Meg and Tom Keneally appear at next weekend's Phillip Island Festival of Stories. By Catherine Watson
HOW does a small regional festival snare a Booker prize winner and a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
Like most things, it’s a matter of who you know. And so it was with Thomas Keneally and Dave Sweeney, guests of next weekend’s Phillip Island Festival of Stories.
HOW does a small regional festival snare a Booker prize winner and a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
Like most things, it’s a matter of who you know. And so it was with Thomas Keneally and Dave Sweeney, guests of next weekend’s Phillip Island Festival of Stories.
Chris Flynn, a member of the festival committee, happens to be a friend of Keneally’s daughter Meg. Another committee member knew someone who knew someone who knew Sweeney.
The days of festival organisers having to persuade guests are over. The first and second festivals established its credentials as one of the most diverse and interesting in the country.
Festival spokesperson Lois Gaskin said word had spread. “Instead of chasing people, we’re now being approached by writers who want to appear at the festival. That’s very exciting!”
The Keneally father and daughter will give the keynote address on the opening night. With esteemed local Bryan Dawe as MC, it’s certain to be an entertaining night.
The Keneallys return on the Saturday morning to discuss the Monsarrat series of historical crime novels they have co-written. The Booker prize winner will also announce a major new literary prize for non-fiction for the region.
Dave Sweeney is a foundation member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. At a time of heightened tension in the Middle East, he offers a glimpse of something better in a session called “From Horror to Hope”.
Now in its third year, the festival continues its tradition of featuring a strong lineup of indigenous writers and commentators.
The days of festival organisers having to persuade guests are over. The first and second festivals established its credentials as one of the most diverse and interesting in the country.
Festival spokesperson Lois Gaskin said word had spread. “Instead of chasing people, we’re now being approached by writers who want to appear at the festival. That’s very exciting!”
The Keneally father and daughter will give the keynote address on the opening night. With esteemed local Bryan Dawe as MC, it’s certain to be an entertaining night.
The Keneallys return on the Saturday morning to discuss the Monsarrat series of historical crime novels they have co-written. The Booker prize winner will also announce a major new literary prize for non-fiction for the region.
Dave Sweeney is a foundation member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. At a time of heightened tension in the Middle East, he offers a glimpse of something better in a session called “From Horror to Hope”.
Now in its third year, the festival continues its tradition of featuring a strong lineup of indigenous writers and commentators.
Uncle Jack Charles On Saturday afternoon renowned writer/actor/performer Uncle Jack Charles will be interviewed by local musician and storyteller Kutcha Edwards.
A conversation about sovereignty and treaty with Kutcha Edwards, Uncle Jack, Uncle Shane Clarke and Patrice Mahoney on Sunday morning promises to be a highlight.
Walkley Award winner and novelist Melissa Lucashenko will discuss her new novel Too Much Lip. She promises Aboriginal hillbilly humour, family trauma and more.
Sisters in Crime, Australia’s premier female crime writers association, will run a panel discussion with Olivia de Lesantis (15 year old winner of a Scarlett Stiletto award for crime writing), Ellie Marney and Anna Snoekstra.
Australia’s former ‘Strongest Man’, Commander Grant Edwards, tells his story of coming back from the brink in The Strong Man.
Actor and author Michael Veitch will talk about his book Hell Ship – The true story of the plague ship Ticonderoga, one of the most calamitous voyages in Australian history.
Sea Shepherd Australia’s Jeff Hansen will talk about his time at sea and the pursuit of the Japanese whaling ships.
Lois Gaskin says that while the festival has plenty of sparkle, it’s not all about the big names. “We’re also fostering local talent and diversity to put the spotlight on stories that are not often told around equality, multiculturalism, youth and disability,” she said.
Expect to be entertained, exhilarated, confronted and moved. And with comic doyenne Denise Scott the last session of the show, you can count on leaving the festival with a smile on your face.
Phillip Island Festival of Stories, Friday July 26 - Sunday July 28. Cowes Cultural Centre. Tickets: $80 for a weekend pass/ opening night $55/$20, Saturday $55/$20, Sunday $50. Bookings: https://pifestivalofstories.com/tickets/
A conversation about sovereignty and treaty with Kutcha Edwards, Uncle Jack, Uncle Shane Clarke and Patrice Mahoney on Sunday morning promises to be a highlight.
Walkley Award winner and novelist Melissa Lucashenko will discuss her new novel Too Much Lip. She promises Aboriginal hillbilly humour, family trauma and more.
Sisters in Crime, Australia’s premier female crime writers association, will run a panel discussion with Olivia de Lesantis (15 year old winner of a Scarlett Stiletto award for crime writing), Ellie Marney and Anna Snoekstra.
Australia’s former ‘Strongest Man’, Commander Grant Edwards, tells his story of coming back from the brink in The Strong Man.
Actor and author Michael Veitch will talk about his book Hell Ship – The true story of the plague ship Ticonderoga, one of the most calamitous voyages in Australian history.
Sea Shepherd Australia’s Jeff Hansen will talk about his time at sea and the pursuit of the Japanese whaling ships.
Lois Gaskin says that while the festival has plenty of sparkle, it’s not all about the big names. “We’re also fostering local talent and diversity to put the spotlight on stories that are not often told around equality, multiculturalism, youth and disability,” she said.
Expect to be entertained, exhilarated, confronted and moved. And with comic doyenne Denise Scott the last session of the show, you can count on leaving the festival with a smile on your face.
Phillip Island Festival of Stories, Friday July 26 - Sunday July 28. Cowes Cultural Centre. Tickets: $80 for a weekend pass/ opening night $55/$20, Saturday $55/$20, Sunday $50. Bookings: https://pifestivalofstories.com/tickets/