LitFest breaks record

HELD for the second year, the Coal Creek literary festival, The Magic of Words, easily broke last year’s attendance, pleasing organisers and participants.
An improved format and more advertising, that included a television commercial, raised public interest and awareness.
Star of the festival was debut author Honey Brown, whose psychological thriller Red Queens drew a keen interest.
Many visitors bought her book. They were also impressed by her workshop, which she shared with one of Australia’s foremost poets Judith Rodriguez.
Other writers who contributed were Loch author Bill Statham, historian Dr Barry Collett, who grew up in South Gippsland and has relatives living in Leongatha, Michael Hyde, known for his youth fiction, poets Jillian Durance and Yvette Stubbs and The Star journalist Bert van Bedaf.
The festival culminated in a full performance of two one-act plays by Leongatha Lyric Theatre. Singer-guitarist Willy Golightly entertained the audience throughout the evening with his varied repertoire. Proceeds of the festival went to Vision Australia, talking books.
VA’s acquisitions librarian Siobhan Dennis said produced a talking books cost on average $1800 and donations were always gratefully received.
Part of the festival was a short story and poetry competitions, which received many interstate entries and covered several categories.
In the Open Section, the short story equal winners were David Lawrence for White line Fever, and Frank Ince for Love at first Sight.
The poetry winner was Barbara Orlowska-Westwood for Vigil. She also won last year’s poetry prize. Runner-up was Ann Stocker for Demented.
The secondary school short story award was won by Lucy Piper for Searching. Runner up was Katrina Sugars for We are.
Lucy Piper also won the secondary school poetry prize for Together (a tribute to the final years of high school). Runner-up was Katrina Sugars for Darkness for Pain.
The picture story book competition received a dazzling number of entries from many local schools.
The results were Prep: 1st Taj Wilkins (MNth), 2nd Matthew Sheers (MNth), hon. Hon. Mention: Keegan McGreesh (MNth).
Year 1: 1st Jed Bessell-Browne (MNth), 2nd Mekaela Wendlandt (MNth), Hon. Mention: Abbey McColl, Ben Jones, Dustan Woodall (MNth).
Year 2: 1st Max Dudek (MNth), 2nd Liana Shiels (MNth), Hon. Mention: Ethan Falkingham, Arli Wilkins, Samantha Moore, Kieran McGreesh (MNth).
Year 3: 1st Mary Gourlay (MNth).
Year 4: 1st Christine Byrne (St Joseph’s), 2nd Madie Krausz (MNth), Hon. Mention: Jessie Davies (MNth), Jessica Allamby, Renee Mizza, Fraser Boys (St Joseph’s), Natalie Fraser (MNth).
Year 5: 1st Hannah Lilleyman (St Joseph’s), 2nd Maneesha Nambirajan (MNth), hon. Hon. Mention: Chelsea Campbell (MNth), Levi Courtier, Kayley Lawrence, Jake Lester (St Joseph’s).
Year 6: 1st James Pearn (MNth), 2nd Stephanie Watson (St Joseph’s), Hon. Mention: Rowan Sizer (MNth), Alannah Lia, Pierre Dunlevie, Bailey Condoluci (St Joseph’s).
Year 8: 1st Georgia Findlay (LSC).

A basic program for the day is now starting to take shape. The day will start at 11.00 am with workshops running at 45 mins, finishing at 5.00pm.

At 6.00pm the winners of the writing competitions will be announced at Garrards Cafe.

At 7.30 pm, two plays will be performed by members of Lyric Theatre.

The entry cost for the festival will be $10.00 and will include all workshops for the day and winners announcements.

There is an addition cost of $20.00 for the two play performance.

A detailed program will be posted when it is available

Left: Jillian Durance at last years festival

By Bert van Bedaf, from The Star Newspaper, May 12 2009

Organizers of the Coal Creek Literary Festival have expanded the short story and poetry competions this year.

Limited to only open categories last year, this year the competitions will include Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Festival will stick to last years theme of "The Magic of Words" which showed great appeal.

Following the success of the inaugural festival last year, organizers have decided to hold this years event on Saturday, October 10. Coal Creek heritage village coordinator, Rowena Ashley said the event would be held during an action packed day, with workshops held between 12 noon and 5pm, culminating in a closing gala night.

The closing evening will include drinks and nibbles at the village's Garrards Cafe and a two plays performance by members of Leongatha Lyric Theatre.

The festival will again introduce a range of local and nationally known authors, who will explain the writing craft and publishing field

Right: Yvette Stubbs from last years festival