I’m thrilled to announce this year’s programme for Storyfest Central Queensland! We look forward to seeing you all on this third instalment of our Regional Tour, 2025. Three years ago, our Writers’ Festivals in regional Queensland began with the success of Storyfest Out West in Longreach. This year’s Regional Tour will continue in St George, Longreach and Emerald, with what we hope is a host of unforgettable events for children
This will be our second Storyfest Central Queensland after a highly received first run. We are so excited to interact with the vibrant Emerald community for another two days of literaryfilled festivities. We hope that you will enjoy this festival as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
I would also like to thank the many Storyfest donors and sponsors who have made this Regional Tour possible. Without you all, we would not be able to fulfil our mission of nurturing a love of literature in children across Australia.
I encourage you all to embrace this festival and the chance to engage with Australia’s best children’s authors. Join us for our Prologue Party, a free community event for the whole family to mark the beginning of the festival.
We are delighted to embark on another literary journey with the Emerald community through Storyfest Central Queensland!
BOARD
Chairperson Airlie MacLachlan
Directors Alex Woodthorpe (Deputy Chair), Michael Arnold, Craig Bassingthwaighte, Megan Daley, Caroline Graham, Terry Herbert, Chris Ivey and Sara Kirby
CFO Kylie Sherrington
STAFF
CEO Andrea Lewis
Artistic Director Megan Daley
Business Development Manager Narelle Higgs
Marketing Co-ordinator Tayla Haynes
Head of Content and Design Liv Lorkin
Producer Events and Engagement (Regional) Gabriella Lennon
Producer Events and Engagement (Gold Coast) Teraze Burke
Events Assistant Charo Palenzuela
Events Assistant Lili Bannerman
from the...
Megan Daley Artistic Director
It’s a privilege to bring the magic of Storyfest Central Queensland to Emerald as part of our 2025 regional progamme!
We’re thrilled to welcome a stellar group of storytellers: the high-energy of Adrian Beck, bestselling Real Pigeons author Andrew McDonald, the endlessly entertaining RA Spratt, picture book powerhouse Yvonne Mes, bestselling author and literacy advocate Louise Park, and First Nations storyteller and educator Trevore Fourmile
Together, these artists bring humour, heart, insight and imagination — connecting with young people in ways that are both meaningful and entertaining. Whether through laugh-out-loud storytelling, creative curiosity, or deep cultural knowledge, they are sure to inspire students and audiences across Central Queensland.
The 2025 progamme has been carefully designed to support the needs of both primary and secondary students, with curriculum-aligned sessions, writing workshops and creative panels that challenge, engage, and nurture the next generation of storytellers. Whether students are just beginning their reading journey or already dreaming of writing their own books, Storyfest offers something
And we haven’t forgotten the grown-ups! Hooked on Books: Inspiring a Lifelong , is a thought-provoking panel hosted by Storyfest CEO Andrea RA Spratt, Yvonne Mes and Louise Park. This session will explore the power of reading in childhood and beyond — how books shape our lives, fuel curiosity, and create lifelong readers. It promises to be an inspiring and energising conversation for parents, educators and anyone passionate about
Storyfest Central Queensland is about connection — to place, to people, and to the power of narrative. In bringing this festival to Emerald, we honour the stories already alive in the region and invite young people to see their own voices, experiences, and imaginations as worthy of being heard, read, and
Expect joy. Expect laughter. Expect a progamme full of energy, creativity and heart. Whether you’re five or fifty-five, there’s something at Storyfest Central for you. Let’s gather, share stories, and celebrate the wonder of
info festival
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 Friday 13 June 2025. 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
FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP
The Festival Bookshop stocks an extensive range of books by all the authors and illustrators attending Storyfest Central Queensland 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 Central Queensland.
BAGS
There is no cloakroom facility at Storyfest Central Queensland. 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.
FESTIVAL LOCATION
meet the storytellers
Session CQ121 Monday 15 at 10.45am to 11.30am
Session CQ132 Monday 15 at 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Workshop CQW21 Tuesday 16 at 9.45am to 11.15am
Session CQ241 Tuesday 16 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Adult Panel Tuesday 16 at 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Adrian Beck writes funny, action-packed stories for kids. Adrian produced the TV show, Kids’ WB, and has also worked on the Logie Awards, Carols by Candlelight, Prank Patrol and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Adrian is the author of the Champion Charlies series and Stuff Happens: Dale, plus he co-wrote the Kick it to Nick series with AFL legend
Session CQ131
Session CQ243 Tuesday 16 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Trevor Fourmile is from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of the Cairns area in Far North Queensland. He is the author of numerous children’s books, including How the Cassowary Got Its Helmet
These stories are based on the coastal rainforest and told in traditional style. Trevor’s Yidinji name is Bumi which means ‘lightning flash’.
