welcome to 2026
CENTRAL QLD
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across the Central Highlands, including the Kangaulu, Gayiri, and Bidjara peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, cultures, and hopes of
First Nation Peoples
Andrea Lewis CEO 'aka Boss Lady'
most celebrated authors and illustrators. Together, we look forward to inspiring young readers, encouraging creativity and celebrating the stories that bring communities together.
Our gratitude also goes to the Storyfest Directors and the Storyfest A Team, whose unwavering commitment, professionalism and belief in the power of storytelling continue to make Storyfest a meaningful and memorable experience for audiences across Queensland.
BOARD
Chair Airlie MacLachlan
Directors Alex Woodthorpe (Deputy Chair), Michael Auckland, Megan Daley, Dr Caroline
Graham, Rev Chris Ivey, Sara Kirby, Louise Park and Kylie Sherrington (CFO).
Festival Patron Will Kostakis
STAFF
CEO Andrea Lewis
Artistic Director Megan Daley
Business Development Manager Narelle Higgs
Producer Events and Engagement (Regional) Gabriella Lennon
Tom Tate
Producer Events and Engagement (Gold Coast) Teraze Burke
Marketing and Communications Officer Jared Watt
from the...
It is a privilege to bring the magic of words, visuals and ideas to life at the 2026 Storyfest Central Queensland programme.
I am delighted to have programmed some of Australia's finest storytellers for this year's programme.
This year's line-up has something for every reader. Gus Gordon will open young eyes to the magic of illustration and visual storytelling. Kate Foster will spark conversations about friendship, family and the importance of seeing yourself in stories. Explore mystery and solve puzzles with Rachel
The programme features workshops, sessions designed to make young people laugh, challenge their thinking, inspire their own writing and creativity, and help them see reading and writing as a living, breathing part of their world.
Parents and educators are encouraged to engage with the programme ahead of time, enjoy the festival, and purchase books to continue the conversations and extend the Storyfest
festival info
BOOKING INFORMATION
Tickets are $10 (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 17 June 2026. 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. Children who do not have media permissions should be seated in the back left of venues. this area will not be photographed.
FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP
The Bookshop stocks an extensive range of books and is open daily between 8.00am and 4.00pm as well as during The Prologue Party. Following each session, authors are available for book signings!
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 QLD.
BAGS
There is no cloakroom facility at Storyfest Central QLD. 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
The Festival is located at: Emerald State School Anakie St Emerald QLD 4720
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Phone: 07 5559 7377
Email: bookings@storyfest.com.au
meet the storytellers
Session 123 Mon - 10.45am
Session 132 Mon - 12.30pm
Session 212 Tue - 9.30am
Workshop W22 Tue - 12.45pm
Clayton Zane Comber is the author of 100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze and co-author of The Marvellous Submarine and Gimme Some Space , published by HarperCollins. In 2022, he was shortlisted for the 2022 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Clay has been a speaker and workshop leader for writers’ festivals and schools around Australia. He received his MA from Sydney University, before studying in the UK and graduating from Oxford University with distinction for his Master’s in Creative Writing. In addition to being an author, Clay is also a DJ.
Session 111 Mon - 9.30am
Workshop W12 Mon - 12.45pm
Session 211 Tue - 9.30am
Session 232 Tue - 12.30pm
Workshop W11 Mon - 9.45am
Session 142 Mon - 1.45pm
Session 221 Tue - 10.45am
Session 242 Tue - 1.45pm
Pencil to Plate Tue - 5.00pm
Kate Foster
Kate Foster is a children's author writing about friends, family, and dogs. Originally from a small town in the south east of England, she now lives on the stunning Gold Coast in Australia with her family and second-hand dogs. She is passionate about encouraging and teaching a wider understanding of autism and mental illness via positive approach and representation.
www.kfosterbooks.com
Gus Gordon
Gus Gordon is an internationally acclaimed illustrator and author. He has illustrated and written nearly 100 books for children. His books, including Wendy , Herman and Rosie , Somewhere Else , The Last Peach and Finding François have been sold in over 20 countries worldwide and have received wide international recognition. Gus’s first graphic novel, Into the Bewilderness , was chosen as a 2026 CBCA ‘Notable’ book, and shortlisted for the ‘Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature’ in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. Gus lives in Brisbane, Australia. He also loves cheese, and things that go with cheese.
www.gusgordon.com
Clayton Zane Comber
Session 112 Mon - 9.30am
Session 141 Mon - 1.45pm
Session 222 Tue - 10.45am
Session 231 Tue - 12.30pm
George Ivanoff
George Ivanoff is a Melbourne author who’s written more than 100 books for kids and teens, including Monster Island , the interactive You Choose series, the RFDS Adventures , the OTHER WORLDS series, the Gamers trilogy, and the non-fiction Survival Guides ; as well as a ton of school readers and educational books. George’s books and stories have been shortlisted for numerous awards and he’s even won a few of them. George drinks too much coffee, eats too much chocolate and watches too much Doctor Who. He has one wife, two children and an uncontrollable imagination.
www.georgeivanoff.com.au
Session 122 Mon - 10.45am
Session 131 Mon - 12.30pm
Workshop W21 Tue - 9.45am
Session 241 Tue - 1.45pm
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson is a senior intelligence analyst where – just like in her books – she looks for clues, solves puzzles and explores options to help the good guys win the day. Rachel lives in the green hills of Central West NSW, and is the author and illustrator of the Solve It Your Way series (published by Riveted Press), engaging readers with interactive adventures as imaginative and individual as they are. Each book features puzzles, secret codes, brainteasers and riddles that allow the reader to decide what happens next.
