Storyfest Gold Coast 2024

storyfest.com.au

25 to 27 March

2024

acknowledgement of country Somerset Storyfest acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Yugambeh Language Region and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People of the Gold Coast. We pay our respect to all Elders past, present

contents.

and emerging as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people.

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Welcome

7 Festival Information

8 Meet the Storytellers

18 Programme - Author Sessions Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 March 21

Student Workshops

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Festival Map

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Parents’ and Friends’ Prologue Party

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Extended Programme

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Adult Sessions

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Literary Lunch with Marina Kamanev supported by Dr Harald Puhalla (General Surgeon)

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The Craig Bassingthwaighte Long Table with Hannah Kent supported by the Somerset Alumni Association

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Sponsors and Supporters

Front cover photo by Amber Melody

storyfest.com.au

welcome to Storyfest 2024 With a tumultuous start to the 2024 year, we sincerely hope our Storyfest community is safe and well. There are big things planned for this year with a focus on collaboration!

Our cornerstone event, the Somerset Storyfest Writers Festival, plans to offer more to the community through diversification of our programming. An absolute highlight is our collaboration with Everybody Now to deliver an intergenerational programme connecting senior members of our community with teenagers, through spoken word poetry!

This year will also see the launch of Joel McKerrow’s children’s book with Larrikin House, we’re absolutely thrilled that this partnership grew from a performance at our Festival in 2022! Congratulations Joel!

CEO/ Festival Director

In partnership with HOTA (Home of the Arts) we bring elements of their Colour your Imagination to life at Storyfest which extends this wonderful celebration of books! We continue our support of local storyteller and children’s entertainer – Lucas Proudfoot through his new show – Proudfoot and Friends which will be showcased at Beyond the Book, Words Out West, the StoryArts Festival Ipswich and of course, here at Storyfest.

We’re thrilled that we could offer inspiration to the Dymocks Children’s Charities who delivered their inaugural Inspired Readers Festival in Armidale and 2024 will see us support Whitsunday Voices as they celebrate 20 years! Our collaboration with the wonderful team from the SWELL Sculpture Festival will enter its 6th year.

We’re thrilled to work with the Australian Children’s Laureate, the Australian School Library Association and The DANZ Children’s Book Award to incorporate the announcement of the inaugural winner as part of our festival.

Our regional programme will extend to incorporate St. George (South West), Longreach (Out West) and Emerald (Central Queensland). We will deliver three festivals, in three weeks, in three regional towns. Certainly, a challenge but one we’re very proud to take on.

We look forward to welcoming new Directors to the Storyfest Board and welcome Emma Monaghan to the Storyfest team. We are incredibly grateful to those partners who continue to support our ventures and to our new partners, thank you for joining us on this journey.

I also would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank each and every person who has given so generously to Storyfest over the years.

Whether you are Gold Coast based, regional Queensland or elsewhere, I sincerely hope you take full advantage of what Storyfest is offering. Everyone has a story, come along and share in ours!

storyfest.com.au Share your experiences at #storyfestgc #artsqld #artsfunding #wearegoldcoast #ourgoldcoast @somersetstoryfest

@somersetstoryfest

@somstoryfest

I have always held the belief that a city without a strong connection to arts and culture is a city without soul.

Luckily for the Gold Coast, our cultural heart is beating with so much to see, do and discover in the world of art, literature and culture.

tom tate Mayor

Through incredible festivals like the annual Somerset Storyfest, we get to peek behind the pages of literature, with the chance to meet guest authors as well and engaging in writers' workshops and tutorials.

I applaud Andrea and the board for expanding the festival to enage disadvantaged children to enjoy the wonderful world of literature.

Make a date with Storyfest 2024.

Welcome to the 31st edition of Somerset Storyfest; a literary festival that is much loved across the breadth of Queensland and Northern New South Wales; a festival that garners willing writers from all corners of Australia and overseas.

michael brohier

Artistic Director

Storyfest has grown from the germ of an idea by a group of dedicated and farsighted readers, to metamorphose into the largest regional festival in Queensland and with its forays into rural areas through Longreach, St George and Emerald. Storyfest, is synonymous with inclusivity, First Nations celebration, literary outreach, confronting the contentious and bequeathing a love of reading and writing to adolescents across the state. All this from a rich cultural corner of the Gold Coast, Mudgeeraba!

This year, 2024, will see us rebound completely from the isolation and ravages of covid as we introduce more than 25 brilliant authors to adolescents and adults alike. From the known brilliance of Ambassador Jacqueline Harvey, the poetic thrall of Joel McKerrow and the everrelevant and entertaining Lucas Proudfoot, to the female empowerment of Rugby Seven’s Gold Medallist, Chloe Dalton, and the rich storytelling of Will Kostakis, to name just a few.

Storyfest will captivate both young and old and those in between, with its ability to entertain and educate, at the same time.

Literary Lunch speaker Marina Kamenev, a former deputy arts editor at The Moscow Times for 3 years, who writes incisive and daring investigative pieces, and The Craig Bassingthwaighte Long Table speaker, Hannah Kent, “a feminist, who believes in equal rights for both sexes”, and author of the bestselling historical fiction novels, Burial Rites, The Good People, and her latest novel, Devotion, are both compelling drawcards.

Storyfest would not be possible without the support of so many generous sponsors, the backing of Somerset College, The Storyfest Board lead by Airlie Maclachlan, the unwavering support of College Headmaster, Craig Bassingthwaighte, and the energetic and visionary leadership of Storyfest CEO, Andrea Lewis.

Join us at Storyfest and ignite or simply consolidate your love of the power of words!

We are striving to become a sustainable event; we encourage you to bring your own coffee cups and refillable water bottles.

All waste is to be taken to the Resource Recovery Station.

Sustainab le Event!

storyfest.com.au

As a Kombumerri man with a passion for music, storytelling and language development, Lann is deeply immersed in the heart of the Coast’s creative arts field. Through this connection Lann has drawn together a collection of diverse storytellers and artists important to his own stories on country.

lann levigne

Lann spoke of his role “It is important to give everyone the opportunity to learn about and connect with artists that they may never have otherwise. These are the artists and storytellers within my circle that I value dearly.”

