RACHAEL Treasure, the author of Jillaroo and other books centred on country life, will be among a slew of authors with country connections to speak at next weekend’s Ex Libris Port Fairy Festival of Words.
The festival’s theme this year is “Bringing It All Back Home”.
It will highlight the expression of the country experience as part of its contribution to this year’s celebrations of the Australian Year of the Farmer and the National Year of Reading.
Treasure, from Tasmania, will speak at two events over the weekend, including a country lunch at The Star of the West hotel on Saturday.
Ex Libris co-ordinator Margaret Sinnott said the festival gave people an opportunity to take their enjoyment of books to another level, giving them insights into where authors gained inspiration and other aspects of the writing process.
Workshops will be held on topics such as family history, farming life, the Irish in Victoria, kelpies, poetry, bullying and telling and writing stories.
Carol Altmann, who began her writing career with The Standard at Warrnambool, will talk on Saturday morning about her experiences in developing a good idea into a good read.
Two book launches will take place at the festival, with historian Dr Val Noone to launch Hidden Ireland In Victoria and children’s author Glynis Bloomfield to launch Jake’s Secret.
Ex Libris’ support of poetry will continue with a morning poetry session with breakfast on Saturday.
Local poets will have an opportunity to read their poetry in either the bush poets @ The Stump session on Saturday afternoon or the final session of the weekend, local readings, to be held at the Victoria Hotel.
The festival’s pivotal feature, its huge sale of second-hand books, will this year take place at the drill hall on Bank Street.
ehimmelreich@standard.fairfax.com.au
