storyfest.com.au
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somersetstoryfest
#storyfestsouthwest
#storyfestgc #ourgoldcoast
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OUR BOARD
I’m thrilled to present the programme for Storyfest South West, and the first instalment of our Regional Tour 2024!
Following the success of Storyfest Out West in Longreach for the last two years, we’ve committed to deliver more Children’s Writers’ Festivals in regional Queensland. This year’s regional tour will see us host festivals in St George, Longreach and Emerald across 3 weeks.
We’re extremely grateful for the members of the St George community who have rallied to help us pull this festival together. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do this. A special thanks must go to Melanie Mills from the Balonne Shire Library, her passion for children’s literacy and her community is outstanding.
This programme has been developed in consultation with members of your community and we hope there is something for everyone to enjoy. I actively encourage you to embrace this festival, attend with your children and take the opportunity to interact with some of Australia’s most accomplished children’s authors.
We invite you to join us for the Prologue Party to celebrate the beginning of the festival, and what we hope is the start of a long partnership with St George.
Ms Andrea Lewis CEO/ Festival Director
Chairperson Airlie Maclachlan
Directors Alex Woodthorpe, Michael Arnold, Craig Bassingthwaighte, Megan Daley, Caroline Graham, Terry Herbert and Sara Kirby
Chief Financial Officer Kylie Sherrington
OUR STAFF
CEO/ Festival Director Andrea Lewis
Marketing Co-ordinator Tayla Haynes
Event Co-ordinator Gabriella Lennon
Festival Administrator Emma Monaghan
acknowledgement of country
Somerset Storyfest acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognised the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. The six main Indigenous Peoples in the Shire are: Bigambul People, Gamilaraay People, Gunggari People, Kooma People, Mandandanji People, Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi People.
Festival Patron Jacqueline Harvey
meet the authors
Literary Lunch Tuesday 27 at 11.30am
Stories that shape our world Tuesday 27 at 5.30pm
Nicole is the bestselling author of eleven historical fiction novels and her novels, poetry, travel, creative writing and genealogy articles have been published internationally. She is a past judge of the Colleen McCullough Residency Award for historical fiction, and the ARA Historical Novel Prize. Nicole’s debut novel The Bark Cutters was shortlisted for an Australian Book Industry Award and she has a Master of Letters in creative writing.
www.nicolealexander.com.au
Session SW121 Monday 26 at 1.45pm
Session SW222 Tuesday 27 at 10.45am
Workshop Tuesday 27 at 12.45pm
Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 27 at 5.00pm
Session SW322 Wednesday 28 at 10.45am
Nat Amoore is a Sydney-based writer and kidlit podcast host whose debut novel Secrets Of A Schoolyard Millionaire came out in 2019. It had great success as both Dymocks and QBD’s ‘Kids Book Of The Month’, becoming Australia’s #1 bestselling debut Aussie children’s fiction in 2019 and has now sold into the UK, US, Italy, China, Estonia and Romania. The brand-new junior fiction series Showerland launched in Feb this year, with Book 1: Break The Curse being announced as Dymocks ‘Kids Book of the Month’. The first three books in the series are all coming out in 2024, plus her very first picture book on the way.
www.natamoore.com
Photo by Cheryl Rogers
charlotte barkla
Session SW112 Monday 26 at 12.30pm
Workshop Tuesday 27 at 9.45am
Session SW241 Tuesday 27 at 1.45pm
Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 27 at 5.00pm
Session SW321 Wednesday 28 at 10.45am
Charlotte Barkla is a Brisbane-based writer who worked as a civil engineer and physics teacher before rediscovering her love for children’s literature. She now writes picture books, middlegrade fiction and feature articles. Charlotte’s books include All Bodies are Good Bodies , the Edie’s Experiments series and From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes. Charlotte’s books have been translated in multiple languages and short-listed for awards.
www.charlottebarkla.com
caroline graham
Session SW113 Monday 26 at 12.30pm
Session SW213 Tuesday 27 at 9.30am
Workshop Tuesday 27 at 12.45pm
Stories that shape our world Tuesday 27 at 5.30pm
Dr Caroline Graham is an award-winning investigative journalist who specialises in narrative non-fiction storytelling across both traditional and new media formats, including podcasting, data-driven reporting and longform creative nonfiction. Caroline is the co-author of the Australian bestseller Larrimah (Allen & Unwin, 2021), which was shortlisted for an Indie Book Award, Ned Kelly Award and two Davitt Awards and has been optioned by NBC Universal and Matchbox Pictures for potential development into a scripted TV series. Caroline is also the co-author and co-producer of the investigative true crime podcast series Lost in Larrimah (The Australian, 2018), which won a Walkley Award, an NT Media Award and was a finalist in the Quills Awards and the Australian Podcasting Awards.