First Nations Artistic Director

Photo by Amber Melody

our team

STAFF

BOARD

Artistic Director Dr Michael Brohier

Chairperson Airlie MacLachlan

First Nations Artistic Director Lann Levinge

Directors Craig Bassingthwaighte, Terry

Marketing Co-ordinator Tayla Haynes

Herbert, Michael Arnold, Caroline Graham

Event Co-ordinator Gabriella Lennon

and Alex Woodthorpe

Festival Administrator Emma Monaghan

Chief Financial Officer Kylie Sherrington

Publicist Frankly House

CEO/ Festival Director Andrea Lewis

highlights AUTHOR SESSIONS Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 March 2024 WORKSHOPS AND PANELS Interactive writing workshops and panel discussions for children and adults SPECIAL EVENTS Book Launches, Parents' and Friends' Prologue Party, Literary Lunch and The Craig Bassingthwaighte Long Table EXTENDED PROGRAMME Workshops, Awards and featured Storytellers AUTHOR BOOK SIGNINGS In the Festival Bookshop DON'T FORGET To bring your own water bottle, keep cups and all rubbish is to be

Sustaina ble Event!

taken to the Resource Recovery Station

Photo by MSP Photography

storyfest.com.au

festival info

BOOKING INFORMATION Tickets are $8.00 (GST inclusive) per person per session.

For adult sessions, workshops and catered functions, please refer to individual event information. Tickets will be emailed to you or can also be collected from the Storyfest Office located at Somerset College between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

Bookings can only be processed on receipt of full payment. Bookings can only be accepted online, or in person at the Storyfest Office. There are no refunds or exchanges once bookings are processed. Your tickets and confirmation of your booking will be emailed to your designated email address.

PURCHASING YOUR TICKETS Tickets will be on sale from Monday 5 February 2024.

You may book online anytime. Many sessions have limited numbers, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

NOTE ABOUT VENUES Venues for the author sessions will be allocated closer to the Festival. The capacities of the venues vary, so final venue allocation is determined according to the number of tickets purchased for each session. Please check the website prior to your visit to find the location of your sessions.

SUSTAINABILITY We are striving to become a sustainable event therefore no plastic bottled drinks will be available for sale. A water refill station will be located in Towers Quad. In addition, no single-use coffee cups will be available, festival goers are encouraged to bring along their own keep cups or visit our Mug Library. All waste should be taken offsite or visit the Resource Recovery Station.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY PERMISSIONS Storyfest will have a photographer and videographer onsite 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 and is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm. It will also open

during 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. Look out for Dippin’ Dots ice cream, Dutch Poffertjes, snow cones and other treats.

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.

SCHOOL BOOKINGS AND RESERVATION POLICY One complimentary ticket is provided to teachers with each group of up to 10 children (additional teachers are required to purchase extra tickets). Tickets may be reserved for up to 14 days without payment. All payments must be finalised at least seven days prior to the Festival. If payment is not received for your reservation, this will result in automatic cancellation of your booking and tickets will be released.

BAGS There is no cloakroom facility at the Festival. 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 Storyfest Office.

HOW TO GET HERE The Festival is located on campus at Somerset College, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast.

Car Take Exit 82 off the Pacific Motorway (M1), head west along Somerset Drive. Somerset College is located on the left. There is limited parking off Somerset Drive, Clover Hill Drive and Sara Carrigan Court (accessed by turning right off Clover Hill Drive).

Public Transport The nearest Queensland Rail station is Robina. From here, Somerset College is approximately five minutes by car/ taxi. Public buses are available from various locations around the Gold Coast. For further details, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au School Bus Transport Koala Koaches has a special rate for Gold Coast schools travelling to Storyfest. Coach (with seat belts) $7.60 plus GST per person with a minimum of 30 passengers.

Schools travelling to the Gold Coast by train are also eligible for a special rate on a shuttle service between Robina Train Station and Somerset College. Please contact Koala Koaches to make your necessary travel arrangements by phoning - 07 5535 2711.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Phone: 07 5559 7377 Email: bookings@storyfest.com.au

josh arnold Workshop Tuesday 26 at 9.30am Workshop Wednesday 27 at 9.30am Session 352 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

Josh Arnold is a song writer, performer, and music producer with more than 20 years of industry experience. He has released 3 albums with ABC Music and won a Golden Guitar at the Australian Country Music Awards. Josh has created music in multiple genres and has had his songs placed on TV programs around the world and played nationally on radio stations across Australia. Josh also works with schools, small towns, and various organisations to create original songs and music videos for his production company Small Town Culture.

gabriel bergmoser

zowie baumgart Session 254 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm

Zowie’s prints and paintings are both elegant and beautifully crafted, telling stories of personal journey and connection to country. Zowie has been working with many larger corporations to deliver outstanding pieces, drawing upon the inspiration of her countryon the Gold Coast, home of the Kombumerri.

uncle billy Session 223 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am

Session 114 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 146 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 236 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 326 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am Session 354 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. He won the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award in 2015, and was nominated for the 2017 Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing. His first young adult novel, Boone Shepard, was shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize, and his second YA book, The True Colour of a Little White Lie, was published in 2021. Andromache Between Worlds is Gabriel's first middle-grade book. www.gabrielbergmoser.com

Uncle Billy Oui was born on Thursday Island (TI) and raised in a small village called Dadamud on Erub (Darnley Island) in the Torres Strait. Uncle Billy currently lives on Kumbemberri Country on the Gold Coast and is currently the Chairperson of Kalwun Development Corporation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisation.

meet the storytellers

s

storyfest.com.au

bowie family Session 223 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am

The Bowie Family acknowledges the traditional owners of this area and their elders. The Bowie Family come from Badu, Mabuiag, Pulu and ErubIslands in the Torres Strait. Our dances come from Badu in the Torres Strait Islands where the sea and land have sustained our people formany generations. The songs tell stories that capture life, history, andculture.

megan daley

clinton brewer Session 231 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am

Clinton Brewer is a Kombummeri Ngarang-wal man from the Gold Coast area, with his grandmother being from the Nunnucal of Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island. His background is in animal behaviour in a captive setting and in the wild, formerly being a field ranger with Queensland Parks and Wildlife and then spending the majority of his time at David Fleay Wildlife Park.

chloe dalton

Workshop Wednesday 27 at 11.00am Session 351 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

Session 225 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Session 256 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm

Megan Daley is passionate about children’s literature and is the author of the bestselling book Raising Readers, published by UQP and the upcoming title The Beehive, to be published by Walker Books. She is a Teacher Librarian in Brisbane and has been awarded the Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year, as well as the national Dromkeen Librarian’s Award. A former national vice-president of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Megan is also a sought after public speaker, literary judge, creator of the popular website Children’s Books Daily and co-host of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast. She also has a few more books in the pipeline. She also thinks sleep is overrated.

