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
MICHAEL CATON, JACK THOMPSON
Fiction and Friction
STEVE TOLTZ, DEBRA ADELAIDE, NAMILA BENSON
The Future We Choose
AMY REMEIKIS, NATALIE KYRIACOU, ANTON ENUS
In Conversation
TRACEY HOLMES with DEBBIE SPILLANE
The Crime Scene
BRYAN BROWN, MICHAEL ROBOTHAM, ADAM NORRIS
Finding the Words
LEE KOFMAN and MICHAELA KALOWSKI
In Conversation
BOB BROWN with HANNAH MOLONEY
In Conversation
ZOE TERAKES with SEAN SLAVIN
Inside the Room
BOB CARR, IAN KEMISH, AMY REMEIKIS
The Shape of Home
TYREE BARNETTE, SARA HADDAD, ANTON ENUS
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
MICHAEL ROBOTHAM, 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, SEAN SLAVIN
Maam Gaduying Park
THE FRINGE
Bigger, louder, still free!
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. - 2.20 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.
Inside The Water Cart
A conversation exploring the story, themes and adaptation of The Water Cart, examining how the work moves from page to performance. Writer Malcolm McFarlane and actor Jack Thompson discuss the creative process, collaboration and the challenges of bringing narrative to life on stage.
Featuring: Malcolm McFarlane, Jack Thompson
11.30 a.m. - 12.20 p.m.
The Future of Food: Regenerative Farming in Practice
A discussion exploring regenerative agriculture, soil health and ethical food systems, grounded in local farming experience. The panel reflects on how food production can strengthen community resilience and environmental care, while reconnecting people with where their food comes from.
Featuring: Georgina Baker, Nidya Bellido, Rachel Ward
Facilitator: Kevin Evans
1.30 p.m. – 2.20 p.m.
A Punk Almanac
Music writer and broadcaster Michael Krilich explores the sounds, scenes and cultural legacy of 1970s and ’80s New Wave and post-punk, reflecting on the artists, movements and underground energy that shaped an era and continue to influence music today.
Featuring: Michael Krilich
Facilitator: Steve Coates
2.30 p.m. - 3.20 p.m.
From Page to Stage
This lively panel discussion explores how stories are adapted from the page into performance for theatre, film and screen. Writers, actors and creators share insights into collaboration, interpretation and the creative process of bringing narrative to life across different media.
Featuring: Courtney Collins, Nick Boshier, Amy Bradney George, Seton Pollock
Facilitator: Kye Ruigrok
FRIDAY
BELLINGEN MEMORIAL HALL
