@wheelercentre.com
  • Visit website for Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs
Facebook page for Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs Instagram page for Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs

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The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future. For more information, visit Aboriginal Melbourne.

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