Adrian is the co-editor of Total Quack Up, along with Sally Rippin. His latest series is Derek Dool , publishing March 2020.
www.adrianbeck.com.au
He is passionate about teaching the younger generation his Culture through traditional dancing, storytelling, painting and writing children’s books.
Adrian Beck Fourmile
Trevor
Pencil to Plate Tuesday 16 at 5.00pm to 6.30pm
Liv Lorkin is a heart-led creative, children's book author and illustrator. Crafting thoughtful stories that navigate complex themes while spreading the message of hope.
Since discovering her niche in self-publishing with her first picture book, "Winter in Ballarat", she has authored six and illustrated seven more books, culminating in her latest release, "Sage and the Journey of Grief." Drawing from her childhood experience of losing her mum, infusing her middlegrade writing with authenticity and empathy.
When not immersed in illustrating on Yugambeh land, she can be found exploring gardens, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea. www.livlorkin.com
Andrew
Mcdonald
Workshop CQW11 Monday 15 at 9.45am to 11.15am
Session CQ142 Monday 15 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Session CQ221 Tuesday 16 at 10.45am to 11.30am
Session CQ242 Tuesday 16 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Pencil to Plate Tuesday 16 at 5.00pm to 6.30pm
Andrew McDonald is the author of the bestselling Real Pigeons series and the Hello Twigs series – both illustrated by Ben Wood and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing.
Andrew lives in Naarm/Melbourne and aims to write stories that make kids laugh, gasp and wonder about the world.
His books have been shortlisted for prizes such as the Australian Book Industry Awards, the Readings Children’s Book Prize, and the YABBA, KOALA and KROC children’s choice book awards.
Liv Lorkin
Session CQ111
Mes Yvonne Park Louise
Adult Workshop CQW13 Monday 15 at 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Session CQ211 Tuesday 16 at 9.30am to 10.15am
Session CQ232 Tuesday 16 at 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Pencil to Plate Tuesday 16 at 5.00pm to 6.30pm
Yvonne Mes is a children’s author and illustrator from Brisbane. She writes fiction and non-fiction for children with curious minds. Her latest picture book is The Opal Dinosaur, a nonfiction picture book with CSIRO. Yvonne is the coordinator of Write Links, Queensland’s children’s writers and illustrators group. She is completing her Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature at a snail’s pace.
www.yvonnemes.com
R.A. Spratt
Workshop CQW12 Monday 15 at 9.45am to 11.15am
Session CQ141 Monday 15 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Session CQ222 Tuesday 16 at 10.45am to 11.30am
Session CQ231 Tuesday 16 at 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Adult Panel Session Tuesday 16 at 5.30pm to 6.30pm
R.A. Spratt is a best-sellingauthor, television writer andpodcast host. She is known for the Shockingly Good Stories, Friday Barnes, The Peski Kids and Nanny Piggins series of books. As well as her
Session CQ122 Monday 15 at 10.45am to 11.30am
Session CQ143 Monday 15 at 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Session CQ212 Tuesday 16 at 9.30am to 10.15am
Workshop CQW23 Tuesday 16 at 12.45pm to 2.15pm
Adult Workshop CQW24 Tuesday 16 at 3.30pm to 5.00pm
Adult Panel Session Tuesday 16 at 5.30pm to 6.30pm
I write under my own name and three pseudonyms. I have a background in teaching and publishing and have published over 400 titles across Trade, Education, Children's, mass market and adult publishing.
As an author, I spend my days battling beasts, finding secret doors, portals, and hidden tunnels to magical lands, pretending to be the world’s best ballerina, and solving Harriet Clare's mega-HUGE and terribly troublesome dramas!
Who knows what I'll be doing tomorrow? The best part about being a children’s book creator and writer is that every day is a new and exciting adventure!
www.louisepark.com.au
Lili Wilkinson
Session CQ112 Monday 15 at 9.30am to 10.15am
Session CQ133 Monday 15 at 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Workshop CQW22 Tuesday 16 at 19.45am to 11.15am
Session CQ233 Tuesday 16 at 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Adult Panel Session Tuesday 16 at 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Lili Wilkinson is the award-winning author of twenty books for children and teenagers, including A Hunger of Thorns, Deep is the Fen and How To Make A Pet Monster. She established the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. She has a PhD in Creative Writing, and lives in Melbourne with her husband, son, dog and three chickens.
