Better Off Said: Cats and Dogs

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.