www.racheljackson.com.au
Session 121 Mon - 10.45am
Session 132 Mon - 12.30pm
Session 212 Tue - 9.30am
Pencil to Plate Tue - 5.00pm
Conor McCammon
Conor McCammon has been writing stories for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Werri Beach surrounded by family, cats, and a whole lot of books. Conor attended the University of Wollongong, where he graduated with First Class Honours in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He currently works in climate change policy.
www.conormccammon.com
student sessions
9.30am to 10.15am
10.45am to 11.30am
12.30pm to 1.15pm
STORYTELLER
Kate Foster #diversity #familyandfriends
George Ivanoff #interactivefiction #adventure
Monday 14
1.45pm to 2.30pm
STORYTELLER
Conor McCammon #humour #visualliteracy
Rachel Jackson #crime #chooseyourownadventure
Clayton Zane Comber #humour #visualliteracy
STORYTELLER
Rachel Jackson #crime #chooseyourownadventure
Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon #humour #visualliteracy
STORYTELLER
George Ivanoff #interactivefiction #adventure
Gus Gordon #illustration #writing
student workshops
TAKING A LINE FOR A WALK with Gus Gordon
In this workshop, Gus will show the budding illustrators how to draw fun characters using shapes and simple line work to capture emotion and personality.
ROLL THE DICE WRITING WORKSHOP with Kate Foster
Ramp up the stakes and obstacles in your stories and understand the importance of character agency. Starting with some storytelling exercises to get everyone’s creative juices flowing, followed by a roll-the-dice adventure writing game, leaving the direction of our story entirely to chance! All attendees will be provided with a workbook to take home.
4.30pm to 6.30pm
EMERALD STATE SCHOOL
Free community event
See page 14 for full details Monday 14
Age Guide
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 storytellers bio and book titles to ensure the best fit for your group's booking.
See page 18 for full details
student sessions
9.30am to 10.15am
10.45am to 11.30am
Tuesday 15
12.30pm to 1.15pm
1.45pm to 2.30pm
STORYTELLER
Kate Foster #diversity #familyandfriends
Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon #humour #visualliteracy
STORYTELLER
Gus Gordon #illustration #writing
George Ivanoff #interactivefiction #adventure
STORYTELLER
George Ivanoff #interactivefiction #adventure
Kate Foster #diversity #familyandfriends
STORYTELLER
Rachel Jackson #crime #chooseyourownadventure
Gus Gordon #illustration #writing
student workshops
9.45am to 11.15am 12.45pm to 2.15pm
Join intelligence specialist and enigmatologist Rachel Jackson for a puzzle-powered workshop that blends imagination with structure to develop plots with built-in problems for characters to overcome. By the end of the workshop, students will walk away with a story outline and the confidence to create many more! Rachel Jackson is the author, illustrator and puzzle-builder of the interactive Solve It Your Way series.
CREATE with Clayton Zane Comber
Learn how to create ideas and use your senses to bring locations and stories to life! Get tips to help you invent interesting characters, keep readers engaged, collaborate with friends and craft basic illustrations. These sessions are designed to be engaging and boisterous with fun exercises that help students unlock their imagination and develop their creative potential.
Age Guide
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 storytellers bio and book titles to ensure the best fit for your group's booking.
pencil to Tuesday 15
5.00pm to 6.30pm plate Tickets $40 pp
Conor McCammon and Gus Gordon (For students ages 10+)
See page 16 for full details
geoglide prologue party free event
Monday 14 September 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Emerald State School
Come along to the opening night of Storyfest Central QLD. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and storytelling! 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 6.30pm.
Variety of dinner and beverage options available for purchase.
pencil toplate
Join top children’s illustrators Conor McCammon and Gus Gordon as they cross canvases before a table of fierce, but fair, young judges. A vibrant competition of skills and creativity, students will steer the artists' illustration and decide who remains standing.
Conor McCammon
Gus Gordon is an internationally acclaimed illustrator and author. He has illustrated and written nearly 100 books for children. His books, including Wendy , Herman and Rosie , Somewhere Else , The Last Peach and Finding François have been sold in over 20 countries worldwide and have received wide international recognition.
Join the battle for a night of laughter and imagination while tickets remain!
storyfest.com.au book online
Tuesday 15 September 5.00pm to 6.30pm
$40 pp includes dinner and soft drink
Student Ages 10+
hatch a dragon with Rachel Jackson
Mon 14 to Tue 15
Emerald State School Ongoing throughout the festival
Hatch your own dragon in this selfguided puzzle quest! Follow the trail of clues hidden around the festival, solving puzzles and making choices to discover which dragon you'll hatch.
BEAUTIFUL THINGS START WITH A SOUIGL.
It takes just a few scribbled words or loose doodles to spark young minds and launch a lifelong love for literacy.
The SQUIGL Club unites young minds through picture books, stories and creativity. This unique online gathering run by award-winning author and illustrator Andy Geppert, in partnership with Somerset Storyfest, teaches kids a very special lesson: a vivid imagination can take them anywhere. Celebrating young artists from the bush to the Arctic, this joyful art and story-share program is growing thanks to your help.
BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL, PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT OR APPLY TO JOIN OUR GROWING SQUIGL CLUB COMMUNITY.
In partnership with:
Somerset Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition
Somerset National Poetry Prize
FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION TO THE GOLD COAST
TICKETS TO ATTEND STORYFEST GOLD COAST (22 TO 24 MARCH 2027)
ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 04 DEC ‘26
Luxury Day Spa
Gold Coast MODERN
Vibrant Mediterranean Flavours
Championship Golf Course
sponsors & supporters
Publishers Government
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Development Fund
We would like to acknowledge the donors who have contributed to the Storyfest Development Fund in support of the delivery of literacy programmes for disadvantaged children.
Somerset Storyfest is supported by the City of Gold Coast.
Somerset Storyfest is supported by the Queensland Government through