JASA
The Jane Austen Society of Australia Inc.
2026 Christmas Luncheon & Jane Austen’s Birthday
JASA is delighted to invite members and their guests to our 2026 Christmas Luncheon.
Date & Time
Saturday, 28 November 2026. Please arrive from 11.30am for 12.00pm start.
Location
Club York, 95-99 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Cost
$85 pp for members, $95 pp non-members (plus drinks at own cost)
Book launch by Larissa Behrendt:
Still Speaking of Jane Austen, by Susannah Fullerton and Ruth Wilson
In 1943 two English novelists wrote a tribute to their favourite writer called Talking of Jane Austen. It proved popular and was published in the USA as Speaking of Jane Austen. It was a book that broke new ground and is a delightful ‘chat’ between two good friends about Jane Austen’s genius.
In 2026 two friends again got together to ‘talk Jane’ and the result is their new book, which will be launched at our JASA Christmas Lunch. Still Speaking of Jane Austen is by JASA President Susannah Fullerton and JASA Patron Dr Ruth Wilson, with a Foreword by Dr Devoney Looser.
Esteemed scholar and novelist Dr Larissa Behrendt will launch the book, and copies will be available for purchase on the day. Both authors are happy to sign copies.
Bookings
You can book online, print and post a form, or by phone. Payment options are card, EFT, cash or cheque. You can book online and pay via EFT. Your booking is not recorded until JASA’s treasurer receives your payment. Bookings close on 19 November 2026 unless sold out prior.
Online
Please complete and submit the online form. Please look out for an email reply acknowledging that your booking has been lodged.
Print and Post
Please download, print, complete, and post a booking form with your payment to the Treasurer. You may also need to print the Dietary Requirements and Seating Allocation form.
Payment
Payment can be made by card using the online form, direct deposit, cheque, or cash at a meeting. It is essential that all payments include your name as a reference so we can match it with your registration form. Your booking is not recorded until payment is received.
Direct deposit
Account name: Jane Austen Society of Australia Inc.
Bank: St George Bank Ltd BSB: 112-879
Account number: 156156319
Cheque
Mail to Elizabeth Budge, JASA Treasurer, 21 Galston Crescent, Leura NSW 2780
Cash
Pay using cash at our Sydney meeting.
Seating
Seating is pre-allocated at tables. You will be placed at a table automatically unless you tell us otherwise. Please use the online booking system or print and post this form. Each table has a maximum of 8, and groups smaller than 8 may share a table with others.
PLEASE NOTE: Elizabeth is not responsible for seating allocation or passing on seating requests.
Please use this form to request help or more information.
The book that inspired Still Speaking about Jane Austen
Speaking of Jane Austen by novelists Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern is an affectionate and highly personal exploration of Jane Austen’s six novels. Rather than offering formal literary criticism, the two authors write as devoted readers, discussing the characters, scenes and details that have delighted or intrigued them. Their subjects range widely, from Austen’s heroines and heroes to country life, clergymen, letter-writing, clothes, food and romantic pairings.
Part of the book’s charm lies in the differing personalities and opinions of its two authors. Their writing is witty, intelligent and deeply affectionate, capturing the pleasure of returning to Austen’s novels again and again and always discovering something new.
Claire at The Captive Reader describes it as a joyful and engaging celebration of both Austen’s genius and the lifelong relationship readers can develop with her work. Read the full review at The Captive Reader.