Celebrating Diverse Voices

Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, a Vietnamese-Australian writer

Celebrating Diverse Voiceswith Santilla Chingaipe, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Soreti Kadir and Constantinos Emmanuelle Thursday 19 March, 6.15-7.30pm - Light refreshments from 6pm

Join us for a panel discussion on the diversity of cultures through the work of three Melbourne writers who will share their unique stories, common threads, and their journeys documenting cultural identity.Facilitated by Santilla Chingaipe, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker based in Melbourne whose work explores contemporary migration, cultural identities and politics.

To share their unique stories we welcome:

Sunshine Library: 9249 4296 Level 1, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine

Panel event

Soreti Kadir, an Oromo poet, organiser and writer

Constantinos Emmanuelle, a Cypriot-Australian author and artist

Work shop

Not sure how to go about getting your work published? Join Lucia Nardo, Enza Gandolfo and Tracey Rolfe for a lively and informative discussion about writing courses and groups, competitions, agents and publishing.Lucia Nardo is a creative writing workshop facilitator and the author of nonfiction titles, articles, and short stories.Enza Gandolfo is a Melbourne writer and author of two novels, Swimming and The Bridge.Tracey Rolfe is a freelance writer and editor and teaches Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria University Polytechnic.


How to get your work publishedwith Lucia Nardo, Enza Gandolfo and Tracey Rolfe Friday 20 March, 6-7.30pm

Join us for a rainbow storytime celebrating families, identity and individuality. Annie Depressant is a local Melbourne performer and has hosted storytime sessions at libraries across Melbourne.

St Albans Library: 9249 4296 71A Alfrieda Street, St Albans

Rainbow Storytimewith Annie DepressantSaturday 21 March, 10.30-11.30am

Panel event

Mrs Ticklebottom and the Plastic Problem is a show for all ages about plastic, litter, our wildlife and waterways, the ocean and one mean old Lavender Lady.Join Mrs Ticklebottom as she goes on a redemptive journey from litterbug to environmental heroine, meeting many different animals and some scary plastic wrap on her adventures.Jessica Gerger is a performer, writer, film maker, teacher and environmentalist. A picture book of Mrs Ticklebottom and the Plastic Problem will be released later this year.


What does it take to write crime? Explore the differences between writing true crime and crime fiction.Our panel investigates what it takes to write about crime and detectives, the unusual aspects of research and real people as characters.Sherryl Clark’s crime novel, Trust Me, I’m Dead, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger, and is set in the western suburbs of Melbourne.Carmel Reilly writes for children and adults. Her 2019 crime novel Life Before is set in Melbourne and country Victoria. Critically acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Alex Hammond’s debut novel Blood Witness was shortlisted for the 2014 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Crime Novel.

Keilor Library: 9249 4296 704B Old Calder Highway, Keilor

It’s Criminal what an author has to dowith Sherryl Clark , Carmel Reilly and Alex Hammond Saturday 21 March, 2-3pm

Mrs Ticklebottom and the plastic problemwith Jessica Gerger Saturday 21 March, 1.30-2.30pm

Students from Derrimut Primary School collaborated with local author Demet Divaroren to write stories of culture and identity and their place in the community. The workshops focused on identity, belonging and what binds us as a society.Join us as we celebrate their work with a special presentation.

Deer Park Library: 9249 4296 4 Neale Road, Deer Park

Is there power in writing? Explore the healing power, strength and influence of writing with Lee Kofman and Victoria Nicole Cini. Join us for a discussion on their writing journeys, approaches to their craft, the challenges they have faced and how writing can be an act of empowerment. Facilitated by Demet Divaroren, award-winning author of Living on Hope Street and co-editor of Growing up Muslim in Australia.Lee Kofman is a Russian-born, Israeli-Australian author whose latest book Imperfect, questions the myths surrounding our perception of physical perfection and what it’s like to live in a body that differs from the norm.Victoria Nicole Cini is a Brimbank based musician, songwriter and writer whose upcoming memoir Unique is Me, recounts the challenges she has faced from being born with a disability, along with the story of her triumphant quarter-century musical career.


