About us

The Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival (SHWF) was established in 2012 in the NSW country town of Bowral. Over the years the SHWF has attracted some of Australia’s leading writers and thinkers. Past speakers have included Mike Carlton, Robert Dessaix, Nikki Gemmell, David Malouf and Don Watson. 

The SHWF is produced by Southern Highlands-based Creative & Co, a dynamic, collaborative group of artists working together to craft unique entertainment and retail experiences. The core team includes:

Meet the team

Michaela Bolzan

Festival Director

Michaela is the brainchild behind Creative & Co, the Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival and the Southern Highlands Festival of Lights. As a writer, producer, director and occasional actor, Michaela loves exploring creativity across various platforms. Michaela has a BA Hons (Drama) from the University of Newcastle and is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Playwrights’ Studio. This will be the eleventh SHWF Michaela has programmed; she has also been the Artistic Director of the Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival and the Canberra Writers’ Festival.

James Norton

Art Director

James is the creative brain behind the look and feel of Creative & Co and all the events we produce. He is a freelance designer who specialises in visual identity design for social and renewable tech enterprises. James is also the creator of the story world The Adventures of Little James that inspires people to appreciate the small things in life.

Saneia Norton

Front of House Manager

Saneia looks forward to making your Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival seamless and fun. When she’s not taking tickets, she runs Saneia Norton Design Communication, empowering designers to become stronger communicators. She hosts the podcast Dig Beneath Design, uncovering successful communication strategies used by top designers.