SATURDAY
BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL
MAIN PROGRAM
Welcome to Culture
UNCLE GARY WILLIAMS, DJON MUNDINE, SETH JORDAN
In Conversation
S. SHAKTHIDHARAN with ADAM NORRIS
The View from the Stage
RICHARD ROXBURGH, JACK THOMPSON
Fiction and Friction
STEVE TOLTZ, DEBRA ADELAIDE, NAMILA BENSON
The Future We Choose
AMY REMEIKIS, NATALIE KYRIACOU, VIRGINIA TRIOLI
In Conversation
TRACEY HOLMES with DEBBIE SPILLANE
The Crime Scene
BRYAN BROWN, MICHAEL ROBOTHAM, ADAM NORRIS
Finding the Words
TARA RAE MOSS, LEE KOFMAN, MICHAELA KALOWSKI
In Conversation
BOB BROWN with HANNAH MOLONEY
In Conversation
ZOE TERAKES with ELISA HALL
Inside the Room
BOB CARR, IAN KEMISH, AMY REMEIKIS
The Shape of Home
TYREE BARNETTE, SARA HADDAD, VIRGINIA TRIOLI
In Conversation
STAN GRANT with MICHAELA KALOWSKI
Poetry and Resistance
EVELYN ARALUEN, OMAR MUSA, COURTNEY COLLINS
SUNDAY
BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL
MAIN PROGRAM
Nourishing the Roots
MINDY WOODS, HANNAH MOLONEY, SARAH MACDONALD
In Conversation
EVELYN ARALUEN with JUDI MORISON
In Conversation
BOB CARR with MICHAELA KALOWSKI
Anatomy of a Mystery
TARA RAE MOSS, IAN KEMISH, AMY LOVAT
Global Voices
OMAR MUSA, SARA HADDAD, S. SHAKTHIDHARAN, NAMILA BENSON
Frontlines
DAVID LINDENMAYER, NATALIE KYRIACOU, ALEX CAMINER
Messy, Absurd, Human
STEVE TOLTZ, ZOE TERAKES, AMY LOVAT
In Conversation
MINDY WOODS with TYREE BARNETTE
Protectors of the Wild
BOB BROWN, DAVID LINDENMAYER, SARAH MACDONALD
In Conversation
MICHAEL ROBOTHAM with DEBRA ADELAIDE
Holding the Line
AMY REMEIKIS, STAN GRANT, TRACEY HOLMES
Windows, Mirrors, and the Writer Laid Bare
LEE KOFMAN, DJON MUNDINE, ELISA HALL
Maam Gaduying Park
THE FRINGE
Bigger, louder, still free!
SATURDAY
10.30 a.m. - 11.20 a.m.
The Songwriter’s Notebook
Songwriters come together to share the stories behind their music, exploring how lived experience is transformed into lyrics, melody and performance. This intimate discussion unpacks the creative process from first inspiration to finished song, and the different approaches each artist takes to tell stories through music.
Featuring: Portia Hackett (BAHI), Joshua McGovern (Lttle Kng), Michael Laurie (Maanyung).
Facilitator: Claudia Schmidt.
11.30 a.m. - 12.20 p.m.
Muurrbay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative
Celebrating 40 years of Muurrbay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative, this session honours the ongoing work of language revitalisation across seven Aboriginal communities on the Mid North Coast. Speakers reflect on the importance of language as a living cultural practice, sharing stories of teaching, learning and cultural continuity.
Featuring: Micklo Jarrett, Gary Williams, Steve Morelli.
Facilitator: Nell Higgins.
1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.
How to Research
Writers and researchers share practical tools and approaches for uncovering stories, verifying information, and building depth and authenticity in their work. They will explore the balance between archival research, interviews and lived experience, offering insight into how strong narratives are built.
Featuring: Ann-Maree Seymour, Melissa Richardson, Erna Walraven.
Facilitator: Kevin Evans.
2.30 p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Poetry Slam Encore
A celebratory follow-up to Friday night’s Poetry Slam, where host Jason John sits down with the winning poets to reflect on their work, inspiration and performance experience, followed by an encore presentation of their winning poems.
Facilitator: Jason John.
3.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Poetry Open Mic
A welcoming and inclusive space for poets of all levels to share their original work in front of a live audience. Hosted by Robyn Wren, this session celebrates spoken word, storytelling and community expression in an open and supportive environment.
Featuring: Open mic participants.
Facilitator: Robyn Wren
SUNDAY
10.30 a.m. - 11.20 a.m.
The Songwriter’s Notebook
Songwriters come together to share the stories behind their music, exploring how lived experience is transformed into lyrics, melody and performance. This intimate discussion unpacks the creative process from first inspiration to finished song, and the different approaches each artist takes to tell stories through music.
Featuring: Portia Hackett (BAHI), Joshua McGovern (Lttle Kng), Michael Laurie (Maanyung).
Facilitator: Claudia Schmidt.
11.30 a.m. - 12.20 p.m.
Muurrbay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative
Celebrating 40 years of Muurrbay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative, this session honours the ongoing work of language revitalisation across seven Aboriginal communities on the Mid North Coast. Speakers reflect on the importance of language as a living cultural practice, sharing stories of teaching, learning and cultural continuity.
Featuring: Micklo Jarrett, Gary Williams, Steve Morelli.
Facilitator: Nell Higgins.
1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.
How to Research
Writers and researchers share practical tools and approaches for uncovering stories, verifying information, and building depth and authenticity in their work. They will explore the balance between archival research, interviews and lived experience, offering insight into how strong narratives are built.
Featuring: Ann-Maree Seymour, Melissa Richardson, Erna Walraven.
Facilitator: Kevin Evans.
2.30 p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Poetry Slam Encore
A celebratory follow-up to Friday night’s Poetry Slam, where host Jason John sits down with the winning poets to reflect on their work, inspiration and performance experience, followed by an encore presentation of their winning poems.
Facilitator: Jason John.
3.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Poetry Open Mic
A welcoming and inclusive space for poets of all levels to share their original work in front of a live audience. Hosted by Robyn Wren, this session celebrates spoken word, storytelling and community expression in an open and supportive environment.
Featuring: Open mic participants.
Facilitator: Robyn Wren
FRIDAY
BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL
