Sign In/Renew Loans

Sign in/
Renew Loans

All library branches will be closed for the Public Holiday on Monday 7th October

Loading Events

Sign in/
Renew Loans

Petronella McGovern – Author Talk – Stories behind the storyteller

Friday August 16, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Port Macquarie Library
32 Grant St
Port Macquarie, New South Wales 2444 Australia

Please join Leanne for a chat with psychological suspense author Petronella McGovern at our Port Macquarie Library on Friday 16th August at 10.30am.

Welcome back Petronella!

Petronella McGovern is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the bestselling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher and The Liars. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023. Petronella has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and tutors in creative writing. She grew up on a farm in central west New South Wales and now lives with her family in Sydney, on Gadigal Country. Among other adventures, she has worked on a summer camp in America and travelled in eastern Africa, which partly inspired The Last Trace, her fourth novel.

THE LAST TRACE

What if you’re scared you committed a crime but can’t remember? From the bestselling author of Six Minutes and The Liars comes an unputdownable thriller about the secrets we keep from each other – and ourselves.

Family. It means everything to Sheridan. She has missed having her brother around. At last, Lachy is back in Australia, and Sheridan can’t wait to spend the Easter holidays all together in the mountains with their kids.

But, on Good Friday, something devastating happens that rips their two families apart, and now she can’t imagine ever forgiving him. Lachy knows he’s not coping, but his sister doesn’t have the full story. And, terrifyingly, nor does he. There are some critical gaps in his memory. How is he connected to a missing woman, a hit-and-run, and a request for DNA? To untangle the truth, Lachy must decide who he can trust. His sister? His friends? Even himself?

The Last Trace is a gripping thriller about siblings and secrets, and the traces we can never erase.

Collins Booksellers will be joining us on the day with copies of Petronella’s book for sale.

Related Events

4 December 2024
Please join us for an informative and timely chat with author…

Wed Dec 4th
6:30 am – 7:30 am
Port Macquarie Library
Register

24 October 2024
Join us at Port library on October 24th at 6.30pm for…

Thu Oct 24th
7:30 am – 9:00 am
Port Macquarie Library
Register

8 November 2024
Travel through the stars in an awe-inspiring experience, discovering the Solar…

Fri Nov 8th
10:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Port Macquarie Library
Read More

19 October 2024
Join us at Port Macquarie Library on Saturday October 19, 12:30pm…

Sat Oct 19th
1:30 am – 3:30 am
Port Macquarie Library
Join Waitlist

Registrations are closed for this event.

Join our newsletter to find out what’s on @ the library



opened reg: 1
waiting list:
2022-12-22 02:20:00
Array
(
    [post_id] => 25329
    [form_id] => 1
    [title] => Petronella McGovern – Author Talk – Stories behind the storyteller
    [start_date] => 2024-08-16 00:30:00
    [end_date] => 2024-08-16 01:30:00
    [time_offset] => 0
    [venue_id] => 2911
    [venue_title] => Port Macquarie Library
    [venue_address] => 32 Grant St
    [venue_city] => Port Macquarie
    [venue_state] => New South Wales
    [venue_zip] => 2444
    [limit_registrations] => 1
    [max_registrations] => 35
    [max_waiting_list] => 10
    [num_waiting_list] => 0
    [mvt_enabled] => 
    [mvt_use_custom] => 
    [num_registered_mvt] => Array
        (
            [3181] => 0
        )

    [mvt_fields] => Array
        (
            [3181] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 3181
                    [type] => venue
                    [limit] => 
                    [max] => 55
                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                    [description] => 
                    [membership] => 
                    [time_available] => always
                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                    [time_start] => 0
                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                    [time_end] => 
                    [cost_structure] => discount
                    [discount_amount] => 
                    [discount_type] => percent
                    [cost_amount] => 
                    [cost_type] => total
                )

        )

    [mvt_user_fields] => Array
        (
            [3181] => Array
                (
                    [id] => 3181
                    [type] => venue
                    [limit] => 
                    [max] => 55
                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                    [description] => 
                    [membership] => 
                    [time_available] => always
                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                    [time_start] => 0
                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                    [time_end] => 
                    [cost_structure] => discount
                    [discount_amount] => 
                    [discount_type] => percent
                    [cost_amount] => 
                    [cost_type] => total
                )

        )

    [num_registered] => 27
    [registrations_left] => 8
    [canceled] => 
    [registrations_disabled] => 
    [deadline_type] => start
    [deadline_other_timestamp] => 1676370600
    [registration_deadline] => 1723804080
    [unregistration_deadline] => 1723804080
    [open_type] => immediate
    [open_offset] => 3
    [open_other_timestamp] => 1671636000
    [use_reminder] => 
    [conf_message_id] => 4309
    [reminder_offset_days] => 2
    [reminder_offset] => 172800
    [reminder_status] => unscheduled
    [show_registrants_data] => 
    [attendee_list_logged_in_only] => 
    [registrants_data_who] => any
    [registrants_data_include] => Array
        (
        )