Writing differencewith Demet Divaroren, Lee Kofman and Victoria Nicole Cini Sunday 22 March, 2-3.15pm

Derrimut Primary SchoolYear 5 student project with Demet DivarorenMonday 23 March, 11am-12.30pm

Panel event

In The Accidental Gambler, Dr Cally Berryman explores the dark world of female problem gambling, which is on the rise in Australia. The characters embody how vulnerable women are drawn to gambling when dealing with grief, trauma, depression and unresolved issues. Dr Cally Berryman will talk about her fiction novel as well as wider issues of problem gambling.She is a drugs, alcohol and gambling counsellor who has worked in the areas of gambling dependence and substance abuse for over 20 years.

Sydenham Library: 9249 4296 1 Station Street, Taylors Lakes

Do you have a story to share?We’ll help you tell it! In this 3-hour workshop you’ll be guided on how to shape your story, using your device’s camera, while getting tips on obtaining the best effects. Then we’ll edit your 3 minute story together on iMovie (iPhone) or FilmoraGo (Android).You can bring other elements like photos and music with you. This is a great way to start telling stories on your phone. Led by smartphone filmmaker Daniel Schultheis from Cinespace. Own smartphone required

St Albans Community Arts Centre: 9249 4296 33 Princess Street, St Albans

The accidental gamblerwith Dr Cally BerrymanWednesday 25 March, 1.30-2.30pm

Smartphone Storieswith Daniel Schultheis from CinespaceWednesday 25 March, 5.30-8.30pm

Work shop

Do you love page turners? Want to know how to write one? In this jam-packed workshop, discover what makes a story compulsive reading, learn how to turn your story idea into a structured narrative, how to keep your writing tight and your readers reading. Whether you’re starting out or have a manuscript underway, take your writing to the next level with acclaimed author Anna George.


How to write a gripping storywith Anna GeorgeThursday 26 March and Thursday 2 April, 5.30-7.30pm

Drop the Micwith Colour Between The LinesThursday 26 March, 6-8.30pm

Explore and learn how to transition from being an emerging to an established musician, poet or writer. African Collective, Colour Between The Lines, in partnership with Brimbank City Council, presents Drop The Mic, a master class series of poetry, music and podcasting. For 12-25 year olds.

Sydenham Neighbourhood House: 9249 4296 Station Street, Taylors Lakes

Work shop

What do you do when life gets hard? How can you draw strength from difficult situations? Join local storyteller Amra Pajalic and author and community leader Manal Shehab as they share their stories of living with a parent with Bipolar, and domestic violence – and how their stories can empower others.Life Coach and author of Think before you Think, Harish Gulati, brings a range of strategies about self-care and living a healthy, happy life and how to reach your full potential.Facilitated by Imbi Neeme, a writer of long and short fiction. Her novel The Spill won the 2019 Penguin Literary Prize and will be published by Penguin Random House Australia in June 2020.

Sydenham Neighbourhood House: 9249 4296 Station Street, Taylors Lakes

Learn to draw traditional symbols found in Aboriginal artworks from different cultures around the country.Noongar Elder Leonie Harris teaches the symbols for man, woman and child, as well as numerous animals and features of the land, and the paths and footsteps connecting them. Leonie will demonstrate how they can be combined to tell a visual story.

Deer Park Library: 9249 4296 4 Neale Road, Deer Park

Kinder Dreaming-Art in Storytellingwith Leonie HarrisFriday 27 March, 11-11.40am

Stories of strength and resiliencewith Harish Gulati, Amra Pajalic, Manal Shehab and Imbi NeemeFriday 27 March, 6.30-7.45pm

Panel event

Work shop

Writing memoirswith Dmetri Kakmi, Olympia Panagiotopoulos and Leonard KopilasSaturday 28 March, 10am-12pm

Have you experienced something memorable and want to write about it?Join us in a panel discussion facilitated by writer and editor, Dmetri Kakmi with local authors, Olympia Panagiotopoulos and Leonard Kopilas.This session will also include our key facilitator, Dmetri Kakmi, sharing his tips on writing memoir and the process of writing – from how you work with writing drafts and finding the story within your story. He is well known for his memoir Mother Land, shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards.Olympia Panagiotopoulos has written her debut memoir Beneath the Fig Leaves, a heartfelt tribute to her Greek heritage and parents’ journey.Leonard Kopilas’ book Memoirs of a Stay-At-Home Dad tells of his personal challenges as a man dealing with stereotypes regarding men’s accepted roles in society.