Chloe Dalton is one of Australia’s few triple sport elite athletes. After playing basketball in the WNBL with the Sydney Uni Flames, Chloe transitioned to Rugby, where she debuted for the Australian Rugby 7s team in 2014. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Dalton won Gold with the Australian 7s team and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for Service to Sport. She was also recognised as Australia’s top Rugby 7s player in 2017, winning the Shawn Mackay Medal. Chloe then crossed codes again to Aussie rules, making her debut in 2019 for Carlton in the AFLW. She was recently named Runner-Up in the Carlton Best and Fairest Awards for the 2020 AFLW season. Chloe currently plays AFLW for the GWS Giants.

www.childrensbooksdaily.com

robyn dennison

jacq ellem

Session 115 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 137 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 227 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Session 337 Wednesday 27 at 11.15am Session 355 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

Workshop Monday 25 at 9.30am Workshop Tuesday 26 at 9.30am Session 246 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 327 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am

Robyn Dennison’s fiction has appeared in Australian literary journals, including as a runnerup for the Overland VU Short Story Prize. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, where she teaches creative writing. Blind Spot, her first novel, was shortlisted for the Text Prize.

Jacq is a bibliophile, copywriter, occasional broadcaster and an internationally award-winning podcaster, including Best Writing and Best Performance for Tales from Three Corners. She is a Literacy Volunteer at the local primary school, hosts Murder Mondays for Sisters in Crime Australia, is the Podcast Wrangler for NZ Webfest, and holds the title of Chief Cat Herder and Senior Creative for an Audio Production Company in the cloud. She lives an ordinary life in an ordinary cottage, which includes cold swimming, jam making, a small amount of chainsawing, and she is an awesome auntie to seven Grott Monsters.

Comfortable chaos is her superpower.

www.robyndennison.com

www.talesfromthreecorners.com.au

erica eurell

isabella eurell

Session 126 Monday 25 at 10.15am

Session 254 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm

Jingeri (Hello) My name is Erica Eurell; I’m a Traditional Custodians from the Yugambeh Language Region of the Gold Coast. I have a passion for connecting with community so my knowledge in culture has grown and thus I help others within the wider community develop an increased understanding and respect for the culture. To achieve this I will support and sort out the skills and knowledge of Indigenous artists and craftsmen/ women. My connections I have made through weaving and painting, and particularly Language and performance base projects has allowed me to connect to other active members of the community so I have strong understanding of cultural protocols and needs and in particular the Indigenous youth of who will be involves in the continual growth of the business.

Isabella is a Traditional Custodian from the Yugambeh Language Region of the Gold Coast, Mununjali, Kombumerri and Wollumbin.

A gifted and passionate young artist making positive connections in the community with commissioned works throughout the region.

Isabella is definitely an artist to take note of as she develops and grows with each piece she creates.

storyfest.com.au

caleb finn Session 136 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 154 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 215 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am Session 247 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm

Caleb Finn is Australia’s most-followed male content creator, with over 17 million fans worldwide. Known for his cinematic short horror films, Caleb is inspired by film, digital culture, body horror and liminal spaces. His fascination with creepypastas, urban legends found in the corners of the online world, motivated him to write his own collection of scary short stories.

He documents his parenthood journey on his TikTok channel to millions of followers. Caleb lives in Melbourne with his partner and young child. Archives of Despair is his debut novel.

james foley Workshop Monday 25 at 9.30am Session 143 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 212 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am Illustrator Battle Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 243 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 322 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am Session 341 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

James Foley is a writer and illustrator from Walyalup/ Fremantle, WA. His picture book Stellarphant was voted Picture Book of the Year in the 2022 CBCA Shadowers’ Choice Awards. It has been shortlisted for a further eleven awards. His latest graphic novel series is Secret Agent Mole. Book 1: Goldfish-Finger and book 2: The Boar Identity are out now; Book 3: Dr Nude is out in April 2024. James is an ambassador for Books In Homes and Room To Read. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. www.jamesfoley.com.au

caroline graham

tiana graf

Session 127 Monday 25 at 10.15am

Session 313 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am

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 non-fiction. Caroline is the coauthor 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.

With ancestral ties to the Nukunu of South Australia, Tiana has born on the Gold Coast, the perfect placeto hone her skills in storytelling, dance performance and working with animals.

www.carograham.com

Tiana is currently a marine mammal specialist at SeaWorld, an education officer at Lonepine Sanctuaryand a dancer for cultural performances throughout the city. “I love being able to educate people about the importance of our land and native wildlife!”

Sustainab le Event!

lev grossman Session 123 Monday 25 at 10.15am Session 152 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 237 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 251 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm Workshop Wednesday 27 at 9.30am Session 356 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

Lev Grossman is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Magicians trilogy - The Magicians, The Magician King, and The Magician’s Land, which has also become a successful TV series. Previously a journalist who interviewed the likes of Neil Gaiman and J.K. Rowling, his books The Silver Arrow and its follow up, The Golden Swift, are his first forays into writing for children. www.levgrossman.com

jacqueline harvey Session 111 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 131 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 141 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Illustrator Battle Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 312 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am

Jacqueline Harvey worked in schools for many years but has had a passion for storytelling since she was a child. She is the author of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof series, which have sold almost two million copies in Australia alone. In 2022, she released a picture book, That Cat, illustrated by one of her former students, Kate Isobel Scott. Jacqueline's books have received numerous shortlistings and awards while her picture book, The Sound of the Sea, was a CBCA Honour Book. www.jacquelineharvey.com.au

jack heath Session 116 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 155 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 235 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 253 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 325 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am

Jack Heath is the #1 bestselling author of more than 40 novels for adults and children, including the Liars series, the Minutes of Danger series and If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next. His books have been translated into nine languages. He lives with his wife and children on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land in Canberra, Australia. www.jackheathwriter.com

marina kamenev Session 216 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am Literary Lunch Tuesday 26 at 12.30pm

Marina Kamenev is a former deputy arts editor at The Moscow Times with an interest in family, ethics, and assisted reproduction. Her articles have been published in The Monthly, Sunday Life, Slate and The Atlantic. She was born in Belgorod, Russia, and moved to Australia when she was six years old. Marina lives in Sydney with her husband and their two children. www.marinakamenev.com

storyfest.com.au

thomas kelly

hannah kent

Session 113 Monday 25 at 9.15am Sessions 231 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am

Session 315 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am Long Table Wednesday 27 at 5.30pm

Thomas is a storyteller is of BundjalungYugambeh/Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu heritage.