www.carograham.com
megan daley
Workshop Monday 26 at 12.45pm
Workshop Monday 26 at 1.15pm
The art and science of reading Tuesday 27 at 9.30am
Stories that shape our world Tuesday 27 at 5.30pm
Session SW311 Wednesday 28 at 9.30am
Megan Daley is a Teacher Librarian and has been awarded the Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year and the Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year, as well as the national Dromkeen Librarian’s Award. Megan is the author of the bestselling book Raising Readers as well as Teacher, Teacher and The Beehive A former national vice-president of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Megan is also a regular literary judge, curator of 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival Word Play program, a workshop presenter, the creator of the popular website Children’s Books Daily and co-creator of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast.
www.childrensbooksdaily.com
jacqueline harvey
Session SW111 Monday 26 at 12.30pm
Session SW212 Tuesday 27 at 9.30am
Literary Lunch Tuesday 27 at 11.30am
Stories that shape our world Tuesday 27 at 5.30pm
Workshop Wednesday 28 at 9.45am
Jacqueline Harvey is one of Australia’s most popular authors for children with a reputation for creating books that are filled with adventure, mystery, humour and heart. She has written over 60 titles including the bestselling Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof series. Her picture book, The Sound of the Sea was a CBCA Honour Book in 2006. She has recently released several new picture books including a series about Kevin the Sheep, The Daring Tale of Glora the Great and That Cat, all illustrated by one of her former students, Kate Isobel Scott. Jacqueline has narrated over twenty five audio books and her Alice-Miranda series has been made into two animated feature films now available on STAN and Amazon Prime.
www.jacquelineharvey.com.au
will kostakis
Workshop Monday 26 at 12.45pm
Session SW223 Tuesday 27 at 10.45am
Session SW243 Tuesday 27 at 1.45pm
Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 27 at 5.00pm
Session SW323 Wednesday 28 at 10.45am
Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults. His first novel, Loathing Lola, was published when he was just nineteen. It sold a whopping ten copies including the seven he bought himself. After a brief break to dabble in celebrity journalism and reconstruct his shattered dream, he returned with The First Third, which sold more than ten copies (possibly fifteen). It won the 2014 Gold Inky Award and was shortlisted for the CBCA and the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, among others. He was awarded the 2020 Maurice Saxby Award by the School Library Association of New South Wales for service to children’s and young adult literature and is an ambassador for the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.
www.willkostakis.com
belinda murrell
Session SW122 Monday 26 at 1.45pm
Session SW221 Tuesday 27 at 10.45am
Session SW242 Tuesday 27 at 1.45pm
Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 27 at 5.00pm
Workshop Wednesday 28 at 9.45am
Belinda Murrell is an award-winning, internationally published author who has written more than 35 books ranging from junior fiction to adult nonfiction. Belinda’s books include her popular series The Daredevil Princess, The Sun Sword, Lulu Bell and Pippa’s Island, and historical novels The Ivory Rose, The Locket of Dreams, and The Forgotten Pearl. Her books include magical time-slip novels The Golden Tower and The Silver Sea filled with flying horses, talking cats, mischievous creatures, danger, and evil plots. Belinda’s books have been shortlisted nine times for the Young Australians Best Book Award, and highly commended in the PM’s Literary Awards.
www.belindamurrell.com.au
joel mckerrow
Session SW123 Monday 26 at 1.45pm
Session SW233 Tuesday 27 at 12.30pm
Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 27 at 5.00pm
Session SW312 Wednesday 28 at 9.30am
Joel McKerrow is an award winning writer, keynote speaker, creativity specialist, educator and one of Australia’s most successful, internationally-touring, performance poets. After fifteen years full-time poetry-work, seven spoken word albums and six poetry books, it was with great pleasure that this year at Somerset Storyfest Joel launched his first ever fiction work Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe. A junior-fiction/ graphic novel, published by Larrikin House, which combines his love of poetry with a spooky, hilarious, actionpacked, illustrated adventure. Students coming to his sessions will experience fantastic performance poetry, gripping story-telling, a whole-lot-of-laughs and they will be inspired to see their writing (be it poetry or story) in a whole new way.
www.joelmckerrow.com
festivalinfo
BOOKING INFORMATION
Tickets are $10.00 (GST inclusive) per person per session. For adult sessions, workshops and catered functions, please refer to individual event information. Bookings can only be processed on receipt of full payment. Bookings may be made online with credit card payment. There are no refunds or exchanges once bookings are processed. All tickets are issued as e-tickets and will be sent to your designated email address.
