Clunes Booktown Festival

Benefits of your lifetime membership are - funding to support our Literacy in Schools program & Booktown on Sunday - 10% discount on all ticketed Booktown events - 10% discount on all books purchased at Booktown on Sunday - invitations to the annual Booktown welcoming event & post Booktown Party - acknowledgement by name in the annual Booktown program

Writing for Children (A Panel for Grown-ups) with Leigh Hobbs, Andy Griffiths, Ann James. Chaired by Dan Nixon Presented by Melbourne Young Writers’ Studio

When it comes to fashion, we didn’t always have a fetish for newness. Join historian Robyn Annear and mending advocate and author of Modern Mending, Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald for an afternoon of fickle fashion! Chaired by Chris Gordon Presented by Readings

Jane Sullivan is a Melbourne-based writer specialising in literary journalism. She has worked for The Age as a reporter, feature writer and editor. Jane won the inaugural Australian Human Rights Award for journalism. Join Jane in conversation with Tess Brady.

Andy Griffiths Climbs A Tree - Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors. He and illustrator Terry Denton have collaborated on more than 30 bestselling books since their first title, Just Tricking, was published in 1997. Their much-loved Treehouse Series has been embraced by children around the world and is now published in more than 35 countries. This is a free event but space is limited so booking is advised to avoid disappointment

Growing It - Sprinter and Sprummer. Spring starts on the first day of September, right? Not if Dr Tim Entwisle, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and the author of 'Sprinter and Sprummer', has anything to do with it. Here he argues we should scrap the European approach and adopt a five season model. Join Tim Entwisle in conversation with Angus Stewart.

In pursuit of an already self-isolating career is the rural writer further disadvantaged? Panel Discussion with Kirsten Alexander (Riptides), Maya Linnell (Wildflower Ridge), J P Pomare (In the Clearing) Chaired by Robert Gott

Join award winning children's and YA author, Nova Weetman for a fun and informative workshop on Kids Writing Workshop. (9-14 year olds)

Drawing Stories with Leigh Hobbs. Leigh Hobbs is an artist and author best known for his children’s book characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Mr Chicken and Mr Badger. This is a free event but space is limited so booking is advised to avoid disappointment

All the Ways to Write the Truth with Sean O’Beirne (A Couple of Things Before the End: Stories) Chris Flynn (Mammoth) and Bruce Venables (Eureka Run) Chaired by Jane Sullivan

Sunburnt Country – Regenerative Farming. 200 years of clearing and mechanisation has had a serious impact on Australia's agricultural land. Regenerative agriculture practitioners seek to repair that through agricultural practices. Join us for a topical panel discussion with Charles Massy and David Pollock. Chaired by Chris Pollock

Garry Disher has published fifty titles across multiple genres. His last standalone novel, Bitter Wash Road, won the 2016 German Crime Prize, a prize he has previously won twice. In 2018 he received the Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award. Join Garry Disher in conversation with Andrew Masterson.

Creating Characters with Leigh Hobbs. Leigh Hobbs is an artist and author best known for his children’s book characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Mr Chicken and Mr Badger. This is a free event but space is limited so booking is advised to avoid disappointment

On the day that became known as Black Saturday, one man deliberately lit two fires near the small town of Churchill, Gippsland, then sat on the roof of his house and watched the flames. The Arsonist, by the acclaimed author of The Tall Man, is the story of that man, the fire he lit, and the people who were killed. Join author Chloe Hooper in conversation with Caleb Cluff Presented by the Ballarat Courier

Celebrating Women’s Crime Writing Since 1991, join Sisters in Crime Leah Swann & Anna George for a talk about how the passions surrounding motherhood can range from deep love, self-sacrifice and intense protectiveness to murderous rage – and why it has been such a fertile (and deadly) theme for crime fiction. Chaired by Anne Buist Presented by White Ribbon Ballarat

Historical Fiction Judy Nunn in conversation with Bruce Venables Chaired by Kerrie O’Brien

A warm, moving and revealing collection of stories and memories about Bob Hawke from across the nation, edited by his eldest daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke. Chaired by Catherine King MP

Sally Rugg is an LGBTIQ rights activist, writer and public speaker. She is Executive Director at political activist group change.org, and was previously Campaign Director at GetUp where she lead the campaign for marriage equality for five years. Join Sally in conversation with Chloe Hooper

Coming out, coming-of-age, connections and stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers with Michael Earp, Nina Kenwood and Alison Evans Chaired by Hilary Harper (ABC Life Matters)

Eminent economist and climate change expert Ross Garnaut discusses emission reduction, low carbon opportunities with environmental scientist Paul Hardisty. Chaired by Mark Ogge

Don Watson's books, articles and essays have been widely acclaimed. His bestselling titles include Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: Paul Keating Prime Minister, which won the Age Book of the Year and Non-Fiction Prizes, the Brisbane Courier Mail Book of the Year, the National Biography Award and the Australian Literary Studies Association's Book of the Year. Join Don in conversation with critic Sean O'Brirne.