www.liliwilkinson.com.au
festival details this way
festival programme
studentsessions
$10.00 Tickets Per person, per session (inc GST)
Mon 15
Primary Middle Grade
9.30am to 10.15am 10.45am to 11.30am
CQ111 CQ112
STORYTELLER
Yvonne Mes
Lili Wilkinson
Primary Middle Grade
CQ121 CQ122
STORYTELLER
Adrian Beck
Louise Park
Primary Middle Grade Secondary
12.30pm to 1.15pm 1.45pm to 2.30pm
CQ131 CQ132 CQ133
STORYTELLER
Trevor Fourmile
Adrian Beck
Lili Wilkinson
Primary Middle Grade Secondary
CQ141 CQ142 CQ143
STORYTELLER
R.A. Spratt
Andrew McDonald
Louise Park
4.00pm to 6.00pm
studentworkshops
CQW11
CQW12
adultworkshop festival programme
Recommended for young people and their actively engaged supervising educators
Primary = Prep to Year Three
Middle Grade = Year Four to Year Eight
Secondary = Year Eight to Year Twelve (these sessions may contain mature content)
These are recommended ages only. Please review each creator's bio and book titles to ensure the best fit for your group's booking.
WEIRDLY FUNNY STORIES with Andrew McDonald
$30pp. See page 17 for full details
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF STORY TELLING with R.A. Spratt
$30pp. See page 17 for full details
THE ART OF WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING PICTURE BOOKS with Yvonne Mes
THE SOCIAL HUB
$50pp. See page 19 for full details
festival programme
studentsessions
$10.00 Tickets Per person, per session (inc GST)
Tues 16
Primary Middle Grade
CQ211 CQ212
Yvonne Mes
Louise Park
Primary Middle Grade
CQ221 CQ222
Andrew McDonald R.A. Spratt
Primary Middle Grade Secondary
9.30am to 10.15am 10.45am to 11.30am 12.30pm to 1.15pm 1.45pm to 2.30pm
CQ231 CQ232 CQ233
R.A. Spratt
Yvonne Mes
Lili Wilkinson
Primary Middle Grade Secondary
CQ241 CQ242 CQ243
Adrian Beck
Andrew McDonald
Trevor Fourmile
pencil to plate 5.00pm to 6.30pm
PENCIL TO PLATE: STUDENT DINNER THE SOCIAL HUB
Hosted by Andrew McDonald with illustrators Yvonne Mes and Liv Lorkin (For students ages 10+) $40 pp
festival programme
9.45am to 11.15am
STORYTELLER
studentworkshops
ADRIAN BECK: WRITE IT. DRAW IT. BLOW THEIR SOCKS OFF! with Adrian Beck
$30pp. See page 17 for full details
BUILDING STORIES with Lili Wilkinson
$30pp. See page 17 for full details
12.45pm to 2.15pm
STORYTELLER
CREATIVE NONFICTION: TRUE STORIES, BIG MOMENTS AND HOW TO WRITE THEM with Louise Park
$30pp. See page 17 for full details
Recommended for young people and their actively engaged supervising educators
Primary = Prep to Year Three Middle Grade = Year Four to Year Eight Secondary = Year Eight to Year Twelve (these sessions may contain mature content) These are recommended ages only. Please review each creator's bio and book titles to ensure the best fit for your group's booking.
adultworkshop adultpanel
3.30pm to 5.00pm
STORYTELLER
BUILDING LIFE-LONG READERS IN THE SWIPE AND TAP WORLD — FUTUREPROOFING LITERACY FOR GENERATION ALPHA with Louise Park THE SOCIAL HUB
$50pp. See page 19 for full details
SECRETS FROM THE KIDS' TABLE with R.A. Spratt, Lili Wilkinson and Adrian Beck hosted by Louise Park THE CAPRICORNIAN
$30pp. See page 19 for full details
prologue party
Mon 15 Sept 4.00pm to 6.00pm
The Social Hub free
8-10 Esmond Street, Emerald
event
Come along to the opening night of Storyfest Central Queensland. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and writing! The GeoGlide 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 4.00pm to 6.00pm - details announced soon
Variety of dinner and beverage options available for purchase.
studentworkshops
Mon 15
9.45am to 11.15am
Tues 16
WEIRDLY FUNNY STORIES with Andrew McDonald
Join bestselling author Andrew McDonald for a series of fun and interactive writing activities that will exercise imaginations and power-up creative skills. Students will create their own Real Pigeons characters; learn how to plot out action scenes; and tap into their weird sides to tell stories full of zest and humour.