    [who_can_register] => any
    [users_can_edit] => Array
        (
            [0] => form_fields
            [1] => mvt
            [2] => status
        )

    [cost] => 
    [enable_connected_reg] => 1
    [accepting_payments] => 
    [force_checkout] => 
    [check_in] => 
)
RTEC_Event Object
(
    [form:RTEC_Event:private] => RTEC_Form Object
        (
            [event_meta:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                    [post_id] => 25329
                    [form_id] => 1
                    [title] => Petronella McGovern – Author Talk – Stories behind the storyteller
                    [start_date] => 2024-08-16 00:30:00
                    [end_date] => 2024-08-16 01:30:00
                    [time_offset] => 0
                    [venue_id] => 2911
                    [venue_title] => Port Macquarie Library
                    [venue_address] => 32 Grant St
                    [venue_city] => Port Macquarie
                    [venue_state] => New South Wales
                    [venue_zip] => 2444
                    [limit_registrations] => 1
                    [max_registrations] => 35
                    [max_waiting_list] => 10
                    [num_waiting_list] => 0
                    [mvt_enabled] => 
                    [mvt_use_custom] => 
                    [num_registered_mvt] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => 0
                        )

                    [mvt_fields] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 3181
                                    [type] => venue
                                    [limit] => 
                                    [max] => 55
                                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                                    [description] => 
                                    [membership] => 
                                    [time_available] => always
                                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                                    [time_start] => 0
                                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                                    [time_end] => 
                                    [cost_structure] => discount
                                    [discount_amount] => 
                                    [discount_type] => percent
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [cost_type] => total
                                )

                        )

                    [mvt_user_fields] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 3181
                                    [type] => venue
                                    [limit] => 
                                    [max] => 55
                                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                                    [description] => 
                                    [membership] => 
                                    [time_available] => always
                                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                                    [time_start] => 0
                                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                                    [time_end] => 
                                    [cost_structure] => discount
                                    [discount_amount] => 
                                    [discount_type] => percent
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [cost_type] => total
                                )

                        )

                    [num_registered] => 27
                    [registrations_left] => 8
                    [canceled] => 
                    [registrations_disabled] => 
                    [deadline_type] => start
                    [deadline_other_timestamp] => 1676370600
                    [registration_deadline] => 1723804080
                    [unregistration_deadline] => 1723804080
                    [open_type] => immediate
                    [open_offset] => 3
                    [open_other_timestamp] => 1671636000
                    [use_reminder] => 
                    [conf_message_id] => 4309
                    [reminder_offset_days] => 2
                    [reminder_offset] => 172800
                    [reminder_status] => unscheduled
                    [show_registrants_data] => 
                    [attendee_list_logged_in_only] => 
                    [registrants_data_who] => any
                    [registrants_data_include] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [who_can_register] => any
                    [users_can_edit] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => form_fields
                            [1] => mvt
                            [2] => status
                        )

                    [cost] => 
                    [enable_connected_reg] => 1
                    [accepting_payments] => 
                    [force_checkout] => 
                    [check_in] => 
                )

            [user_obj:RTEC_Form:private] => 
            [event_form:RTEC_Form:private] => 1
            [form_field_attributes:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                    [first] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => rtec_first
                            [type] => text
                            [label] => Name*
                            [guest_label] => Name*
                            [default] => 
                            [error_message] => Please enter your full name
                            [placeholder] => 
                            [meta] => Array
                                (
                                    [options] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 1
                                                    [1] => Option 1
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                            [1] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 2
                                                    [1] => Option 2
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                            [2] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 3
                                                    [1] => Option 3
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                        )

                                    [handle_types] => both
                                    [link_url] => 
                                    [link_text] => 
                                    [cost_label] => 
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [html] => 
                                )

                            [html] => 
                            [valid_type] => length
                            [required] => 1
                            [data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [min] => 1
                                    [max] => no-max
                                )

                            [main_include] => 1
                            [guest_required] => 1
                            [guest_data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [guest_valid_type] => length
                            [guest_valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [min] => 1
                                    [max] => no-max
                                )

                            [guest_include] => 1
                            [no_duplicates] => 
                        )

                    [email] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => rtec_email
                            [type] => text
                            [label] => Email*
                            [guest_label] => Email*
                            [default] => 
                            [error_message] => Please enter a valid email
                            [placeholder] => 
                            [meta] => 
                            [html] => 
                            [valid_type] => email
                            [required] => 1
                            [data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [email] => true
                                )

