Fascinating stories to be shared by ballerina and author Mary Li

Starting at 6.30pm, the session will be free for service members.

Mary's Last Dance is he highly anticipated memoir and follow-up to Li Cunxin's bestseller, Mao's Last Dancer.

It is a powerful and uplifting story about chasing an impossible dream and sacrificing one's own ambition for the love of a child.

It is a moving and unforgettable tale of passion, dedication and devotion.

Mary Li [nee McKendry] became a household name when her husband Li Cunxin published his memoir, Mao's Last Dancer. But that book only told half of the story.

Mary was raised in Rockhampton, Queensland, the third of eight children.

She was introduced to ballet by her teacher Valeria Hansen and at 16 she was accepted into the Royal Ballet School, London.

Mary joined the London Festival Ballet in 1977 and was promoted to principal dancer in 1981.

In 1985 she joined the Houston Ballet as principal dancer.

Throughout her dancing career, Mary performed lead roles in all major classical ballets, including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. She also featured in many contemporary works.

Her dancing saw her work with numerous legendary teachers, choreographers, artistic directors and fellow dancers, including Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and Ben Stevenson.

Mary married fellow principal dancer Li Cunxin in 1987 and together they have danced all over the world.

They returned to Australia in 1995. Mary worked with the Australian Ballet as a coach, while raising the couple's children, Sophie, Tom and Bridie.

For the past decade she has served as ballet mistress for Queensland Ballet, where her husband works as artistic director.

Numbers for the online "in conversation" presentation are limited, so booking is essential.

To secure your spot, visit tinyurl.com/y3mydtaq.

This presentation will be broadcast online using Zoom. A link to join the meeting will be sent once the booking is confirmed.

For more details call 4560 4460.