Thomas graduated in 2012 from NAISDA Dance College and has since worked with Vicki Van Hout, Shaun Parker and Company, Branch Nebula, ERTH, Chunky Move, Dancenorth, The FARM, Tasdance, Outer Urban Projects, GUTS and Urban Theatre Projects. Thomas creates work that reveals subject matters that offers an opportunity to learn and develop. Remembering the past to better understand the present so we can move forward into the future.

Hannah Kent's first novel, the multi-award winning international bestseller, Burial Rites, was translated into over 30 languages and is being adapted for film. Her second novel, The Good People, was translated into 10 languages, nominated for numerous awards, and is also being adapted for film. Devotion, her third novel, won Booktopia's Favourite Australian Book and was shortlisted for multiple industry awards, Her original feature film, Run Rabbit Run, was directed by Daina Reid and starred Sarah Snook. Hannah is also the cofounder of Kill Your Darlings, and has written for The New York Times, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, Meanjin, Qantas Magazine and LitHub. She lives and works on Peramangk and Kaurna Country.

www.thomaseskelly.com

www.hannahkentauthor.com

richard kinnon Session 124 Monday 25 at 10.15am Session 134 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 144 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 224 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Session 234 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 244 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 324 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am Session 334 Wednesday 27 at 11.15am Session 344 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Richard Kinnon is a natural storyteller. Brought up in the outback where tales are told around the campfire, he has a wealth of yarns to share. There are stories of the early pioneers, cattle duffers and stagecoaches; stories of his own childhood growing up on a station and learning from the Indigenous ‘uncles’ who worked there; stories of building his Outback Pioneers tourism business in Longreach, which is now a multi award-winning enterprise drawing thousands of visitors each year. He is passionate about educating future generations to value and preserve the real Australian outback. www.outbackpioneers.com.au

brendan knight Session 113 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 313 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am

Mununjali Ngari is a traditonal and deeply immersed cultural experience hailing from the Beusdesert region. Brendan is a leader in the community and plays an important role keeping the culture of his people alive through song, dance and storytelling.

will kostakis

sofie laguna

Session 125 Monday 25 at 10.15am Session 147 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 226 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Young Writers' Dinner at 5.30pm Session 314 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am Session 347 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Session 121 Monday 25 at 10.15am Session 142 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 245 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Session 316 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am Session 336 Wednesday 27 at 11.15am

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.

Sofie Laguna's many books for young people have been published in the US, the UK and in translation throughout Europe and Asia. She has been shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Awards, and twice been awarded Honour Book by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). She is also a highly acclaimed author for adults. Sofie lives in Melbourne with her husband, Marc McBride, and their two young sons. www.sofielaguna.com

www.willkostakis.com

james layton Session 255 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm Young Writers' Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Workshop Wednesday 27 at 9.30am

Larrikin House Publisher James Layton is passionate about creating fun, edgy and unique books for young readers. His industry experience spans thirty years as both a bookseller to schools and since 2018 a children’s publisher. His first question to authors when assessing manuscripts is always 'What’s the buy-in for the kid?’ As a young reluctant reader himself, James started creating humorous books to engage kids and make them laugh. His frank, no-nonsense approach is invaluable for anyone who wants a publishing deal. www.larrikinhouse.com.au

kiara levinge Session 346 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Kiara Levinge is a 20 year old Kombummeri woman of the saltwater Yugambeh tongue. Kiara is the great great grand daughter of Albert Levinge and Eva Levinge (Graham). She is part of the original six family names from our area. Kiara is currently studying a double degree at Griffith University in Business and Arts. Kiara is passionate about all things music, and tells the story of her culture and experiences through song.

storyfest.com.au

sunny luwe

xoe mazzoni

Session 346 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Session 254 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm

Fun and playful! After enjoying a Sunny Luwe set you will believe that magic is real. A proud First Nations (Weilwan) woman and Goldy local, pop soul songstress Sunny Luwe has gone from strength-tostrength this year, releasing her first album, Flowers in the Sky with a sold out launch show at Dust Temple, and a QMA finalist nom to boot. Penning songs with Grammy nominees and multiple ARIA winners Sunny has released prolifically over the past year, crafting fun pop hits, with more tunes on the way for 2024.

True to her name Sunny will bring the sunshine* and good times.

An incredible First Nations storyteller through her art, Xoe’s use of bright colours to hand paint large murals and create masterful prints is simply stunning. It's all part of her deep connection to family and country.

*actual sunshine pending weather report.

joel mckerrow

belinda murrell

Session 133 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 156 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 241 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Gran Slam Live Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 335 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am Session 342 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Workshop Monday 25 at 9.30am Session 145 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Session 213 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am Session 232 Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Session 333 Wednesday 27 at 11.15am Session 353 Wednesday 27 at 1.45pm

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 poetrywork, seven spoken word albums and six poetry books, it is with great pleasure that this year at Somerset Storyfest Joel is launching his first ever fiction work — Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe. A juniorfiction/ graphic novel, published by Larrikin House, which combines his love of poetry with a spooky, hilarious, action-packed, illustrated adventure.

Belinda Murrell began writing stirring tales of adventure, mystery and magic in hand-illustrated exercise books. As an adult, she combined two of her great loves – writing and travelling the world – and worked as a travel writer and public relations consultant. Now, inspired by her own children, Belinda is an award-winning, internationally published children’s author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years. Her previous titles include The Golden Tower, the Lulu Bell series, The Sun Sword Trilogy, and her latest book The Daredevil Princess and the Golden Unicorn - the first book in an exciting new series.

www.joelmckerrow.com

www.belindamurrell.com.au

katrina nannestad Session 122 Monday 25 at 10.15am Session 153 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 221 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Session 321 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am Session 345 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning Australian author.

