Great Australian Drinking Stories

The son of British migrants, Jim attended Sydney Boys’ High and Sydney Teachers’ College, taught in schools and universities in NSW and Britain, has two masters’ degrees in literature, from New England University and the University of Wales in the UK, and is the author of 33 books. Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia, made the top 10 best seller list for history/non-fiction. Jim currently presents three Australian history segments a week on Sydney Radio Station 2GB. A professional entertainer since 1988, he has written many songs, recorded for Festival, Sony, EMI and ABC, had a national hit with ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’ and is the Australiana expert on 2GB. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Honour's List in 2016, 'for service to the performing arts as an entertainer, author, broadcaster and historian'.

Lucy Bell is an award winning stage and screen actor and an accomplished voice artist. She began her career in 1981, appearing in A Town Like Alice. She has since appeared several films and television series, including All Saints and Dirt Game. Lucy has previously narrated Emily Rodda’s Fairy Realm series and The Quicksand Pony by Allison Lester.

John Derum has been acting, writing and directing for theatre and television since his teenage years. He has performed More Than a Sentimental Bloke, his tribute to C.J. Dennis, more than 500 times around Australia. He has recorded the audiobooks of the Joseph Furphy classic novels, Such Is Life, Rigby’s Romance and The Buln-Buln and the Brolga. In 2019, John was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contribution to the performing arts and the community.