‘The Dressmaker’ Comes to Town!

Bendigo and Castlemaine Libraries are excited to welcome ‘The Dressmaker’ author Rosalie Ham and movie producer Sue Maslin to the Goldfields Region on Thursday 28 April.

Rosalie and Sue will discuss the inspiration, characters, cast, costumes and landscapes that brought the book to life on page and screen. What has life been like for them since the film’s outstanding success?

“We are delighted to be able to give the community the opportunity to get up close and personal with these two remarkable women,” says Goldfields Library Corporation CEO, Chris Kelly.

“Part of the filming was done in Horsham, and along with many locals, Rosalie appeared as an extra. We believe she will be bringing the outfit she wore on set to the presentations at both libraries.”

‘The Dressmaker’ has been hailed as ‘an Australian gothic novel of love, hate and haute couture’. It is set in the fictional country town of Dungatar in the 1950s, with the plot centring around Tilly, who returns to the town to look after her ailing mother. Many aspects of the film reflect Rosalie’s own upbringing in the small town of Jerilderie, NSW.

Rosalie and Sue went to school together but parted ways until 30 years later when Sue, an award winning film producer, approached Rosalie to bring her novel to life on the big screen. The award winning film was released after seven years of production, boasting a star studded cast including Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving.

Rosalie and Sue, who remain firm friends and golf partners, will appear at Castlemaine Library from 5-6pm, and at Bendigo Library from 7-8.30pm on Thursday 28 April.

Both events will conclude with a question and answer session and ‘The Dressmaker’ novel will be on sale with an opportunity for book signing. 

Bookings are essential and both events are free.

For further information and bookings visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/dressmaker