Keilor Library: 9249 4296 704B Old Calder Highway, Keilor

#BWRF

Bookings essential for all the events. Browse the program, get more info and book here:• Visit: brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/writersfestival• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 9249 4296• Visit any Brimbank Library and book in person

Panel event

Everyone has a story to tell, whether it’s an intergenerational epic or merely an exposition on a love of coffee. Zines (handmade magazines) are the simplest form of self-publishing – write, type or draw your message or story, photocopy it and then share it! This workshop is great for anyone interested in making things and telling stories – whether you’ve never seen or made a zine before. Gennivieve Collier has been making and swapping zines for the last five years and comes armed with her favourite examples and all the drawing and writing tools you will need.

St Albans Community Arts Centre: 9249 4296 33 Princess Street, St Albans

Zine makingwith Gennivieve CollierSaturday 28 March, 10am-1pm

Kororoit Creek is the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people and has significant animal, land and cultural value. It is home to sacred kingfishers, long-necked turtles, and a variety of reptiles and echidnas, with at least eight archaeological sites, including stone circles and tool scatters. Take a walk along Kororoit Creek and listen to fascinating stories about the lives and history of the Wurundjeri people from an indigenous elder.

Meet outside Kororoit Neighbourhood House: 9249 4296 61A Selwyn Street, Albion

Story walk along Kororoit Creekwith Wurundjeri CouncilSaturday 28 March, 12-1pm

Outdoor event

Work shop

Monthly Author talks at Brimbank LibrariesBeginning in April

In August and September 2019, documentary photographer Ali MC spent four weeks capturing the diversity of Iran through black and white 35mm film. Shooting over 1000 frames, Ali MC travelled to seven distinct regions, including Kurdistan, the central desert, the Afghan/ Pakistan and Azerbaijan border areas, and the metropolis of Tehran.He will talk about his new book, Welcome to Iran speaking about the project itself - the process

of travelling, analogue photography, his process for shooting and developing photos, and the political climate of Iran.

Keilor Library: Thursday 21 May, 6.30-7.30pm

Jen Hutchison’s son lived a successful life in finance, but seven years ago, her world imploded when her 31-year-old son Raif died of an accidental drug overdose. Motherling is her story of how she walked the 800km Camino de Santiago through France and Spain with his ashes as she attempted to come to terms with his death.

Keilor Library: Thursday 18 June, 6.30-7.30pm

Michelle Bourke is a storyteller who writes about true life – from losing her beloved husband Paul to cancer, to recreating her life without him by her side.After Paul’s death in May 2016, Michelle Bourke wrote Conversations with Paul, a story about a journey of love, heartache, frustration and determination whilst facing a loved one’s terminal illness.She has travelled around the world with a cardboard cut-out of Paul, keeping promises and writing stories of her amazing experiences.

Sydenham Library: Thursday 16 April, 6.30-7.30pm

New

The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival is proudly presented by Brimbank City Council with support from the following sponsors:

Principal Sponsor Support Sponsors

The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, storytelling, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning.Brimbank City Council, with support from its sponsors, has partnered with a range of internal and external stakeholders to plan and deliver a diverse and exciting festival.We are delighted to present the 2020 program, which sees partnered events with Victoria University Polytechnic, Cinespace, Derrimut Primary School, local writers and community groups.

Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival Thursday 19 March-Saturday 28 March 2020

#BWRF

Bookings essential for all the events. Browse the program, get more info and book here:

• Visit: brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/writersfestival• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 9249 4296• Visit any Brimbank Library and book in person

Hearing or speech impaired?

• TTY dial 133 677 • Speak & Listen 1300 555 727 • www.relayservice.gov.au, then enter 03 9249 4000

Documents

Celebrating Diverse Voices