PURCHASING YOUR TICKETS
Tickets will be on sale from Wednesday 22 May 2024. You may book online anytime. Many sessions have limited numbers, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
SCHOOL BOOKINGS AND RESERVATION POLICY
Schools can reserve their tickets via our online reservation form. Once the form is completed, tickets will be placed on hold for 14 days. Payment must be made via direct deposit or credit card within that 14 days. All payments must be finalised at least seven days prior to the Festival.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY PERMISSIONS
Storyfest will have a photographer and videographer on-site to record events throughout the Festival. These photos are for archival and marketing purposes and purchase of a ticket implies permission to use the photos taken for these purposes.
FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP
The Festival Bookshop stocks an extensive range of books by all the authors and illustrators attending Storyfest South West and is open between 8.00am and 3.00pm and will be open for the Prologue Party. At the end of each of their sessions, authors are available for book signings!
FOOD AND DRINK
The Hardback Café operates throughout the Festival and will be open from 8.00am to 2.30pm.
SUPERVISION POLICY
Any child 14 years or younger must be accompanied by a supervising parent/ guardian or teacher while on campus at all times during Storyfest South West.
FESTIVAL LOCATION
The Festival is located at the Balonne Shire Council Cultural Centre.
BAGS
There is no cloakroom facility at Storyfest South West. We encourage students to bring a small carry bag, as some venues have limited access for school bags. We advise students to leave valuables at home. All lost property can be collected from the festival Bookshop.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Phone: 07 5559 7377 Email: bookings@storyfest.com.au
workshops for students
for students
12.45pm to 2.15pm
POCKET-SIZED
12.45pm to 2.15pm
- COMIC BOOK
See page 15 for full details
9.45am
prologue party.
monday 26 august
4.30pm to 7.00pm
Balonne Shire Council Cultural Centre
Come along to the opening night of Storyfest South West. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and writing! The Prologue Party is a great opportunity to meet some of Australia’s best authors and illustrators.
Enjoy all the fun of the fair with games and activities. The festival bookshop will be open during this event, it is a great opportunity for adults and children to browse the bookshelf and find that perfect book.
Stage activated from 4.30pm to 7.00pm - details announced soon
Variety of dinner and beverage options available for purchase.
young writers dinner
tuesday 27 august
5.00PM TO 8.00PM ANCHORAGE HOMESTEAD
The Young Writers’ Dinner provides young people with a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ – to spend an exciting evening workshopping with some of Australia’s bestselling kids and YA fiction writers. The dinner is open to the wider community suitable for ages 10+. So don’t miss the amazing, fun-filled experience of spending an evening with one of this year’s featured authors - Nat Amoore , Charlotte Barkla , Will Kostakis , Joel McKerrow and Belinda Murrell
For students aged 10+
Venue Anchorage Homestead
Tickets $50 per person includes dinner and soft drink. Tickets are strictly limited!
student
workshops
monday 26 august
what’s the buzz about bees?
SWW11 Join author, educator and beekeeper Megan Daley for a nature based storytime, with a particular focus on bees! We’re going to learn what the buzz is about bees, and why we need to create bee friendly habitats for Australia’s favourite pollinators! Megan will share some information about Australian native bees, before reading her picture book, ‘The Beehive’. Then we’re going to bee crafty! This session is best suited to young people 5 - 12 years and their bee-loving adults.
For students aged 5+ $10
12.45pm to 1.15pm and 1.45pm to 2.15pm
bring out your best
SWW12 Award-winning author, Will Kostakis will guide teens through the process of crafting short stories – from ideas generation to writing and editing. Will mixes practical writing exercises with frank advice to help young writers bring out their best.