Her books include the CBCA-shortlisted We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, the Travelling Bookshop series, The Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Olive of Groves series, the Red Dirt Diaries series, the Lottie Perkins series, and the historical novels Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief and Waiting for the Storks. Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighbourhood stuffed full of happy children. Katrina now lives on a hillside in central Victoria with her husband, a silly whippet called Olive and a mob of kangaroos.

lucas proudfoot Session 211 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am

Lucas Proudfoot is one of Australia’s most dynamic children’s entertainers. Just ask any of the hundredsof-thousands of kids around the country who have danced, sung, jumped and giggled along at one of his live shows. A proud First Nations man and dad, Lucas shares stories through music, books, live performances and TV appearances. Lucas performs original compositions using his guitar, didgeridoo and stomp box as part of his live touring show, delivering a contemporary Indigenous-Australian music and storytelling experience. In the 10+ years that he has been touring, Lucas has performed for 500,000 children at schools and kindergartens around Australia. www.lucasproudfoot.com

www.katrinanannestad.com

kate isobel scott Session 111 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 141 Monday 25 at 12.45pm Workshop Tuesday 26 at 9.30am Illustrator Battle Tuesday 26 at 11.15am Young Writers Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Session 332 Wednesday 27 at 11.15am

Kate Isobel Scott is an Animation Director and Illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia. Kate grew up in a small town in Australia. Once she finished school Kate moved to England to study Illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall. In 2011 Kate graduated with a BA Honours degree in illustration and moved to London. Kate has worked on picture books such as The Daring Tale of Gloria the Great and That Cat, written by Jacqueline Harvey. www.kateisobelscott.com

r.a. spratt Session 112 Monday 25 at 9.15am Session 135 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 214 Tuesday 26 at 9.15am Session 242 Tuesday 26 at 12.45pm Session 323 Wednesday 27 at 10.15am

R.A. Spratt was born in the UK and lived in Dursley, Gloucestershire – a town immortalised

by Harry Potter’s deeply unpleasant relatives – until she was two years old. Then, like many ambitious English people cursed with regional accents so strong no other British person can take them seriously, her family moved to Australia. Now based in Bowral NSW, she's the bestselling writer of dozens of absurd and witty books including Friday Barnes, The Adventures of Nanny Piggins and The Peski Kids. Her podcast, Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt, has had over 2 million downloads and connects R.A. with storylovers across the globe. www.raspratt.com

storyfest.com.au

matt stanton Session 132 Monday 25 at 11.15am Session 151 Monday 25 at 1.45pm Session 222 Tuesday 26 at 10.15am Session 252 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm Session 311 Wednesday 27 at 9.15am

Matt Stanton is a bestselling children’s author and illustrator who has sold more than one million books worldwide. His middle-grade series Funny Kid debuted as the #1 Australian kids’ book and has legions of fans across the globe. He has published such bestselling picture books as There Is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts, This Is a Ball and Pea + Nut!, and produces a daily YouTube show for kids.

He lives and works in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, bestselling author Beck Stanton, and their children. www.mattstanton.net

peter thornley Session 346 Wednesday 27 at 12.45pm

Peter Thornley is a proud First Nations man from Gunggari Country with a deep passion for promoting and sharing cultural stories through music, film and television. He has dedicated his career to working with Indigenous Australians to cultivate and express these stories in an emotive and honest way, while also collaborating with adverse range of creatives to produce high-quality content. Peter has worked with Screen Australia, Screen QLD, SBS and ABC to deliver professional audio and visual content for projects such as Languages of Our Land. Peter is a senior teacher in the music and sound department at TAFE QLD. He has a talent for connecting with young people and has developed and led numerous creative workshops and events.

kerry-lee thompson Session 126 Monday 25 at 10.15am

I am a proud Yidinji, Yadhaigana and Meriam Mer Sovereign First Nations woman. I have lived my entire life on beautiful Kombumerri Saltwater Peoples and Ngarangwal Freshwater Peoples jagun (country) of Bundjalung Nation of the Gold Coast.

I am a rich melting pot of exquisite cultures. I am a proud First Nations woman from many places who grew up in the Gold Coast Hinterland of Mudgeeraba and Springbrook. In my formative years I spent countless hours wandering through the ancient and scared Gondwana Rainforests not far from where your College resides. This is not my jagun(country)... this is my home of deep love, connection and belonging that I have known for 54 years.

dani vee Session 255 Tuesday 26 at 1.45pm Young Writers Dinner Tuesday 26 at 5.30pm Workshop Wednesday 27 at 9.30am

Dani Vee is a children’s author, podcaster and works in acquisitions and publicity at Larrikin House.

Dani’s picture books My EXTRAordinary Mum and the My EPIC Dad! series are both quirky and fun, written to engage kids in humour as well as provide the opportunity for discussions about stereotypes, resilience and going outside one’s comfort zone.

Dani also hosts the popular Words and Nerds podcast, where she chats to authors about their work. The podcast has had over one million plays and continues to be an important part of the literary landscape. Dani works in publishing in acquisitions, publicity and production management, giving her a broad and unique perspective of the industry. www.danivee.com.au

monda

9.15am to 10.00am NO.

EVENT

GRADES

PP to 2 3 to 6 4 to 7

114 115 116

Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott R.A. Spratt Traditional Cultures & Dance with Brendan Knight, Thomas Kelly & Mununjali Ngari Gabriel Bergmoser Robyn Dennison Jack Heath

111 112 113

6 to 8 8 to 10 10 to 12

10.15am to 11.00am NO.

121 122 123 124 125 126 127

EVENT

Sofie Laguna Katrina Nannestad Lev Grossman Immersive Storytelling with Richard Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Will Kostakis Creative Weaving & History with Erica Eurell & Kerry-Lee Thompson Career Pathway with Journalist & Author, Caroline Graham

GRADES

1 to 3 2 to 4 4 to 7 5 to 8

NO.

135 136 137

EVENT

10 to 12

GRADES

Jacqueline Harvey Pre-Prep to 2 Matt Stanton 3 to 6 Joel McKerrow 4 to 7 Immersive Storytelling with Richard 5 to 8 Kinnon. See page 26 for full details R.A. Spratt 6 to 8 Caleb Finn 8 to 11 Robyn Dennison 10 to 12

EVENT

145 146 147

Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott 2 to 4 Sofie Laguna 3 to 6 James Foley 4 to 7 Immersive Storytelling with Richard 5 to 8 Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Belinda Murrell 6 to 8 Gabriel Bergmoser 7 to 9 Will Kostakis 10 to 12

EVENT

Matt Stanton Lev Grossman Katrina Nannestad Caleb Finn Jack Heath Joel McKerrow

W13 - SMALL IDEAS - BIG STORIES with Jacq Ellem (for students aged 14+) $20 See page 21 for full details

prologue party 5.30pm Come along to the highlight of literary events on the Gold Coast. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and writing! The Parents' and Friends' Prologue Party is a great opportunity to meet some of Australia’s best authors and illustrators.

