Dog Eared Readings in the Hills 2026

The stage is set for another captivating evening of literary exploration as Dog‑Eared Readings returns to the Adelaide Hills on Thursday, 26 February 2026. This year’s gathering will take place at the beautiful Summit Community Centre in Norton Summit, offering one of the most stunning outlooks over Adelaide—a perfect backdrop for an evening dedicated to words, ideas, and creative exchange.

Renowned for their innovative approach to literary engagement, Dog‑Eared Readings continue to reshape Adelaide’s literary landscape with their commitment to delivering an evening of high‑calibre readings and discussion.

We are delighted to welcome Rebekah Clarkson, award‑winning Australian author, who will be in conversation with Pip Williams. The program also features Eva Hornung, reading from her hot‑off‑the‑press new novel, and Thom Sullivan, the evening’s poet, whose work will further enhance the literary experience for all who attend.

About the Authors

Rebekah Clarkson’s stories have been recognised in major awards in Australia and overseas, including the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, Fish Publishing Short Story Prize, and the Bath Flash Fiction Award. Her work has appeared in publications including Griffith Review, Best Australian Stories and Something Special, Something Rare: Outstanding Short Stories by Australian Women (Black Inc.). She is the author of Barking Dogs (Affirm Press), a critically acclaimed short story cycle set on Peramangk land, South Australia, and co-editor of This is What it Feels Like, published in 2025 by Recent Work Press.

Pip Williams’s first publication was a poem in Dolly magazine when she was fifteen. She is co-author of the book Time Bomb: Work Rest and Play in Australia Today and in 2017 she published One Italian Summer, a memoir of her family’s travels in search of the good life. In 2020, Pip published The Dictionary of Lost Words which was the bestselling debut novel in 2020 and the winner of several industry and literary awards. It has been adapted for stage, has been optioned for screen and will be turned into a book concerto. Her second novel, The Bookbinder of Jericho, was published early this year and was an instant bestseller. Both novels have been published in multiple territories and translated into many languages.

Eva Hornung is a writer of literary fiction and non fiction.  Eva’s novels have won, or been short-listed for, many awards including the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the South Australian Premier’s Prize for Literature, the Australian/Vogel Literary Award, the Nita May Dobbie Award, the Asher Literary Award, the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year, Stora Ljudbokspriset (Sweden), the ALS Gold Medal, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, the Steel Rudd Literary Award,  the Commonwealth Writers Prize (SE Asia and Pacific), the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction and the Miles Franklin Award. Eva Hornung’s new book THE MINSTRELS is due for publication by Text Publishing in early 2026. Eva Hornung lives and writes in rural South Australia.

Thom Sullivan is a writer, editor, and reviewer of poetry. He grew up in Wistow/Bugle Ranges in the Adelaide Hills. His book of poems, Carte Blanche (Vagabond Press), won the 2017-18 Noel Rowe Poetry Award and the 2020 Mary Gilmore Award, for the best first book of poems published in Australia in 2019. His poems have appeared in a range of books and journals, including Australian Book Review, Australian Poetry Anthology, Living Systems: Poetry from Asia Pacific, and the Best of Australian Poems series.

Community Centre Contact Details

The Summit Community Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed on Fridays and public holidays). For any enquiries, please contact us on 8390 0457 or email thesummit@ahc.sa.gov.au during opening times.

Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings

When an 'Extreme 75+' or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is declared for the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Adelaide Hills Council Community Centre's will be closed, and all classes and programs will be cancelled without notice. Any monies paid will either be reimbursed or the course will be rescheduled for a later date.

Current fire danger ratings can be checked here: http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml

FAQ

Where can I park?

Parking is limited at The Summit Community Centre, carpool where possible. An upper carpark and a smaller lower carpark (with one disabled parking space) are available. There is a loading zone for drop offs and unloading a vehicle (refer to map below).

If the event is at night, what do I need to know?

We are in the Adelaide Hills and always encourage a torch or phone with a light in case you can't see. Clothing for cooler weather and an umbrella in winter would be encouraged.

Are there other places I can park?

Yes, along Crescent Drive up to the Norton Summit Primary School. Parking is also located behind Norton Summit CFS. Please take care crossing this road to the community centre. Limited parking is available at The Scenic Hotel (refer to map below).

What facilities are on site?

Toilets (including disabled), baby change table, wide double door entrance into centre, function room, large foyer and patio area, small meeting room and fully equipped kitchen with commercial dishwasher.

Is there disabled access?

Yes, the disabled car park is located in the lower carpark (to the right of the community centre as you drive in). There is an access ramp that leads from the carpark to the entrance of the building.  There is a disabled toilet onsite and our reception desk is at an accessible height for wheelchair users.

Is the community centre inclusive?

Yes, everyone is welcome.  Our centre is LGBTQI+ friendly, dementia friendly and breastfeeding is welcome.

Can I warm a baby bottle, heat my meal up or make a coffee/tea/hot chocolate?

Yes, there is a kettle, microwave and fridge. Water and hot drinks are available.