This weekend I attended the Bendigo Writers Festival 2016, held in its notable arts precinct, for a fifth consecutive year. 
Day 1 was the festival opening which included a panel discussion with Benjamin Law, Ita Buttrose and David Astle, discussing
‘Being Brave Enough’. This was held at the Ulumbarra Theatre – formerly Bendigo Gaol, which made for great photo opps!
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Benjamin and Ita
Day 2 commenced the bulk of festival events. My first session comprised an ‘in conversation’ with Nicole Ferrie, Editor of the Bendigo Advertiser. At the Latrobe Uni Visual Arts Centre, we sat together as she questioned me about ‘Influence & the Media’. Specifically, she probed me about who is heard in the community, how they are reported in the media and why it matters. This was a robust conversation as I relayed statistics of coverage, examples of bias, double standards – and their consequences. I also detailed proactive ways to redress the imbalance. Audience interaction was terrific as well. Nicole’s expert facilitation ensured the hour long session passed seamlessly.
A few hours after my session, I was fortunate to be invited by Nicole to attend a highlight event of the BWF: ‘According to Assange’. Via videolink from the Ecuador embassy in the UK where Julian Assange is claiming asylum, a conversation with Prof. Robert Manne occurred at the Ulumbarra Theatre. In this hour long dialogue, Assange spoke of the media, military, oligarchs, Wikileaks, Swedish detention laws and cyberpunks. It was an intense session, underpinned by controversy regarding the terms of his arrest warrant and extradition order. While Assange’s genius is inarguable, the matter of his conduct re the sexual assault allegations cannot be diminished.
On day 3 of the BWF, at the Trades Hall, I sat on a panel called ‘SOCIAL JUSTICE :There’s individual freedom and then there’s what’s right for society’.
Frank Brennan, Samuel Wagan Watson and I spoke to Ken Marchingo about how writers engage with social justice issues and what they believe are the priorities for debate. We also examined how we balance individual rights against the damage done by hate speech and ignorance. Glorious conversation and audience interaction ensued, making for a superb session.
I was fortunate to meet some remarkable creative giants at the BWF this weekend, including Benjamin Law, Frank Brennan, Anne Summers, Stephanie Alexander, John Bell, Max Gillies, Hugh Mackay, Nic Low, Samuel Wagan Watson, Kerry O’Brien and Julie Rudner, among others.
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with Julie and Rachel from Latrobe Research, with Hugh Mackay (Beyond Belief)
with John Bell, Bell Shakespeare Company
In all, the organisers were endlessly hospitable, their warm smiles and generosity reminding me of the Bendigo I grew up in. Their attention to detail with assisting artists was superb.
Congratulations to every volunteer and the organising team behind the success that marks this event as a calendar staple in Victoria’s arts community!
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