                            [main_include] => 1
                            [guest_required] => 1
                            [guest_data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [guest_valid_type] => email
                            [guest_valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [email] => true
                                )

                            [guest_include] => 1
                            [no_duplicates] => 
                        )

                    [phone] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => rtec_phone
                            [type] => text
                            [label] => Phone*
                            [guest_label] => Phone*
                            [default] => 
                            [error_message] => Please enter your phone number
                            [placeholder] => 
                            [meta] => Array
                                (
                                    [options] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 1
                                                    [1] => Option 1
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                            [1] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 2
                                                    [1] => Option 2
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                            [2] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [0] => Option 3
                                                    [1] => Option 3
                                                    [2] => 
                                                    [3] => 0
                                                )

                                        )

                                    [handle_types] => both
                                    [link_url] => 
                                    [link_text] => 
                                    [cost_label] => 
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [html] => 
                                )

                            [html] => 
                            [valid_type] => count
                            [required] => 1
                            [data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [count] => 7,8,9,10,11,12
                                    [count_what] => numbers
                                )

                            [main_include] => 1
                            [guest_required] => 1
                            [guest_data_atts] => Array
                                (
                                    [aria-required] => true
                                    [aria-invalid] => false
                                )

                            [guest_valid_type] => count
                            [guest_valid_params] => Array
                                (
                                    [count] => 7,8,9,10,11,12
                                    [count_what] => numbers
                                )

                            [guest_include] => 1
                            [no_duplicates] => 
                        )

                )

            [custom_fields_label_name_pairs:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [custom_column_keys:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [column_keys:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                    [0] => first_name
                    [1] => email
                    [2] => phone
                )

            [field_labels:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Name
                    [1] => Email
                    [2] => Phone
                )

            [hidden_initially] => 
            [mvt_data] => 
            [use_mvt_in_form:RTEC_Form:private] => 
            [event_form_field_names:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => first
                    [1] => email
                    [2] => phone
                )

            [event_form_required_field_names:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => first
                    [1] => email
                    [2] => phone
                )

            [submission_data:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [errors:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [max_registrations:RTEC_Form:private] => 50
            [ical_url:RTEC_Form:private] => 
            [options:RTEC_Form:private] => Array
                (
                )

        )

    [user:RTEC_Event:private] => RTEC_User Object
        (
            [event_meta:RTEC_User:private] => Array
                (
                    [post_id] => 25329
                    [form_id] => 1
                    [title] => Petronella McGovern – Author Talk – Stories behind the storyteller
                    [start_date] => 2024-08-16 00:30:00
                    [end_date] => 2024-08-16 01:30:00
                    [time_offset] => 0
                    [venue_id] => 2911
                    [venue_title] => Port Macquarie Library
                    [venue_address] => 32 Grant St
                    [venue_city] => Port Macquarie
                    [venue_state] => New South Wales
                    [venue_zip] => 2444
                    [limit_registrations] => 1
                    [max_registrations] => 35
                    [max_waiting_list] => 10
                    [num_waiting_list] => 0
                    [mvt_enabled] => 
                    [mvt_use_custom] => 
                    [num_registered_mvt] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => 0
                        )

                    [mvt_fields] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 3181
                                    [type] => venue
                                    [limit] => 
                                    [max] => 55
                                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                                    [description] => 
                                    [membership] => 
                                    [time_available] => always
                                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                                    [time_start] => 0
                                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                                    [time_end] => 
                                    [cost_structure] => discount
                                    [discount_amount] => 
                                    [discount_type] => percent
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [cost_type] => total
                                )

                        )

                    [mvt_user_fields] => Array
                        (
                            [3181] => Array
                                (
                                    [id] => 3181
                                    [type] => venue
                                    [limit] => 
                                    [max] => 55
                                    [label] => South West Rocks Library
                                    [description] => 
                                    [membership] => 
                                    [time_available] => always
                                    [custom_start_type] => immediate
                                    [time_start] => 0
                                    [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                                    [time_end] => 
                                    [cost_structure] => discount
                                    [discount_amount] => 
                                    [discount_type] => percent
                                    [cost_amount] => 
                                    [cost_type] => total
                                )

                        )

                    [num_registered] => 27
                    [registrations_left] => 8
                    [canceled] => 
                    [registrations_disabled] => 
                    [deadline_type] => start
                    [deadline_other_timestamp] => 1676370600
                    [registration_deadline] => 1723804080
                    [unregistration_deadline] => 1723804080
                    [open_type] => immediate
                    [open_offset] => 3
                    [open_other_timestamp] => 1671636000
                    [use_reminder] => 
                    [conf_message_id] => 4309
                    [reminder_offset_days] => 2
                    [reminder_offset] => 172800
                    [reminder_status] => unscheduled
                    [show_registrants_data] => 
                    [attendee_list_logged_in_only] => 
                    [registrants_data_who] => any
                    [registrants_data_include] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [who_can_register] => any
                    [users_can_edit] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => form_fields
                            [1] => mvt
                            [2] => status
                        )

