Thirty writers, illustrators and performers, 75 schools, 4000 students, teachers, volunteers, storms, howling winds, misplaced authors, missing cars, laughs, tears and an unforgettable sunset – that was this week’s Voices on the Coast.
And I loved being part of it.
It was so much fun sharing stories with students and hanging out with a heap of amazing authors. I laughed at Sarah Kinsella and Russell Fletcher’s
hilarious improvisation, and shed tears at Philip Wilcox’s poignant poetry. I loved Gregg Dreise’s didgeridoo performance and was touched by Children’s Laureate, Leigh Hobbs‘, sincere words on writing.
Now, I return to my desk a little fatigued but enriched by the incredible creative buzz of the festival.
Thank you to my gorgeous Immanuel Lutheran College introducers and the clever media crew for keeping my talks and workshops running smoothly and to the super-talented Samantha Wheeler for being such a great roomie at our comfy beachside digs – the Mirage, Alexandra Headlands.
A massive congratulations to coordinator Kelly Dunham on a wonderfully successful youth literature festival. You are a legend!
I look forward to seeing you again on the Sunshine Coast soon!
The full line-up for Voices on the Coast 2016: (Some didn’t make the photo but I’ll let you work out who was there and who wasn’t!) Deborah Abela, Christine Bongers, Janeen Brian, Peter Carnavas, Gary Crew, Shelley Davidow, Gregg Dreise, Kirsty Eagar, Brain Falker, Fleur Ferris, Julie Fison, Serena Geddes, Leigh Hobbs, Dean Jacobs, Andrew King, Sarah Kinsella, Russell Fletcher, Jan Latta, Rebecca Lim, Lynette Noni, James Phelan, Darrell Pitt, Leila Rudge, Katryna Starks, Ellen van Neervan, Nova Weetman, Samantha Wheeler, Philip Wilcox, Lesley Williams, Tammy Williams and Kelly Dunham (Festival Coordinator).
Julie Fison 