GRADES

Sustaina ble Event!

1.45pm to 2.30pm NO.

W12 - GET CREATIVE WRITING with Belinda Murrell (for students aged 12+) $20 See page 21 for full details

See page 24 for full details

NO.

151 152 153 154 155 156

W11 - CREATE YOUR OWN COMICS with James Foley (for students aged 8+) $20 See page 21 for full details

Don't miss a special performance plus your chance to meet and greet with Emma Memma!

12.45pm to 1.30pm 141 142 143 144

9.30am to 11.00am

7 to 9 8 to 10

11.15am to 12noon 131 132 133 134

student workshops

GRADES

3 to 6 4 to 7 5 to 8 7 to 9 7 to 9 9 to 11

We are striving to become a sustainable event; we encourage you to bring your own coffee cups and refillable water bottles. All waste should be taken to the Resource Recovery Station.

tuesda

storyfest.com.au

9.15am to 10.00am NO.

211 212 213 214 215 216

EVENT

GRADES

Lucas Proudfoot Pre-Prep to 2 James Foley 3 to 6 Belinda Murrell 4 to 7 R.A. Spratt 6 to 8 Caleb Finn 7 to 9 In conversation with Marina Kamenev 10 to 12

10.15am to 11.00am NO.

EVENT

224

Katrina Nannestad 2 to 4 Matt Stanton 3 to 6 Uncle Billy Family & Bowie Family with 5 to 8 Torres Strait Island Culture, Song & Dance Immersive Storytelling with Richard 5 to 8 Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Chloe Dalton 7 to 9 Will Kostakis 8 to 10 Robyn Dennison 9 to 12

221 222 223

225 226 227

GRADES

11.15am to 12noon NO.

231

232 233 234 235 236 237

EVENT

Animals & Country with Clinton Brewer & Thomas Kelly Belinda Murrell Illustrator Battle with Kate Isobel Scott, James Foley. Hosted by Jacqueline Harvey Immersive Storytelling with Richard Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Jack Heath Gabriel Bergmoser Lev Grossman

GRADES

studentworkshops student workshops 9.30am to 11.00am

W21 - STORYTELLING THROUGH ILLUSTRATION with Kate Isobel Scott (for students aged 8+) $20 See page 21 for full details W22 - ONE IDEA - TEN CONVERSATIONS with Jacq Ellem (for students aged 13+) $20 See page 21 for full details W23 - SONG WRITING with Josh Arnold (for students aged 8 to 12) $20 See page 21 for full details

literary lunch

2 to 4

12.30pm

3 to 6 4 to 7

Join us at the Literary Lunch to hear from Marina Kamenev as she addresses topics like sperm donation, single parents by choice, designer babies and the list goes on. Don't miss this engaging and thought provoking lunch.

5 to 8 5 to 8 8 to 10 9 to 11

The Ray Building Dining Room, Somerset College See page 29 for full details

12.45pm to 1.30pm NO.

241 242 243 244 245 246 247

EVENT

Joel McKerrow R.A. Spratt James Foley Immersive Storytelling with Richard Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Sofie Laguna Career Pathway: Podcast & Marketing with Jacq Ellem Caleb Finn

GRADES

3 to 6 4 to 7 4 to 7 5 to 8 8 to 10 8 to 12 10 to 12

251 252 253 254 255 256

EVENT

Lev Grossman Matt Stanton Jack Heath Art Design with Xoe Mazzoni, Zowie Baumgart and Isabella Eurell Career Pathway: Publishing & Editing with Larrikin House Chloe Dalton

5.30pm

GRAN SLAM LIVE (for adults) $35 See page 28 for full details

1.45pm to 2.30pm NO.

bonus events

GRADES

3 to 6 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 8 to 12 10 to 12

5.30pm

YOUNG WRITERS’ DINNER (for students aged 10+) $45 See page 26 for full details

wednesda

9.15am to 10.00am NO.

EVENT

314 315 316

Matt Stanton Jacqueline Harvey Traditional Cultures & Dance with Brendan Knight, Tiana-Graf & Mununjali Ngari Will Kostakis Hannah Kent Sofie Laguna

311 312 313

GRADES

2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 9 to 12 10 to 12

10.15am to 11.00am NO.

EVENT

325 326 327

Katrina Nannestad James Foley R.A. Spratt Immersive Storytelling with Richard Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Jack Heath Gabriel Bergmoser Jacq Ellem

321 322 323 324

GRADES

2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7 5 to 8 6 to 8 8 to 10 9 to 12

student workshops

9.30am to 11.00am W31 - HOW TO WRITE MAGIC with Lev Grossman (for students aged 14+) $20 See page 21 for full details W32 - WRITING HILARIOUS BOOKS with Larrikin House (for students 8+) $20 See page 21 for full details W33 - SONG WRITING with Josh Arnold (for students aged 8 to 12) $20 See page 21 for full details

11.00am to 1.00pm W34 - SUSTAINABLE STORYTIME: REWILDING WITH BOOKS with Megan Daley (for adults) $35 See page 28 for full details

11.15am to 12noon NO.

331 332 333 334 335 336 337

EVENT

GRADES

The 2024 Australian Children's Laureate 2 to 4 Kate Isobel Scott 3 to 6 Belinda Murrell 4 to 7 Immersive Storytelling with Richard 5 to 8 Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Seens & Teens Performance with Joel 8 to 10 McKerrow Sofie Laguna 9 to 11 Robyn Dennison 10 to 12

12.45pm to 1.30pm NO.

341 342 343

344 345 346 347

EVENT

James Foley Joel McKerrow ASLA & DANZ Announcement See page 26 for full details Immersive Storytelling with Richard Kinnon. See page 26 for full details Katrina Nannestad Music Creative with Sunny Luwe, Kiara Levinge & Peter Thornley Will Kostakis

GRADES

3 to 6 4 to 7 4 to 8 5 to 8 5 to 8 8 to 12 9 to 11

1.45pm to 2.30pm NO.

EVENT

351

Ask the Beekeepers with Megan Daley 2 to 4 and Murray Arkadieff 3 to 6 Josh Arnold Performance 5 to 7 Belinda Murrell 8 to 12 Career Pathway: Screen Writing with Gabriel Bergmoser 9 to 11 Robyn Dennison 10 to 12 Lev Grossman

352 353 354 355 356

GRADES

long table 5.30pm Join us at The Craig Bassingthwaighte Long Table as we dive into the compelling world of Hannah Kent, acclaimed Australian author.

