Children's Book Week 2009

Celebrating Children's Book Week at the Abbottsford Convent with fellow scribes and illustrator. Clare Saxby is proudly showing of her new book Sheep Goat and the Creaking Gate, Mark Austin is looking dashing with Ringle Tingle Tiger and Jaqui Grantford is putting the finishing touches on her teddy bear painting. I am squeezed in the middle with Phar Lap who is sporting a lovely sticker - an Eva Pownall book of note! It was a long day, crowds of children and families enjoyed the activities and shows. The Convent is the perfect venue for Book Week and the weather was spectacular. The committee, who organise this event, are all volunteers, the authors and illustrators donate their time and energy and it is astonishing how it all comes together on the day. Looking a little crazy in this pic, it should be noted that all the authors and illustrators at the the CBC celebrations are extraordinarily talented and creating wonderful books as their websites attest.

http://www.jacquigrantford.com/ http://members.optusnet.com.au/merck/ http://www.ringletingletiger.com.au/

Melbourne Writers Festival

AWAW - the Anthology of Award Winning Australian Writing 2009 was launched at the Melbourne Writers Festival yesterday. Excited authors, friends and families packed out the Festival Club, some folk traveling across the continent to celebrate. This anthology includes work from the north, south, east and west of the country. As the recipient of both the Ada Cambridge biographical short story prize (Williamstown Literary Festival) and the Pat Glover Memorial Storytelling Prize (Port Fairy Folk Festival), I have two pieces in the anthology. The collection includes stories that are based on the oral tradition and as I wear two hats - a literary one and a speaking one - I am delighted to say that my stories cover both my millinery proclivities! Here I am holding a copy for you to see alongside David Tenenbaum, Managing Editor of Melbourne Books. Thanks to Adolfo and Marleena from MB. I imagine rounding up all these authors was like herding a bunch of cats.

http://www.melbournebooks.com.au/mbooks/index.html

Daylesford: Words in Winter August 2009

In this, the 200^th year since the birth of Darwin, the eighth annual WORDS IN WINTER Celebrations chose the theme – Evolution. The towns of Clunes, Creswick, Trentham and Daylesford joined to produce a program of poetry, theatre, book chat storytelling and more. The Storytelling Guild (Vic) played a significant role in the festivities with Anne E Stewart designing four events.

OPEN MIC for poets, writers and storytellers. Hosted by local philosopher and writer Basil Eliades.

TWO OF THE OLDEST FAIRIES IN THE BUSINESS Daylesford Library, Matteo and Mary Lou entertained a delighted crowd of children for over an hour.

SPOOKS SPECTRES AND SPIRITS. The evening began with guild member David Demant, from Museum Victoria, treating us to a magic lantern slide show. After a short break, Matteo took charge and set the scene for the graveyard and horror tales that followed. Mary Lou shed her fairy costume and told a wicked tale that ended well. We have all been warned - never ask a neighbour for a cabbage! Anne E Stewart shared a serious tale of loss – The Lost Children of Daylesford. This story reflects Anne’s deep connection to the area and compassion for those who have lost a loved one in tragic circumstances.I wound up with the gothic tale of Bold Lady Mary - she was a bold one indeed!

HISTORY IN THE MAKING. In the front room of the Daylesford Museum, surrounded by photographic portraits, Anne discussed her work as a storyteller in the local region, shared a few yarns and invited comments and discussion.

Special thanks to the WORDS IN WINTER people of Daylesford who made us so welcome. Looking fwd to 2010.