Workshop

Menopause is Not a Use-By Date

MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, 10:30am

Greater Hamilton Library and Public Libraries Victoria present: Menopause is Not a Use-By Date

Join Melbourne writers Trish Bolton and Rachel Matthews, alongside an incredible crew of women authors, will host lively discussions and writing explorations that push back against dated stereotypes and celebrate the older woman!

Menopause, once whispered about in secret, is now breaking into the mainstream. From comedy acts to musicals, it’s taking centre stage. But what does it say about society’s evolving attitudes toward menopause? More importantly, how are these extra decades being lived? Spoiler alert: they’re not spent in nursing homes, lamenting lost youth.

It’s time we rethink the outdated notion that women are shelved once they’ve fulfilled their biological duties. Today, we’re seeing more novels that embrace life, love, and sexuality in later years, proving that aging isn’t about fading away—it’s about soaring.

Panel Members

Trish Bolton

Trish Bolton’s debut Whenever You’re Ready was praised as ‘staggeringly ambitious” by Australian Women’s Weekly. A former media adviser and women’s health advocate, she’s been featured in major Australian publications and on ABC radio.

Dr Rachel Matthews

Melbourne author and lecturer Dr Rachel Matthews’ debut, Vinyl Inside, earned a Vogel Awards commendation, and her 2023 novel Never Look Desperate was named one of the year’s best by The Australian and The Guardian. She’s a frequent voice on ABC radio and a sought-after speaker at festivals.

Louise Le Nay

Louise Le Nay studied dramatic art at NIDA and has worked as an actor in films, TV and theatre, and as a TV writer and script editor.
She has also taught professional writing and editing at various tertiary institutions. She lives with her husband in Western Victoria.
Le Nay's first novel, The Hero, was published in 1996 by Allen & Unwin. She later moved into writing for television, writing scripts for the popular series Neighbours, she also worked as a script editor on Blue Heelers and MDA.
Lousie Le Nay launched her new novel "Edenhope" at the Greater Hamilton Library this year. Predominately written from the comfort of the Hamilton Library, this great story is now a published work.

Please Note: This event is held at the Hamilton Cinema - 109 Brown St, Hamilton

Tickets - Free

• $0.00
• 8 September 2025
• 120 minutes
• 10:30
• Hamilton Cinema
• Hamilton Cinema
• Suitable 18+