Peter Goldsworthy has won major literary awards across a range of genres: poetry, short story, the novel, in opera, and most recently in theatre. He came to Mosman Library on 17 March to talk about 'Gravel', his new collection of short stories.

Peter Goldsworthy grew up in various Australian country towns, finishing his schooling in Darwin. Since graduating in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1974, he has divided his working time equally between medicine and writing.

His novels have been translated into many European and Asian languages; his most recent, 'Three Dog Night', won the faw Christina Stead Award. He wrote the libretti for the Richard Mills operas 'Summers of the Seventeenth Doll' and 'Batavia', the latter winning Mills and Goldsworthy the 2002 Robert Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work, and a Green Room Award for Special Creative Achievement. 'Three Dog Night' and 'Honk If You Are Jesus' have been adapted for the stage, the latter winning the 2006 Advertiser Oscart Award for Best Play, and the 2006 Ruby Award for Best New Work. Five of his novels are currently in development as movies, and two more for the stage.