I’m all talked out after a week with a brilliant bunch writers and illustrators at the Central Queensland Literary Festival – sharing stories with clever students and aspiring novelists by day, by night debating lofty ideas like: Can the Broncos beat the Eels? (It turns out they certainly can!)
Rockhampton put on perfect winter weather for the creative invasion, which meant that in between workshops, we absolutely had to visit Great Keppel Island. The trip turned into more of an adventure than an outing when we missed our ferry and had to hail a speed boat, but who’s complaining when the sun is out and there’s a stunning beach at the end of the journey.
The week also included a visit to the beautiful Botanic Gardens, a fantastic steak at the Criterion Hotel and a self-guided tour of Rockhampton’s bull statues.
Love you Rocky!
Ready for anything (even high-school students): Justin D’Ath, Meredith Costain, Robert Favretto, Julie Fison, Pamela Rushby, Michael Gerard Bauer, Royce Bond.
Photo credit: Marjory Gardner
MIA: Paul Collins and Elaine Ouston
Very much missed: Kevin Burgemeestre
A great big thanks to Elaine Ouston of Morris Publishing and Ford Street Publishing’s Paul Collins for inviting me to be part of this year’s festival and to the staff and students of St Peter’s Catholic Primary, St Paul’s Catholic Primary and Emmaus College for making us welcome. Loved sharing stories with you!
Thanks also to the supremely helpful staff at Freedom Fast Cats and the amazing managers of Apartments on Palmer.
Hope to see you soon!
Julie Fison 
And what a fabulous week it was! Great to meet you, Julie, and be part of it all!
Lovely to meet you too, Marjory. Good luck in Emerald!
A great week indeed! Thoroughly enjoyed the school visits and company of fellow writers and illustrators. Hope to be part of the CQLT again in the not so distant future – if you’re still up to my puns, Julie.
I’ll make sure I have some puns of my own and a few magic tricks up my sleeve, Robert.