September 2016 proved to be an exciting two days and three nights – kept me from my Weekend Notes articles! Well done to Wendy O'Hanlon who had the vision to base the festival on the Ubud one in Indonesia! She invited several from Indonesia and around Australia with a theme that saw our First Australians, Conservation and Surfing cultures all featured throughout the weekend.
Herb Wharton © THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND (STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND) 2016
This years festival is scheduled for August 12th and 13th with feedback from the inaugural Festival ensuring the return of hot favourites such as the charismatic friendly slam poet Zohab Zee Khan and many more. Authors, poets, publishing, marketing, panels and workshops. With a Slam Poet championship, playwriting, Cool Harmonies Choir, musicians, songwriting - with great local talent joined by Australia-wide and international writers and artists.
This years team of
volunteers have big boots to fill to ensure that they are all over the social media again. Last year although there were two other local festivals plus a Writers Festival in Brisbane this one attracted a high quality and variety of writers, slam poets, photographers, media professionals and musicians – so those that attended had easy access to chat, get photos and autographs with the guests they came to see.
Preparation for the Festival
Children will be catered for with a fun fairy house building session, poets and too many artists to name – easier to visit
their website and read the program yourself. Other favourites were our own locals Lyndon Davis and the Gubbi Gubbi dancers with dance, stories and didgeridoos. Bridgette Davis and Lynne Kelly informed us about
Memory Code [Songlines] from both a scientific and a traditional viewpoint – one local councillor finally 'got' it; Zohab Zee Khan, slam poet will be running workshops and a championship; Julie Hyndman will again facilitate a fascinating workshop for emerging and published poets; Sarah Pye, Brentley Fraser and many others plus working on trauma through writing.
Bursary Students at the Festival Launch, Coolum Beach
The only complaint heard was that there was too much to choose from, so much happening, and following the great feedback and reaction from the Coolum community and Sunshine Coast public this Festival will only grow in popularity each year. So book now to ensure your piece of the action?
