General News
18 October, 2024
Inaugural festival in Newstead
The origin story of the next great local author or illustrator could begin this Sunday at the inaugural Newstead Young Writers Festival.
Culminating at the Newstead Arts Hub, the free event will host 27 authors, illustrators and cartoonists to help inspire the next generation of storytellers across various workshops, panels, story times and creative spaces.
The lineup of literacy experts includes best-selling author of the Tomorrow, When the War Began series John Marsden, award-winning illustrator Trace Balla and illustrator of the Little Golden Books Star Wars series Chris Kennett.
Event convener and primary school teacher Dean McLaren said the event will intrigue young people looking to turn a page with their literacy skills.
“Bringing back the idea of imagination and curiosity is really important for children and young adults to be able to write and tell their own stories,” he said.
“Since COVID, there has been a decline in literacy skills and in my experience as a teacher, I’ve noticed a decline in language acquisition in children and a lack of books in homes.
“The overwhelming response from all of the authors and illustrators has been incredible — we sold 91 free tickets in the first 10 minutes so there is a real demand for it in the community.”
The theme for the inaugural event, Gotta Get it Outta’ my Head, encourages young writers and illustrators to unleash their thoughts onto the page.
According to Mr McLaren, building confidence in young people to express their stories and ideas is vital in motivating any aspiring author.
“We want the festival to be an inspiration for the children and young adults,” he said.
“It’s not going to be like school with someone lording over them saying you can’t do this or that, we want them to use their imagination and get those ideas down.
“You can’t edit an idea when it’s in your head — often people will see young people struggle to get those ideas from their head and we are hoping presenters will be able to inspire development in those ideas.”
One of the workshop presenters, poet Leni Shilton, is also hosting an exhibition at the arts hub alongside her sister Pam French called Mother Mother, exploring the relationship between mums, daughters and sisters.
Ms Shilton said she hopes visitors will develop her love and appre-ciation for storytelling.
“My workshops are about how you can work with art and writing together and how one might inspire the other,” she said.
“I’m always writing or working on something and my sister is the same — her and I have collaborated on two other exhibitions and it’s a lovely process to just talk through our ideas.
“If children and young people can write in some way, then they are able to express themselves and commu-nicate their ideas with people.”
The Newstead Young Writers Festival this Sunday, October 20 will commence at 10 am to 4 pm at the Newstead Arts Hub.
For more information, visit www.newsteadyoungwritersfestival.com