For students aged 12+ $30
12.45pm to 2.15pm
tuesday 27 august
start your story
SWW21 Learn how to plot a story, from generating story ideas and developing believable characters, to creating conflict, working with tension, and building satisfying resolutions. Students will workshop with Charlotte Barkla and develop their own ideas, and learn the skills to take their story-writing to the next level.
For students aged 9+ $30
9.45am to 11.15am
pocket-sized stories
SWW22 Flash fiction has never been bigger; people all over the world are penning very short stories. Caroline Graham runs this session on writing tiny but mighty stories, with tips and tricks for getting the most from a tight word count.
For students aged 12+ $30
12.45pm to 2.15pm
comic book creation
SWW23 Join Nat Amoore as she steps you through the process of creating your very own comic book concept. From finding a superhero name to inventing your arch nemesis, Nat will set you up with a comic outline, first page of panels and (most importantly) a dynamic, best-seller front cover that you can take home and develop into your own graphic novel.
For students aged 9+ $30
12.45pm to 2.15pm
wednesday 28 august
write now!
SWW31 Award winning author, Jacqueline Harvey will inspire your young writers with a range of tips and tricks from finding the best ideas, to creating characters, exploring settings and making sure that there’s just the right amount of trouble. Her workshops include a range of practical activities to help fire the imaginations of your students.
For students aged 9+ $30
9.45am to 11.15am
magic and mystery
SWW32 Unleash your creativity in this dynamic 90 minute creative writing workshop, exploring magical creatures, fantastic plots and the creative writing process. Join award-winning author Belinda Murrell in creating your own adventurous stories, vivid settings and characters who leap off the page. Enjoy brainstorming games, lively writing activities and experimenting with ideas from Belinda’s writing toolbox.
For students aged 9+ $30
9.45am to 11.15am
for the adults
tuesday 27 august
the art and science of reading
SWW20 Join author and award winning educator Megan Daley for a workshop exploring how parents/ caregivers and educators can support and nurture a joy of reading in young people from primary to secondary years. Megan will unpack current research around reading, share tips and tricks for getting more from the reading experience by creating reading journals, artworks and writing opportunities for young people and look at how to track down great books. Whether you have a reluctant or avid reader in your life, this workshop will provide advice to support the young people in your life on their reading journey.
This workshop is for parents/caregivers, educators and library staff who work with young people from primary to secondary years.
For adults $50 per person 9.30am to 11.30am
the heart of the matter: stories that shape our world
In an era where distractions are everywhere, amidst all the noise, stories have never been more important. In this panel conversation, Nicole Alexander (bestselling author of eleven historical fiction novels), Megan Daley (multiple award-winning teacher librarian, author and podcaster) and Jacqueline Harvey (million-copy bestselling children’s author) explore the role of storytelling in an ever-changing world. They’ll consider what continues to drive audiences to bookstores and libraries, the role of reading in childhood and development and the future of stories and storytelling. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or simply a lover of stories, this event promises to enlighten, inspire, and celebrate the value of stories. Hosted by Dr Caroline Graham
For adults $50 per person 5.30pm to 7.30pm
literary lunchwith
Nicole Alexander
tuesday 27 august
11.30AM ARRIVALS RIVERSANDS WINES
Step back in time and explore the art of crafting historical fiction with Nicole Alexander , hosted by Jacqueline Harvey. Join these acclaimed authors as they delve into the secrets of weaving captivating tales set against the backdrop of history. From meticulous research to the magic of storytelling, discover the inspiration behind Nicole’s compelling narratives and the challenges of bringing the past to life on the page. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or an avid reader, this conversation promises insights, anecdotes, and a journey through the ages unlike any other.
Time 11.30am arrivals for 12noon start
Venue Riversands Wines, 66 Whytes Rd, St George QLD 4487
Tickets $75 per person includes 2 course meal, drink upon arrival, cash bar available
Tickets are strictly limited!
map
BOOKSHOP, FIRST AID, INFORMATION, TICKETS
MEETING POINT
FOOD TRUCKS
RESOURCE RECOVERY STATION
THE BEEHIVE PROJECT
WATER STATION
sponsors & supporters
Somerset Storyfest is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Proudly funded by the Gambling Community Benefit Fund
development fund
We would like to acknowledge the donors who have contributed to the Storyfest Development Fund in support of the development and delivery of literacy programmes for disadvantaged chidren.
