SHwf 2014 Gallery
The 2014 Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival took place on Friday 11th – Sunday 13th July at the iconic Bradman Museum in Bowral. The festival opened with Fest Factor, the Southern Highland’s talent quest for poets, singer-songwriters, comedians and writers, with the theme of BLOOD. First place went to poet Ann Eyers. The festival also included the Sydney Writer’s Festival in the Highlands in May, also at the Bradman Museum, with a packed theatrette.
The festival featured some of Australia’s greatest writers, thinkers and performers including Alex Broun, John Baxter, Mike Carlton, The Hon. Bob Carr, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Thomas Derricott, Jesse Fink, Nikki Gemmell, Carol George, Laura Greaves, Mark Greig, Gideon Haigh, Valerie Khoo, Dominic Knight, Hugh Mackay, David Malouf, Michelle Morgan, Richard Osborn, Michael Parker, Samantha Tidy and Wenee Yap. The Literary Diner was prepared by Stefano Manfreddi and Biota Dining.
A special shout-out to our official photographers Dean Golja and Greg Jackson for capturing the Festival so beautifully. Enjoy the photos from this year.
SWF in the highlands - Sunday 25 may
Terry Hayes
Terry Hayes spoke with Lisa Forrest about his debut novel I Am Pilgrim. Terry is known for having written the screenplays for Mad Max, Dead Calm, and Bodyline.
John Baxter
Australian author and frankophile John Baxter has lived in Paris, his home and inspiration, for 25 years. Many of his books detail his renowned literary walks around Paris.
Friday 11 July
Fest Factor
The Southern Highlands’ annual talent quest opened the festival for the weekend with the theme – BLOOD. Emceed by ABC Radio broadcaster, Nick Rheinberger, poets, scribes, authors and singer-songwriters strutted their stuff on the stage for the chance to win some great prizes. First prize went to poet Ann Eyers who performed an impressive and unique work - her very first time in front of an audience.
Saturday 12 July
A Psychologist’s point of View - Hugh Mackay
Hugh Mackay is a social researcher and psychologist with a reputation as an acute observer of the human condition, which gives his novels a unique perspective. He discussed his sixth and latest novel, Infidelity with Jenny Strachan.
The Process of Writing and Publishing A Book - Wenee Yap & Thomas Derricott
Conducted by author Wenee Yap and journalist Thomas Derricott, the co-founders of The Ducky Mafia, this workshop provided participants with professional perspective on how to write and publish a book: structure, research, drafting, editing, and self-promoting. The workshop ran twice through this day, with a total of 40 participants.
Young At Heart - Michelle Morgan
Michelle Morgan discussed her first novel, Racing the Moon, as a novel for teens and the young at heart, and tips on writing for the teen market.
Nikki Gemmell
Nikki Gemmell, author of the international phenomenon The Bride Stripped Bare and The Kensington Reptilarium, talked about her writing process and exploring different forms of writing with Lisa Forrest.
Conversations to Have With Your Kids - Michael Parker
The author of Talk with Your Kids: Ethics and Talk with Your Kids: Conversations about Ethics, Michael Parker discussed how parents need to think consciously about how to raise kids as ethical thinkers and decent members of society with Kylie Matthews.
80 Years Young! - Chris Wallace-Crabbe
As one of Australia’s leading poets, Chris Wallace-Crabbe discussed his journey as a writer and whether it is possible to make a living from poetry. Chris is one of Australia’s most celebrated poets, and Emeritus Professor in The Australian Centre at the University of Melbourne. Mark Tredinnick moderated the session.
Diary of a Former Prime Minister - Hon. Bob Carr
For 18 months in 2012 as the Australian Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Bob Carr kept a diary documenting the whirl of high-stakes events on the world stage that he experienced. He has since published this book, Diary of a Foreign Minister, providing a fascinating account into the Gillard and Rudd Governments. All author proceeds from the book went to Interplast Australia and New Zealand, a not-for-profit organisation which funds and delivers reconstructive surgery on poor children in developing countries. Peter Lloyd conducted the interview.
Literary Dinner
Stefano Manfreddi
The Literary Dinner was prepared by award winning chef Stefano Manfreddi at Bowral’s two-hatted restaurant, Biota Dining, with sensational wins from Cuttaway Hill Estate. During the dinner, author and comedian Dominic Knight and critically acclaimed author and journalist Jesse Fink discussed the issue of modern masculinity.
SUNDAY 13 July
Hitting A literary Six - Gideon Haigh & Mark Greig
In honour of the SHWF’s new home, the Bradman museum, and in respect for The Don, this session explored cricket writing with award winning journalist and cricket writer Gideon Haigh and Mark Greig. Gideon has authored 30 books, 20 of them about cricket, while Mark has just written his first cricket book about his father, the late English Test captain and commentator, Tony Greig.
How to Write a 10-min Play - Alex Broun
In the past decade, 10 minute plays have become increasing popular through the creation of Short+Sweet, now the “biggest little play festival in the world”. Short+Sweet has made a huge impact on the Australian and international theatre scene by developing new, original work with emerging artists and providing a platform for established artist to showcase their talents. One of the drivers behind Short+Sweet, Alex Broun, ran this intensive playwriting workshop.
How To Get Published - Panel Discussion
In this panel discussion, Laura Greaves, a newly published first-time author, Valerie Khoo, author and founder of the Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC) and Carol George, Commissioning Editor at Penguin Books, explored the art of writing and publishing options, and gave their tips and perspectives on how to get published. William Verity moderated the panel.
Finding Inspiration - Samantha Tidy
Samantha Tidy’s latest novel The Happiness Jar was inspired by her experience living in several places around Western Australia, including a remote Aboriginal community. Samantha discussed with MODERATOR how her life journey, including as an English and French teacher, reflects into her own writing.
The Creative Brain - Richard OSborn
After 30 years in the advertising industry, rising to Managing Director of George Patterson, the largest advertising agency in Australia, Richard Osborn decided it was time to pursue his love of writing. Richard talked with Nick Rheinberger about his latest work The Purifier Trilogy, his creative process, marketing, the media, and the Mad Men phenomenon.
Why he loves History - Mike Carlton
Mike Carlton is one of Australia’s best-known broadcasters and journalists; he also has a passion for Australian naval history. According to him, a nation that does not acknowledge its history is not truly a nation. Mike discussed why understanding history is essential - to avoid spiritually, intellectually and socially impoverishment. Lucy Palmer conducted the interview.
Closing Remarks
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to the wonderful team from the Bradman Museum, we couldn't have done it without you.
A huge thank you to our Festival Partners including: The Bookshop Bowral, The Empire Cinema, 97.3 ABC Illawarra, Southern Highland News, King Computers, Highlife, Creative & Co, The Ducky Mafia, Inland Pictures, The Rift, Biota Dining, Berkelouw Books, Alexandra Springett, Highland Printing, FineFishMusic, Pitt Street Poetry, Rob & Paula McLean, ADFAS, Harper Entertainment, and Cuttaway Hill, Highland Printing, Savior Faire, Banjo’s Run, and the Bowral Cafe. Without your generosity, kindness and support the Festival could not continue.`
Finally the biggest, most heartfelt thanks to my amazing little team of volunteers, James Norton (my incredible Art Director and 2IC), Saneia Norton (my brilliant Front of House Manager), Sarah Dowland, Rachel Armstrong and of course my mum Roz - you make the Festival a reality! Thank you for your time and extraordinary expertise in making the SHWF so unique, along with your grace and sensational good senses of humour!