The Building Blocks of Story Telling with R.A. Spratt
R.A. goes through the elements needed to construct a story. She explains how story structure works. Then together as a group we will use this knowledge to construct our own story. These are useful techniques to learn because breaking a story down into it's parts and thinking about them separately, will make the creative process less intimidating and overwhelming.
9.30am to 11.00am
STORYTELLER
ADRIAN BECK: WRITE IT. DRAW IT. BLOW THEIR SOCKS OFF! with Adrian Beck
In this hands-on and hilarious workshop, author/illustrator Adrian Beck reveals his top-secret formula for sparking brilliant story ideas, with his Mysterious Three M’s (nope, not Big M’s... though those are helpful too). With a mix of storytelling and sketching, Adrian shows kids how to turn their wildest thoughts into page-turning tales. And how simple shapes can bring unforgettable cartoon characters to life on the page.
Perfect for budding writers, enthusiastic doodlers, and kids who are bursting with ideas but don’t know where to start!
CQW22
BUILDING STORIES with Lili Wilkinson
Lili will guide students through the storytelling process - incorporating brainstorming, character development, plot and how to begin and end a story.and overwhelming.
12.45pm to 2.15pm
CQW21 CQW23
STORYTELLER
CREATIVE NONFICTION: TRUE STORIES, BIG MOMENTS AND HOW TO WRITE THEM with Louise Park
What if you had to stay behind while everyone else escaped? Best-selling author Louise Park brings history alive with the true story behind her award-winning book, Last Man Out — the final soldier to leave Gallipoli during WW1. Discover how to turn real events into unforgettable stories, use emotion, detail, and structure to engage readers, and how to unearth story ideas from your own life. Featuring vivid Gallipoli images, writing tips, a reading, and Q&A.
pencil student dinnerplateto
Yvonne Mes vs. Liv Lorkin Who will win the title of best illustrator?
as they cross canvases before a table of fierce, but fair, young judges. Hosted by Andrew McDonald , enjoy a vibrant competition of skills and creativity, students will steer the artists' illustration and decide who remains standing.
Liv Lorkin is a heart-led creative, children's book author and illustrator. Her signature illustration style is whimsical and full of joy, capturing a deep sense of wonder for the natural world. Her love for celebrating regional communities blossomed into her first picture book series, inspired by her ten years in Ballarat, which spanned six titles.
Yvonne Mes is a children’s author and illustrator from Brisbane. She writes fiction and non-fiction for children with curious minds. Her latest picture book is The Opal Dinosaur, a nonfiction picture book with CSIRO. Yvonne is the coordinator of Write Links, Queensland’s children’s writers and illustrators group. She is completing her Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature at a snail’s pace.
Join the battle for a night of laughter and imagination while tickets remain!
for ages 10+, or 6+ if accompanied by a parent or guardian
for the adults
Adult Workshop with Yvonne Mes
12.30pm to 2.30pm
$50 pp
The Social Hub
The Art of Writing and Illustrating Picture Books
The good, the bad and the ugg boots. Join children's book author and illustrator Yvonne Mes for a creative and inspiring workshop. Whether you're curious about the world of picture books, illustrating for publishing, or the creative process behind storytelling, this session offers a behind-the-scenes and immersive experience. Perfect for aspiring illustrators, educators and writers with a passion for the narrative craft. More details to come.
Adult Workshop with Louise Park
Tues 16 September 3.30pm to 5.00pm
$50 pp
The Social Hub
Building Life-Long Readers in the Swipe and Tap World — Futureproofing Literacy for Generation Alpha
Join Louise Park to discuss how generation Alpha are the first true digital natives — swiping, tapping, and navigating devices from the cradle. As screens become ever-present and change speeds up, how can parents and educators build confident readers in this new world?
In this engaging, research-based workshop, we’ll explore essential literacy foundations — from handwriting to screen time, and from the science of reading to the joy of book ownership.
You’ll learn:
• the 7 essential literacy skills
• The role of handwriting for reading
• How to balance books and technology
• Why book ownership matters and matching readers to the just-right book
Secrets from the Kids Table
Tues 16 Sept 5.30pm to 6.30pm
$30 pp
The Capricornian
Perfect for parents, carers, educators, and leaders, this workshop gives you the tools to nurture strong, joyful, lifelong readers.
Ever wondered what the life of a children’s author is really like?
The inside story on life as a children’s author. Join host and kidlit author herself, Louise Park in discussion with Storyfest stars R.A. Spratt, Adrian Beck and Lili Wilkinson as they take us behind the scenes of life as a children’s author.
Book online and join the fun - tickets are limited!
sponsors & supporters
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 children.