Don't miss this enriching conversation.

See page 30 for full details

storyfest.com.au

student workshops monday 25 march W11 CREATE YOUR OWN COMICS! (for students aged 8+) $20 Join James Foley, award-winning author and illustrator of Stellarphant, Secret Agent Mole, Brobot and Chickensaurus, for a very special comic-creating workshop. Learn everything you need to know to start making your very own comic and graphic novel stories!

W12 GET CREATIVE WRITING WITH BELINDA MURRELL (for students aged 12+) $20 In this interactive, hands-on workshop, award winning author Belinda Murrell will inspire students to use their imaginations to take their writing to the next level. Topics explored include Inspiration, Character Development, Setting, Plotting, and Story Structure. Enjoy lively writing activities, brainstorming games and experiment with creative ideas from Belinda’s writing toolbox.

W13 SMALL IDEAS - BIG STORIES (for students aged 14+) $20 It’s time to get travelling! Microfiction, flash fiction, short fiction: You don’t have to write a novel to tell a really good story.

Join Jacq Ellem and get writing – because with a few tips and tricks you can turn a random idea, person, place or prompt into a plethora of possibilities. It could be the start of something bigger, an exploration into a new world or just stop there.

Any way you look at it, short scribbles can be a lot of fun. And what will spark your story? Absolutely anything!

tuesday 26 march W21 STORYTELLING THROUGH ILLUSTRATION (for students aged 8+) $20 Turn ideas into colourful tales with Kate Isobel Scott. Explore the exciting world of storytelling through illustration and unlock the boundless possibilities of your imagination!

W22 ONE IDEA - TEN CONVERSATIONS (for students aged 13+) $20 Podcasting is growing, but how do you start? One idea can evoke thousands of conversations, so if you want to be heard, get the basics, and a few insider secrets on how your sound can make it through the white noise and into the ears of your audience. You don’t need a studio set up, producers, music library or voicework to tell your story. You don’t even need a story or an idea! Come along and join Jacq Ellem from the award -winning Tales from Three Corners and discover what it is that you want to say.

W23 SONG WRITING (for students aged 8 to 12) $20 Join award-winning country musician Josh Arnold as he guides you through the art and process of songwriting. You will gain valuable insights into creating and crafting melodies and lyrics through creative collaboration.

wednesday 27 march W31 HOW TO WRITE MAGIC (for students aged 14+) $20 Lev Grossman renowned for his expertise in the fantasy genre, will guide you through a workshop on writing magic, and other unreal things, so that they feel real!

W32 WRITING HILARIOUS BOOKS (for students aged 8+) $20 (How to be funny, even when you think you're not!)

Join the King of Fun, publisher James Layton and laugh-out-loud children's author Dani Vee in this interactive and fastpaced workshop where you will learn the tips and tricks to write fun (or if you're already hilarious) FUNNIER stories!

W33 SONG WRITING (for students aged 8 to 12) $20 Join award-winning country musician Josh Arnold as he guides you through the art and process of songwriting. You will gain valuable insights into creating and crafting melodies and lyrics through creative collaboration.

FOOD TRUCKS COFFEE

THE DESIGN CENTRE YEAR 11 COMMON ROOM TOWERS QUAD PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS’ VOLUNTEERS ROOM THE BROWN BUILDING THE YARNING CIRCLE SPARTANS INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS THE RAY BUILDING DINING ROOM OUTDOOR VOLLEYBALL COURTS

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

WATER STATION

PARKING

RESOURCE RECOVERY STATION

TWEED BANORA DENTAL POETRY LANE

TICKETBOOTH

No single use coffee cups or plastic bottled water will be available at the Festival. All waste to go to the Resource Recovery Station

P

THE HARDBACK CAFÉ

OUTBACK PIONEERS MARQUEE

4

BOOKSHOP

FIRST AID

BROHIER LEARNING CENTRE 2.1 AND 2.2

MEETING POINT

m

3

FESTIVAL SITE ENTRY

i

THE VILLAGE ROADSHOW GREAT HALL

THE ROBERTS THEATRE

2

1

festival map

storyfest.com.au

Photos by MSP Photography

prologue party parents' and friends'

monday 25 march 5.30pm

Come along to the highlight of literary events on the Gold Coast. 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.

Don’t forget to come in your favourite book character costume and join in the Grand Parade at 6.00pm.

Variety of dinner and beverage options available for purchase.

Towers Quad, Somerset College

free event

storyfest.com.au

at the

Mo n d ay 25 3.15pm to March 7.00pm

Prologue Party!

Reserve your free family photo by booking online!

Ensure you catch Emma's special performance at 6.15pm in the Towers Quad, Somerset College

BOOK ONLINE!

storyfest.com.au Photo by Jared Lyons

extended programme immersive storytelling Come and hear Richard Kinnon, a famous outback storyteller, talk about life growing up in the outback far from a city.

He’ll tell you about his adventures, how a little kid dreamed big and how everyone can be the hero of their own life story.

Richard is a grazier who lives in Longreach Outback Queensland with his family and lots of animals. He also founded a tourism enterprise called Outback Pioneers where people can go and experience what the outback is really like and how the pioneers lived. You won’t want to miss Richard’s sessions, which are full of amazing stories and interesting outback facts! (for students in grades 5 to 8) $8

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 10.15am, 11.15am and 12.45pm Outback Pioneers Marquee

young writers' dinner Supported by Dr Harald Puhalla (General Surgeon) 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 - Gabriel Bergmoser, Jacq Ellem, James Foley, Jack Heath, Richard Kinnon, Will Kostakis, James Layton, Kate Isobel Scott and Dani Vee. Tuesday 5.30pm to 9.30pm $45 per person includes dinner and soft drink - Tickets are limited!

(for students in aged 10+)

gran slam performance Listen Up! A wild bunch of free-wheeling wordsmiths are hitting the stage for a slam poetry event with a difference. Hosted by award-winning performance poet Joel McKerrow alongside internationally renowned sound bending beat boxer, Tom Thum, Gran Slam Teens and Seens brings together an unlikely collective of razor-sharp teenagers and seniors or as we like to say ‘seenagers’.

Get ready to witness the business as they mic drop their hot-off-the-press poems, created in recent workshops, where they have honed their performance and poetry skills, and are now ready to battle it out to a lively audience and be in the running to take home a cash and publishing prize. Get ready to be moved and inspired at this entertaining event as you cheer along these wordsmiths of wisdom!

