Judy King

Judy King is a survivor, and so much more. Born into a dysfunctional family in Sydney’s leafy North Shore, she grew up in a post-war era, where etiquette and social mores were all-important, and what went on behind closed doors was nobody’s business.

But there were plenty of people who had an inkling, and along the way of Judy’s traumatic suffering at the hands of her mother, father and extended clan, there are moments of such kindness so as to sustain her innocent spirit.

The repression of things too hard to bear causes internal scars and Judy (or rather ‘Agnes’) loses the ability to think clearly, and even to read while attending Loreto Kirribilli school for girls. Despite this, or maybe because of, she developed a great love of the arts, which was a form of escape. Whatever she turned her attention to, whether acting, dancing, or in later life, sculpting, Judy excelled.

Agnes – A childhood betrayed and reclaimed, is Judy’s story. It is the story of a young girl who overcomes shocking emotional and sexual abuse and reclaims her childhood after a lifetime of soul-searching and therapy. She retraces the footsteps of her youth, taking in myriad Sydney landmarks from Roseville Baths, to Martin Place, from Chatswood to Coogee to Maroubra, from Newtown’s White Horse Pub, to Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, as well as iconic cultural reference points – David Jones, the Ensemble Theatre, the Australian Women’s Weekly, just to name a few.

Now in her 80s and living in Mallorca, Judy’s great hope is that her story helps lift the lid on child abuse, so others find the words and the courage to face their trauma and nobody ever turns a blind eye.

Listen to a sample chapter on Audible

Watch Debbie Lee of Girrinderra Press speak about Agnes on ARTV Channel 31 Community Television

About Judy King

Judy King made her mark renovating homes in Sydney’s Paddington when the working-class suburb was on the cusp of gentrification. She has lived in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the UK and for many years now, Mallorca, Spain, where she has carved out a reputation as a successful sculptor. Agnes – A childhood betrayed and reclaimed charts the trials and tribulations of her traumatic early years.

• Read about Judy King on news.com.au
• Visit Judy King’s website
• Watch Judy King’s interview with publicist, Nicole Webb

10 October, Berkelouw Paddington. Judy (centre) at the launch of Agnes, with nuns from St Joseph’s convent, formerly ‘St Anthony’s Home for Unwed Girl Mothers’ in Croydon.

‘Sister Wilfred, at the then, St Anthony’s Home for Unwed Girl Mothers gently led me to sign the adoption papers.
Given that, I had had the baby in secrecy, and I was an extremely disturbed eighteen years old, with learning difficulties, a mother obsession, no money, and nobody to call on for help, there was no alternative solution. Sister Wilfred was the first person in my whole life to defend me, which is why, unlike other girls there with loving families, I wanted to stay at St Anthony’s with her.  Both she and Nola, were the first intelligent, thinking people I’d come into contact with. My greatest disadvantage throughout childhood was being constantly abused and alone – devoid of guidance or help.’

- Judy King

Agnes – A childhood betrayed and reclaimed by Judy King

9781761096976 | October 2024 | $34.99

Retail & Library orders: [email protected]

A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Blue Knot Foundation, supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma.

Upcoming Media (November/December/January)

• Daily Telegraph Weekend Magazine – 30 November
• Mamamia News – December
• A slew of podcasts including:
  – Make Life Less Difficult – Lisa Tilstra
  – Power of Women – Di Gillett
  – Living Arts Canberra – Barbie Robinson