Tickets set to launch soon for popular storytelling festival where all ages can be inspired

Festival-goers will have a chance to take in stories of the South Coast region and beyond when tickets are released for an upcoming storytelling festival.

StoryFest program director and president Adam Jeffrey said the 2023 show was set to be bigger than ever.

“With over 40 authors, musicians, filmmakers, we think it’s going to be an amazing weekend from 15th to 18th June,” he added.

The program focuses on storytelling across a range of formats, including music, film, documentaries, books and food.

The line-up includes appearances from Peter FitzSimons, Clementine Ford, Pip Williams, Robbie Arnott, Chris Hammer, Holly Wainwright, Adam Lia, Bronwyn Adcock, proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders and Clare Bowditch.

“One of the things that I’ve tried to do in the new role – I’ve been in the chair for just over 12 months – is to really make sure that the community understand [that] it’s their festival and consult as widely as we can,” Mr Jeffrey said.

“[It has been] just double checking that we’re finding the authors that are popular, both with our local audience and generally in the publishing community.”

Festival-goers will be able to take in a range of events over the multi-day festival, including panel discussions, a broadcast of an ABC Radio show, live performances, a menu designed especially for StoryFest, a showing of a new documentary and a heat of the Australian Poetry Slam.

Age won’t be a barrier for students, with the Schools Program returning to inspire generations of budding storytellers at four local primary schools and Ulladulla High.

This year also marks the first time that StoryFest events are staged at both the historical Milton Theatre and the Ulladulla Civic Centre after recent years saw venue closures.

The diversity in StoryFest’s program meant there would almost certainly be something for everyone, regardless of their background or interests, Mr Jeffrey said.

“I think stories are a part of everyone’s lives, whether it’s the amazing stories that our First Nations storytellers are going to bring to the festival, whether it’s young writers – and we’ve got a lot of young writers coming into StoryFest this year – to some of the more experienced people on our agenda,” he said.

Everyone could benefit from sitting down to hear someone tell a story, he said.

“I think we all learn from stories, I think we can get inspired by stories, I think we can just be entertained by different stories – and that’s what we’ve tried to build into this year’s program.”

Tickets will be publicly available from Tuesday, 4 April, following the release of Early Bird tickets to newsletter subscribers.

“I think the quality of people we’ve got coming should provide great incentive for people to get tickets early, book their accommodation and come to Milton and Ulladulla and Mollymook for the weekend!” Mr Jeffrey said.

Following the success of the inaugural StoryFest in 2019 and its sequel in 2021, Mr Jeffrey is confident this year will see a strong showing of support.

Beyond the offerings of StoryFest, Mr Jeffrey said there was plenty to keep visitors and South Coast residents alike entertained with the region’s attractions.

“Everyone thinks the South Coast is a great place to come during summer – and it is – but it’s also a fabulous time to visit during winter, so we want to show off the best of the South Coast while people are down here.”

Tickets can be purchased online.