Australia's Game

Big Big Sky, Geraldton, 2013

There is no doubt I love a festival, in particular, a writers/readers festival. My favourite? Too hard to call, but, if you were to pressure me for a short list, on it would be two I have just attended: Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival  in Geraldton and Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali.

Big Sky had been denied me for some years due to other engagements, or perhaps the lack of a book to talk about, whatever, I missed it. It is fine little festival full of good cheer and camaraderie. For this year’s event I again signed up for a quick flight over to the Abrolhos islands. And what better company: Ailsa Piper, Rosemary Sayer, Toni Jordan, Brenton McKenna, Mitch Becker, Di Wolfer.

 Malcolm, Ailsa, Diane, The Captain, Toni and Sue.

 

On the way we flew through a rainbow.

 And when we got there, such beauty.

One man, Brenton McKenna, is a brilliant graphic novelist, the other is an idiot.

Fine story tellers: Doust, Clarrie Cameron, Brenton McKenna, Boori Monty Pryor

Below: Geri Bar, Laureate Project Manager for Australia's Children;'s Laureate - Boori Monty Pryor.

 

Above: the full contingent, all named here: Big Sky Writers 2013

Ubud 2013

 

 

Jon Doust is Appearing In

• Tweaking the Truth
  • Workshops
  How often have you said, or heard someone say, 'I could never write that story. It would upset too many people'? Jon Doust has written two novels based on his life & the lives of people around him & is currently finishing a third. In Tweaking the Truth, he shows how to start with truths that can’t be told, then tweak & twist them to create a work of fiction that can sometimes reveal deeper truths. Half-day Event
• People of Letters - A letter to the thing I wish I'd written
  • Special Events
  In a world of the short & swift, of texts & Twitter, there's something special about a carefully composed letter. In homage to this most civilised of activities. From sellout shows across Australia & the US – & their very first Indonesian tour – we welcome Marieke Hardy & Michaela McGuire of Women of Letters. In this special event, Marieke & Michaela invite you to join them for an intimate afternoon with a handpicked selection of some of the Festival's wonderful women & men of letters. With a cocktail in your hand & the stunning sunset from Indus in front of you, listen as these remarkable people share their letters.
• Laki-laki Yang Lucu
  • Main Program
  How & why do these men use comedy to convey their stories? Are people born funny or do you have to work really hard to write genuinely funny material?
• Jalan Jalan
  • Special Events
  Come Jalan Jalan with some of the Festival's adventurous storytellers & intrepid travellers. Jalan Jalan means ‘to wander’ in Indonesian & this event is now an annual UWRF tradition. Join Claire Scobie, Jan Cornall & Jon Doust as they take you through the heart of Ubud, & then on a gentle stroll through the rice paddies as you head to the gorgeous Sari Organik. Over a delicious organic brunch & while looking out over Ubud’s stunning rice terraces you’ll hear stories from both near & far.
• The Second Sex Debate
  • Main Program
  'It would be folly to expect that women will ever dominate or even approach equal representation in a large number of areas simply because their aptitudes, abilities & interests are different for physiological reasons.’ – Tony Abbott (1978). The quote may be old, but in 2013 have beliefs really changed?