                    [cost] => 
                    [enable_connected_reg] => 1
                    [accepting_payments] => 
                    [force_checkout] => 
                    [check_in] => 
                )

            [user_data:RTEC_User:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [child_data:RTEC_User:private] => Array
                (
                )

            [event_status:RTEC_User:private] => unregistered
            [user_id:RTEC_User:private] => 0
            [entry_id:RTEC_User:private] => 0
        )

    [event_goer:RTEC_Event:private] => 
    [waiting_list] => RTEC_Waiting_List Object
        (
            [max_waiting_list:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 10
            [num_waiting_list:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 0
            [registration_limit_reached:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 
            [deadline_has_passed:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 1
            [event_id:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 25329
        )

    [waiting_lists_objs:RTEC_Event:private] => Array
        (
            [25329] => RTEC_Waiting_List Object
                (
                    [max_waiting_list:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 10
                    [num_waiting_list:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 0
                    [registration_limit_reached:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 
                    [deadline_has_passed:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 1
                    [event_id:RTEC_Waiting_List:private] => 25329
                )

        )

    [cached_main_html:RTEC_Event:private] => 
    [should_cache_main:RTEC_Event:private] => 
    [event_id:RTEC_Event:private] => 25329
    [connected_id:RTEC_Event:private] => 
    [event_meta:RTEC_Event:private] => Array
        (
            [post_id] => 25329
            [form_id] => 1
            [title] => Petronella McGovern – Author Talk – Stories behind the storyteller
            [start_date] => 2024-08-16 00:30:00
            [end_date] => 2024-08-16 01:30:00
            [time_offset] => 0
            [venue_id] => 2911
            [venue_title] => Port Macquarie Library
            [venue_address] => 32 Grant St
            [venue_city] => Port Macquarie
            [venue_state] => New South Wales
            [venue_zip] => 2444
            [limit_registrations] => 1
            [max_registrations] => 35
            [max_waiting_list] => 10
            [num_waiting_list] => 0
            [mvt_enabled] => 
            [mvt_use_custom] => 
            [num_registered_mvt] => Array
                (
                    [3181] => 0
                )

            [mvt_fields] => Array
                (
                    [3181] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 3181
                            [type] => venue
                            [limit] => 
                            [max] => 55
                            [label] => South West Rocks Library
                            [description] => 
                            [membership] => 
                            [time_available] => always
                            [custom_start_type] => immediate
                            [time_start] => 0
                            [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                            [time_end] => 
                            [cost_structure] => discount
                            [discount_amount] => 
                            [discount_type] => percent
                            [cost_amount] => 
                            [cost_type] => total
                        )

                )

            [mvt_user_fields] => Array
                (
                    [3181] => Array
                        (
                            [id] => 3181
                            [type] => venue
                            [limit] => 
                            [max] => 55
                            [label] => South West Rocks Library
                            [description] => 
                            [membership] => 
                            [time_available] => always
                            [custom_start_type] => immediate
                            [time_start] => 0
                            [custom_end_type] => eventdeadline
                            [time_end] => 
                            [cost_structure] => discount
                            [discount_amount] => 
                            [discount_type] => percent
                            [cost_amount] => 
                            [cost_type] => total
                        )

                )

            [num_registered] => 27
            [registrations_left] => 8
            [canceled] => 
            [registrations_disabled] => 
            [deadline_type] => start
            [deadline_other_timestamp] => 1676370600
            [registration_deadline] => 1723804080
            [unregistration_deadline] => 1723804080
            [open_type] => immediate
            [open_offset] => 3
            [open_other_timestamp] => 1671636000
            [use_reminder] => 
            [conf_message_id] => 4309
            [reminder_offset_days] => 2
            [reminder_offset] => 172800
            [reminder_status] => unscheduled
            [show_registrants_data] => 
            [attendee_list_logged_in_only] => 
            [registrants_data_who] => any
            [registrants_data_include] => Array
                (
                )

            [who_can_register] => any
            [users_can_edit] => Array
                (
                    [0] => form_fields
                    [1] => mvt
                    [2] => status
                )

            [cost] => 
            [enable_connected_reg] => 1
            [accepting_payments] => 
            [force_checkout] => 
            [check_in] => 
        )

    [atts:RTEC_Event:private] => Array
        (
        )

    [hidden_initially:RTEC_Event:private] => 1
    [rtec_classes:RTEC_Event:private] => Array
        (
        )

)