Session 335 - Wednesday 11.15am

(for students in grades 8 to 10) $8

ASLA & DANZ announcement Join in with all the fun and excitement as the winners of the very first Diversity in Australia and New Zealand Children's Book Award are announced live! Hosted by the Australian School Library Association and with a special guest appearance by the new Children's Laureate.

Session 343 - Wednesday 12.45pm

(for students in grades 4 to 8) $8

storyfest.com.au

Photos by MSP Photography

for the adults gran slam live!

Listen up! A wild bunch of free-wheeling wordsmiths are hitting the stage for a slam poetry event with a difference. Hosted by award-winning performance poet Joel Mckerrow alongside internationally renowned sound bending beat boxer, Tom Thum, Gran Slam Teens and Seens brings together an unlikely collective of razor-sharp teenagers and seniors or as we like to say ‘seenagers’.

Get ready to witness the business as they mic drop their hot-off-the-press poems, created in recent workshops, where they have honed their performance and poetry skills, and are now ready to battle it out to a lively audience and be in the running to take home a cash and publishing prize. Get ready to be moved and inspired at this entertaining event as you cheer along these wordsmiths of wisdom!

Tuesday 5.30pm to 7.00pm $35 per person includes pre-show drink and nibbles

sustainable storytime: rewilding with books Join author and educator Megan Daley in exploring the idea of 'rewilding' kids through the use of books about the natural world, with a particular focus on native Australian bees. Megan will share the story of her picture book, The Hive (Walker Books, 2024) and how a lifelong fascination with bees has been a key part of her life for many years now. She will discuss how books which explore the natural world and issues of sustainability are all-important in our early childhood settings, how best to use these titles, how to source the best titles on sustainability and nature and how native bees can be a part of early childhood settings and educational programs.

W34 - Wednesday 11.00am to 1.00pm $35 per person PD certificate provided

Sustaina ble Event!

(for adults)

We are striving to become a sustainable event; we encourage you to bring your own coffee cups and refillable water bottles.

storyfest.com.au

Supported by Dr Harald Puhalla (General Surgeon)

literary lunch

tuesday 26 march 12.30pm

$70 per person includes two course gourmet meal, wine and soft drink The Ray Building Dining Room, Somerset College Marina Kamenev, a former deputy arts editor at The Moscow Times for 3 years, is a journalist with over 14 years’ experience in the field. Marina is passionate about family, ethics, and assisted reproduction. Join Marina as she will be discussing her new book Kin, which explores the changing shape of family in the 21st century. She will also be addressing topics such as Couples without Children, Single Parents by Choice, Rainbow Families, Adoption and Sperm Donation, to name just a few.

Her articles have been featured in prestigious publications such as The Guardian, The Financial Times, Business Weeks, Marie Claire, The Monthly, Sunday Life, Slate and The Atlantic. In addition, she is a skilled content writer for Antelope Media, a Sydney-based copy writing agency and a highly skilled investigative researcher and interviewer. Born in Belgorod, Russia, Marina moved to Australia when she was six years old. Marina lives in Sydney with her husband and their two children.

Marina’s lunchtime ‘in-conversation’ promises to be hard-hitting, relevant, and entertaining. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this engaging and thought-provoking experience at the Storyfest Literary Lunch.

book online

storyfest.com.au

Supported by the Somerset Alumni Association

The Craig Bassingthwaighte

long table

wednesday 27 march 5.30pm

$150 per person all inclusive 3 course dinner, plus special guest performance Towers Quad, Somerset College

Hannah Kent is the brilliant young Australian author “of sad, stunning books”; books that grapple with, and reshape difficult stories from history, into new perspectives, and in the process, reveal universal truths, applicable to myriad situations.

Kent has, in her meteoric writing career, created an award-winning, debut novel, Burial Rites, a second novel, The Good People and her latest book, Devotion. 2013’s Burial Rites and 2016’s The Good People are pieces of historical fiction linked to real people and events in 19th-century Iceland and Ireland respectively. On exchange, in Iceland, Hannah wrote Burial Rites, a historical, bestselling novel, of the last person executed in Iceland, Agnes Magnus d' Óttir, in 1830. It has been translated into more than 30 languages and shortlisted for Australia’s Stella Prize and the UK’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her second novel, The Good People, set in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1825, is derived from newspaper articles of the time, and follows the story of Nora Leahy, tracing her tumultuous existence. Hannah’s third novel, Devotion, follows the journey of her teenage narrator, Hanne Nussbaum and her friend and love, Thea, who along with their Lutheran community, fled persecution in Prussia and built communities in Hahndorf and the Barossa Valley. The novel “reflects the irony of a community fleeing oppression, only to inflict it upon others in a new country”, on the lands of the Peramangk people. Hannah describes herself as a feminist, who believes in equal rights for both sexes, yet writing what interests her most; stories, often, of women, that are unfairly portrayed or ignored; due to a skewed patriarchal interpretation of history.

This is one ‘conversation’ that you will not want to miss.

book online

storyfest.com.au

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Originally presented at HOTA and developed in collaboration with the artist Victoria Reichelt

31

Supported by the Somerset Alumni Association

storyfest.com.au

|

Come and live the outback stories!

Meet storyteller Richard Kinnon. Hear incredible tales about the outback pioneering life. Come and experience it for yourself with a holiday in Longreach. You can gallop on a Cobb & Co stagecoach, see outback animals at working Nogo Station, cruise at sunset on a historic paddlewheeler, have a stockman’s dinner around the campfire – and much more.

Unique outback experiences Heritage-themed accommodation Traditional hospitality A warm welcome DISCOVER MORE AT OUTBACKPIONEERS.COM.AU OR PHONE 07 4658 1776

storyfest.com.au

themeparks.com.au

BARIATRIC AND GENERAL SURGERY

Pacific Private Clinic Suite 6.4, Level 6 123 Nerang St. Southport, QLD 4215 (07) 5667 9766 www.generalsurgerygoldcoast.com.au

sponsors & supporters

publishers

government Somerset Storyfest is supported by the City of Gold Coast.

Somerset Storyfest is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland

Cr William Owen-Jones - Division 2 Cr Glenn Tozer - Division 9 Cr Pauline Young - Division 12 Cr Gail O’Neil - Division 14

collaborative partners

green community partners

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.