Dame Susan Devoy has written a memoir, Dame Suzy D: My Story, published by Allen and Unwin. Photo:
Dame Susan Devoy’s career has been nothing if not lane-changing. And as such, an inspiration for us all.
First, she dominated world squash for a decade, including winning four world titles. Then, she became a mother of four - four boys no less. Next? Five years of being both revered and reviled as Race Relations Commissioner, speaking truth to power. Following that, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, she trialled kiwi fruit packing in the Bay of Plenty, before yet another left turn - becoming a popular contestant on Celebrity Treasure Island.
Dame Susan Devoy has now added author to that list, with the publication of an engaging and refreshingly honest memoir, Dame Suzy D: My Story, published by Allen and Unwin.
The book reveals Devoy's down-to-earth and driven nature. Beyond her successes, it also explores the difficult times she has faced and fallibilities any reader could relate to.
On Saturday, October 17, Devoy is appearing in her hometown Tauranga as part of Escape Festival.
‘The little festival with big ideas celebrates thinkers and storytellers with literary talks, workshops, and performances across downtown Tauranga venues.
Dame Susan Devoy joins Culture 101 to share some of her cultural favourites.
Tauranga artist Linda Munn. Photo:
Her favourites include local artist Linda Munn, crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, and another regional book festival she recently attended The Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
Devoted is a portrait of Dame Susan Devoy completed by artist Tim Christie, which is on show at Kelburn Squash Club. Photo:
We also suspect her of having an affection for ‘Devoted’, a portrait of Devoy completed recently by artist Tim Christie for Pōneke squash club, Club Kelburn.
Devoted is a portrait of Dame Susan Devoy completed by artist Tim Christie, which is on show at Kelburn Squash Club. Photo:
Hand-assembled by members using over 1000 squash balls (many retrieved from inside the club’s ceiling), the work is based on the Fibonacci spiral.
It looks abstract and yet, viewed from a distance through an installed stringless mini squash racquet with a special lens, the balls turn into halftone dots, making up an iconic photographic image of Devoy playing squash.
Devoted is a portrait of Dame Susan Devoy completed by artist Tim Christie, which is on show at Kelburn Squash Club. Photo:
Dame Suzy D: My Story, published by Allen and Unwin, is out now.
