Audio fiction specialist Jess Hamilton will facilitate a workshop at Tathra’s Headland Writers Festival. Photo: Supplied.
Headland Writers Festival is forging a reputation for assembling eclectic groups of exceptional authors, poets and thinkers whose works range from exploring the most pressing issues of our times to stories dating back thousands of years.
They span fiction and non-fiction, the philosophical and the humorous.
Professor Hugh White and author Linda Jaivin bring an element of realpolitik as they discuss Australia’s future role in the Asia-Pacific against the backdrop of the demise of America’s influence and erosion of rules-based order.
Coming from the other side of the world, poets and authors Samah Sabawi and Sara M Saleh’s talk on ”Dispossession and Diaspora” will focus on the Palestinian and Lebanese families forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in countries such as Australia. They will share their family history and the changing identities of Australia’s Palestinian and Lebanese diaspora. Their discussion will be moderated by Tyson Yunkaporta.
In another session, Mr Yunkaporta will talk about his latest book, Snake Talk. Co-written with Megan Kelleher, it takes readers on a journey around the world, describing ancient serpent lore, including in their own Aboriginal heritage.
Staying with the animal theme, environmental consultant and activist and former Bega Valley Shire councillor Roland Breckwoldt will discuss his book Dingo — the true story of Australia’s most maligned native animal. In the 1980s, he bred dingoes on his Tantawangalo cattle property.
The Last Days of Zane Grey, by local Vicki Hastrich, looks at the beginning of Eden’s tuna industry, which was largely sparked by the American author’s visits to the Far South Coast.
Author, cultural commentator, essayist and translator Linda Jaivin. Photo: Anna Hay.
This year’s festival introduces truth-telling sessions, particularly by the Traditional Custodians of Djiringanj Country. They aim to elevate First Nations voices.
Aunty Ellen Mundy and Uncle David Dixon will talk about the history of their family and the region. Historian Mark McKenna will draw out whether truth-telling is simply recounting history or a way to generate meaningful change for Aboriginal people. Young leader and teacher Marcus Mundy will bring a different perspective to the session.
On a lighter note, crime-fiction writers Toby Schmitz and Sulari Gentill feature in a discussion titled ”Destination Murder”, while Candelo Books’ Myoung Jae Yi will moderate a panel discussion called ”No Laughing Matter”.
“It is about humour in fiction and how humour can liberate us from situations that can usually leave us feeling heartbroken,” Mr Yi said.
One panellist is Lucy Nelson, whose short-story collection, Wait Here, is full of characters whose observations expose life’s fragility, as well as motherhood and childlessness.
Joining her is Rhett Davis, whose book Arborescence is a pithy and deeply insightful look at modern life and the climate crisis.
“It is a joyful read despite the subject matter,” Mr Yi said.
On a more philosophical note, essayists Quentin Sprague and Kim Mahood will talk about the intangible and tangible aspects of creativity and the creative life.
Their conversation will be complemented by two workshops teaching practical writing techniques.
Poet Omar Musa will perform with cellist Mariel Roberts at the festival’s opening night. Photo: Quinn Ryder.
Audio fiction specialist Jess Hamilton will facilitate the Working through Sound workshop. Mr Yi said a renaissance of radio plays was underway. The workshop will focus on active listening and creating audio fiction. It is an immersive and interactive introduction to writing for audio and considering sound as a character.
“It is a wonderful way to unlock creativity you would not necessarily consider when writing,” Mr Yi said.
In his Between the Lines workshop, poet and former psychologist David Stavanger will explore different techniques to take day-to-day experiences onto the page. The workshop will include structured exercises, group discussion, writing experiments and wordplays.
The winners of the 2025 Olga Masters Short Story Award, as judged by Bermagui author Bruce Nash, will be announced at the festival’s opening night on Friday, 17 October. There will also be a performance by poet Omar Musa and cellist Mariel Roberts.
The festival includes a young adults’ session called ”Kids are Alright”. Hosted by local author Gabbie Stroud, the session will feature Pip Harry, winner of the Children’s Book Council Award, and local author and librarian in Eden Jade Timms. Her recently published book Golden is set in a small coastal town reminiscent of Eden.
It is the fifth time that South East Arts, Candelo Books and Tathra Hotel have presented the Headland Writers Festival in Tathra. For tickets and the full festival program across 17 to 19 October, check the festival’s website.