Professor Christina Twomey joins Chris Flynn to talk about the practicalities and pitfalls of book reviewing. Chaired by Peter Rose Presented by ABR

Now in his late-eighties, and listed by the National Trust as a ‘Living Treasure’, Geoffrey Blainey reflects on his humble beginnings as the son of a Methodist Minister and school teacher, one of five children, and a carefree childhood spent in rural Victoria, from Terang to Leongatha, Geelong to Ballarat. Join us for an unforgettable discussion on History, Writing and Books. We present Geoffrey Blainey in conversation with Prof. Keir Reeves

Power of the People: Book Clubs on Authors, Authors on Book Clubs, and Book Clubs about Themselves. What’s the value of the thousands of Australian book clubs? Is their word of mouth more important than professional reviews? What can authors and book clubs learn from each other? Also, key takeaways from Book Clubs Friday — the first national symposium on book clubs held on May 1 in Clunes. Audience and panel discussion led by Leslie Falkiner-Rose

Join two of Australia’s leading crime writers, Robert Gott & Garry Disher, talking about their books, their criminals and the good guys that catch them. Chaired by Jane Sullivan

The ancient art of fermenting is finding new popularity again as modern science and trends discover the importance of gut health for overall wellbeing. Join us for a presentation with Sharon Flynn, the founder of the award winning, fermented food and drinks company, The Fermentary. Chaired by Jeo Rubbo Presented by Readings

Is short always better? Australian authors Leah Swann and Sean O’Beirne are joined by Canada’s Lis de Nikolits discussing the short form, its brevity and breadth. Chaired by Liz McCarthy RRR

Access both days of the weekend for all book-browsing, exhibitions, music performances, kids activities and free talks. Under 16 and locals are free!

Join us for Book Clubs Friday – the first national symposium to explore how book clubs connect us with ideas, books and each other. On May 1 we will celebrate the power of book clubs; share stories and experiences; discuss the best ways to run different types of clubs; and look at how clubs interact with authors, libraries, the publishing industry and local communities. Book Clubs Friday tickets include morning and afternoon tea, lunch, parking and Booktown Festival Weekend entrance

Fighting for Peace: Aftermath, Commemoration and Regional Remembrance Conference

Chris Weaver is a leading New Zealand ceramicist internationally renowned for his contemporary tableware and design innovation. Chris is visiting Australia as a guest judge at the 2019 Clunes Ceramic Award. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This workshop is a rare opportunity to observe Chris making and discussing his unique and outstanding work. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements on booking.

George Megalogenis has dedicated his literary life to examining what makes Australia tick, economically, politically and socially. He has a remarkable ability to make the complex comprehensible. A football ‘tragic’ and devoted Tigers fan, his most recent book, 'The Football Solution', reveals how Richmond found a new way to win – and how Australia might do the same. George will be in conversation with Peter Rose.

Why we Value Books in our Lives What do you get when you gather together authors, book collectors, reviewers and a bookseller who are at the top of their game? A wondrously bookish Panel. Michael McGirr (Books that Saved My Life), Stuart Kells (The Library), and Robbie Egan (Australian Bookseller Assoc.) share their lifelong passion for books with Professor Andrew Reeves.

Join poets Nathan Curnow and Alicia Sometimes in one of Clunes’ oldest cottages to hear them read and discuss a selection of their poems. Nick Lanyon will host this special event.

Building the Fictional World for Gripping Crime How important is ‘location’ for the crime novelist? Is as much attention paid to setting as to character? Three women crime/thriller writers who have readers waiting for their next novels, Sarah Bailey (Into the Night), Anne Buist (This I Would Kill For) and Sarah Epstein (Small Spaces) will be in conversation with Leslie Falkiner-Rose.

Short Stories linger longer! Tony Birch (Common People) and Paddy O’Reilly (Peripheral Vision) are masters of the Short Story and have created consummate short story collections. In conversation with Mark Rubbo, Tony and Paddy share how they pack so much punch into a small package, and when and why they are drawn to the short story form over the novel. Presented by Readings

with Writer/Illustrator Gabrielle Wang for 8-12 year olds

Georgina Reid and The Planthunter: Truth, Beauty, Chaos and Plants The Planthunter is a sumptuous publication for a new generations of gardeners. Georgina Reid has brought together an uplifting collection of stories about gardeners who are committed to the cultivation of the earth and the human spirit. A qualified horticulturalist and landscape designer, Georgina celebrates the exceptional and ordinary ways people engage with plants. She will be in conversation with Angela Crocombe.

Some novelists create places and landscapes that are irresistibly compelling and speak to us like characters. Moreno Giovannoni (The Fireflies of Autumn) and Robbie Arnott (Flames) do just this, and more. Moreno and Robbie write with unique voices that transport readers. They will be in conversation with Michael McGirr.

What is Defining us as a Nation in 2019? When a factionalised society harbours deeply divided views on refugees, migration, national growth and climate, what will ultimately define Australia as a Nation in 2019 and the immediate future? Professor Marilyn Lake will chair an impressive Panel with authors George Megalogenis, Kon Karapanagiotidis and Melanie Cheng.

Have you thought about trying your hand at book reviewing? Join the experts in the field, Peter Rose and John Arnold, who will be in conversation with Philip Mead to hear what book reviewing is really all about, the skills to hone, and the impact reviewing has on our literary culture. Presented by Australian Book Review