The Nightmare & The Narrative

Meet the survivors who turned the crimes against them into bestselling books. Sisters in Crime invites you to join Queensland Convenor, Megan Norris, in conversation with debut authors Lily Arthur, Sonya Leeding, and Kay Schubach – three women who have triumphed over tragedy by turning their worst nightmares into stories that shine a light on the impact of violent crime.

Sonya Leeding was a lawyer who joined the police force. As a young rookie at the Police Academy, she met her husband. In 2011, while on maternity leave with her second child, she received the shattering news that her husband Senior Constable Damian Leeding had been shot as he attended a bungled robbery at Pacific Pines Tavern. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries. Sonya’s debut book Blue Widow (Ocean Reeve Publishing) is a raw and honest account of her journey adjusting to life as a 32-year-old widow and single mum. Sonya shares the lessons she learnt as a victim of a crime, which has given her a unique edge in her work as a detective with the QPS Child Protection and Investigation Unit. Born in New Zealand, Sonya grew up in Logan, and now lives on the Gold Coast. She is a vocal advocate for the National Organ Donor Register.

In 1967 pregnant teenager, Lily Arthur, was thrown in a jail cell and charged with being ‘in moral danger.’ For the next eight months, she was unlawfully detained in the notorious Wooloowin home for delinquent girls run by the Sisters of Mercy, where she was forced to surrender her baby. Dirty Laundry (Lily Arthur Books) is the story of her 40-year search to find her child and her crusade for justice. Her work contributed to the 2012 national apology to the 140,000 Australian unmarried mums whose babies were stolen from them in the Government’s forced adoption racket. Lily is the CEO of Origins Supporting People Separated by Adoption Incorporated (Australia). She lives on the Gold Coast with her husband Des, her daughter, Amanda, and her ten grandchildren.

Kay Schubach is a best-selling author, activist, and advocate for social justice. She is a stage four cancer survivor and a survivor of acute domestic violence. Her debut book Perfect Strangers (Penguin Books) is a memoir that chronicles the journey of her own survival and shines a light on the insidious nature of domestic violence. The book sold over 10,000 copies and was translated into two languages. Kay is an active campaigner for sexual assault law reform, and an advocate and speaker for gender equity, social justice, and domestic abuse. Kay has been an ambassador for Domestic Violence NSW, and patron of the Lisa Harnum Foundation and the Bondi Beach cottage. In 2017 she started a law firm to help women leave abusive marriages. In 2022 Kay addressed the Select Committee on Coercive Control to NSW Parliament.

This free event is the first in a line-up of amazing Killer Crime Conversations hosted by Sisters in Crime in 2024. Grab a drink at the bar and join us later for nibbles or a meal if you wish. Raffles and door prizes available on the night.

RSVP: megan@newscoop.com.au