Winter Series Lecture: Adrian Dickens and Susannah Fullerton

Presentation: Fruit 'n' Veg Inspired Jewellery

Speaker: Adrian Dickens

Adrian Dickens is a personal jeweller with 40 years’ experience in modern and bespoke, estate, vintage and antique jewellery. British-born, he trained in England before moving to Australia in 1988.

In 2012, Adrian founded his own business ‘Circa A.D. Jewels’

Adrian travels throughout Australia and internationally, sharing his passion and extensive knowledge about the world’s finest jewels to audiences. 

In this presentation, we’ll hear about the American horticulturalist, philanthropist and heiress Rachel Mellon who was an avid jewellery collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations from Tiffany & Co. which embody the love of nature that she shared with the famed designer.

Presentation: Vita Sackville-West: Poet, Novelist and Creator of Sissinghurst

Speaker: Susannah Fullerton OAM, FRSN

Susannah’s life is as eclectic as Vita Sackville-West’s garden. Born in Canada, Susannah grew up in New Zealand, met her South African husband, Ian, in Edinburgh, and then put down her own roots in Australia. 

As one of Australia’s most sought-after literary tour leaders, Susannah is well acquainted with the beauty and legacy of Sissinghurst Castle’s world-famous gardens. Like Vita, Susannah has a gift for weaving art, history, and storytelling into something utterly magical. She is also an authority on 19th and 20th-century literature and shares a deep connection with the writers who’ve left their mark on English heritage—none more so than Vita Sackville-West herself.

Susannah is the patron of several literary societies and has spent years bringing great writers and their lives to light, with her talks captivating audiences around the globe.

Susanah will take us on a journey to Sissinghurst, where Vita transformed her family estate into a living masterpiece. It’s a tale of vision, creativity, and a passion for beauty.

Time / Date: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday, 4th July 2025