Sydney's Bohemian Bee Miles

Discover the fascinating life of Bee Miles, a larger-than-life character who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her spectacular acts of defiance.

Rose Ellis’ Bee Miles is the first full biography of the famous bohemian rebel. It details Bee’s journey from wealthy girlhood to moving in Sydney’s literary and artistic circles to sleeping rough on the city’s streets. 

Rose is joined by Commonwealth Prize–winning author Kate Grenville, whose masterly debut novel, Lillian’s Story, was a bold and exuberant reimagining of Bee’s dramatic history.

Learn more about this fearless and uncompromising woman, whose legend still enthralls audiences today. With host Caroline Baum.


Rose Ellis is a writer, editor and researcher based in Sydney.

Kate Grenville is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers. Her international bestseller, The Secret River, was awarded local and overseas prizes, has been adapted for the stage and as an acclaimed television miniseries and is now a much-loved classic. Kate’s other novels include Sarah Thornhill, The Lieutenant, Dark Places and the Orange Prize–winner The Idea of Perfection. Her most recent books are two works of non-fiction, One Life: My Mother’s Story and The Case Against Fragrance. She has also written three books about the writing process. In 2017, Grenville was awarded the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature.

Caroline Baum is the author of Only: A Singular Memoir about being an only child, published in 2017. Her life-writing has also appeared in several anthologies including My Mother, My Father: On Losing a Parent and Rebellious Daughters. Life Sentences, her podcast about the practice of contemporary biography, is available on all major platforms. Caroline is the winner of the 2015 Hazel Rowley Award and her journalism has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review, and The Guardian. Caroline is the Ambassador for the Older Women’s Network in NSW.

This event is presented in partnership with Sydney Writers’ Festival.