Members: The True Story of Errol Flynn, Author in Conversation

Join us for an evening with historian and author Patricia A. O'Brien, as she sits down with Australian Museum Director & CEO Kim McKay AO, to discuss her new book, Errol Flynn: The True Story of Australia's Hollywood Icon.

This biography is the first complete account of Flynn's life, from his unusual childhood in Tasmania, to his time in the brutal plantations of New Guinea, and his discovery by a talent agent. O'Brien also explores Flynn's infamous 1943 trial and his involvement in a suspected Hollywood trafficking operation.

Enjoy a drink on arrival before heading to the Theatre for this fascinating discussion of a controversial icon from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

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Patricia A. O’Brien is an historian and analyst specialising in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and the US. She is the author of several books, including Errol Flynn: The True Story of Australia's Hollywood Icon (2026); Tautai: Sāmoa, World History and the Life and Ta’isi O. F. Nelson (2017) and The Pacific Muse: Exotic Femininity and the Colonial Pacific (2006). Patricia has taught Australian and Pacific history at Georgetown University, Washington DC since 2000 and has held fellowships at the Library of Congress, Victoria University Wellington and Australian National University, where she is currently an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Pacific Affairs. She writes regularly for The Conversation and The Diplomat and has appeared regularly in international media as a commentator on Australian and Pacific issues.

Kim McKay’s career has focused on public advocacy and community engagement around the natural environment and science both in Australia and internationally.

In her role as Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, Kim is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the nation’s first museum, including a collection of over 22 million natural science specimens and cultural objects.

Since being appointed to the Director’s role eleven years ago in 2014 (the first woman in the AM’s 190+ year history), Kim has initiated a broad transformation program including overseeing Project Discover, the AM’s $57.5m award-winning renovation of public spaces revitalising the AM’s public outreach.

Kim was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2008 for distinguished service to the environment and the community.