Celebrate the songs that shape our lives, with Tony Birch, Brian Nankervis, Toni Jordan, Andy Griffiths, Danny Katz, Smokie Dawson, Lucia Nardo, and Rijn Collins – all backed by the sensational Stereo Stories band. Enjoy this moving and funny concert theatre-style in the famous Williamstown Town Hall Ballroom. Full $35, Conc $32
Stereo Stories Band
Brian Nankervis
Danny Katz
Andy Griffiths
Smokie Dawson
Rijn Collins
Tony Birch
Lucia Nardo
Toni Jordan
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2022
Please select the tabs below to view each days scheduled sessions
Leigh Hobbs, Kerry Fowler, Lucia Nardo and Vicki Milliken bring the past to life as they share stories of generations of their families living in ever-changing Williamstown. Chair: Loraine Callow Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Willy Lit Fest is proud to present internationally acclaimed Australian psychologist, Peter Quarry in conversation with Hannah Capon talking about his newly released part memoir, part self-help book If I Were You. Peter has a wonderful gift for communication and will generously share his wisdom and insights to help reboot... Read More
The Willy U3A Cryptic Crossword group presents an interactive workshop, revealing how to unravel cryptic clues. From beginners to masters. Full $15, Conc $12
Philosophy for wisdom, solace, and pleasure in this perplexing world. Michael McGirr in conversation with Sarah L’Estrange Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
We love reading it but what compels an author to take on the challenging task of writing it? Find out from two award-winning writers at the top of their game. Steven Conte (The Tolstoy Estate) and Jock Serong (The Burning Island) in conversation with Angela Savage Full $20, Conc... Read More
What are your investments, including your superannuation, currently helping to fund? Nicole Haddow (The Ethical Investor; Smashed Avocado) will help you ensure your money goes towards a greener future. Nicole Haddow in conversation with Kimberly Gillan Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
New ways are emerging for writers and artists to get their work into print. Join author and publisher, Richard Dove, and artist, Kyoko Imazu, to hear how they collaborated to publish their unique children’s book, The Promise. Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
As a child in country Queensland, the ABC’s Lisa Millar dreamed of a big life which working as a foreign correspondent provided but it also meant confronting the worst of humanity. Lisa Millar in conversation with Ben Knight Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Learn about the thousands of migratory shorebirds found in the Hobson’s Bay wetlands. Jackie Kerin invites you to the launch of her latest book, co-written with pilot, zoologist and bird nerd, Milly Formby. Free event, bookings required
Suzanne McCourt (The Tulip Tree) and Caroline Petit (The Natural History of Love) delve into the upheaval of 20th century Poland and 19th century Brazil before their sweeping novels land in Australia. Chair: Jane Sullivan Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Fans of Jane Harper will find their next great read here. Aoife Clifford (When We Fall) and Simon Rowell (The Long Game). Chair: Angela Meyer Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
David Knoff (537 Days of Winter) was leading a mission at Davis Station in Antarctica when the pandemic hit. Keeping everyone safe and getting them home took all David’s experience as an infantry platoon commander and diplomat. David Knoff in conversation with Jock Serong Full $20, Conc $18, Early... Read More
Tony Birch (Dark as Last Night) and Paddy O’Reilly (Other Houses) show empathy and love for the marginalised in their latest compelling works. Chair: Toni Jordan Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
A nature writer reflects on fatherhood and conservation in an uncertain world. Harry Saddler in conversation with Angela Savage Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
The most entertaining writing competition in the West. 16 local writers each read a four-minute piece of their own work, then the audience votes for their favourites. Prizes for prose and poetry. Free event (bookings required) Want to enter the People’s Choice Awards for 2022? Submit your stories via... Read More
Hear how brilliant comic writers Toni Jordan (Dinner with the Schnabels) and Katherine Collette (The Competition) create characters to warm our hearts. Chair: Jane Sullivan Full $20, Conc $18, Early $25
After a lifetime of trying to please everyone, Grace Jennings-Edquist (The Yes Woman) set out to resist the need to say ‘yes’. It’s a radical feat for a woman but Grace found that it saved her sanity. Grace Jennings-Edquist in conversation with Hilary Harper Full $20, Conc $18, Early... Read More
Life-affirming stories of the challenges and joys experienced by the resilient Greek migrants who changed the culture of the West. Olympia Koziaris in conversation with Dorothy Poulopoulos Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Willy Lit Fest Writing Prizes Join Enza Gandolfo, acclaimed author of The Bridge, for the announcement of the winners of the Adas Poetry, Biographical Prose and Young Adas Prizes, and the Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award. Free event (bookings required)
Be amazed by the Poets of St Mary’s School Williamstown. Under the guidance of hip hop artist Mantra, the students perform Poetry Slams, Poet Versus Poet, Team versus Team. Full $5, children free, bookings required
Peter Doherty (An Insider’s Plague Year) and Andrew Wear (Recovery) discuss ways we can use the lessons from the pandemic to build a better future. Chair: Paul Barclay Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Jackie Kerin and musician Sarah Depasquale take you on a playful journey following the path of migratory shore birds, from Sandy Point in Newport to Siberia. Full $15, children free, bookings required
Hear awe-inspiring stories about the bliss, pain and mystery of humans and the sea. Mark Smith (Lines to the Horizon) in conversation with Jock Serong Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
An eye-opening look at the medical and moral hazards that beset health professionals. Two world-leading doctors reveal the true state of medicine and how patients are being let down. Ian Harris (Hippocrasy) in conversation with Paul Barclay Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Sinéad Stubbins (In My Defence I Have No Defence) always knew that her ‘best self’ was possible, if she just ticked the right boxes. A wild and funny reckoning on the path to self-improvement. Sinead Stubbins in conversation with Brodie Lancaster Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Hilde Hinton (A Solitary Walk on the Moon), Robert Lukins (Loveland) & Michael Winkler (Grimmish) read and discuss their latest works. Chair: Angela Meyer Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Whether you’re tackling a blank page or finishing a suite of poems, this workshop will help you navigate wild memories and write poems that help to express who you are — real or imagined; ordinary or surreal; ancestral or futuristic. Convenor: Alicia Sometimes Full $30, Conc $28, Early $25... Read More
When her own father sued her, TV journalist Mimi Kwa turned to her rich family history to understand why. This riveting story spans the lives of four generations from the imperial compound in Beijing to post-war Australia. Mimi Kwa in conversation with Meaghan Wilson Anastasios Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More
If you like your fiction well-written with atmosphere, suspense, and surprise then Melbourne writers, Mark Brandi (The Others) and Laura Elizabeth Woollett (The Newcomer) will make your day. Chair: Mark Smith Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Unfortunately due to COVID, this session has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be contacted and automatically refunded. How Melbourne woman, Sneha Lees found freedom, despite being a disappointment to her family and culture. An honest and true account of accepting yourself as a ‘let down’. Sneha Lees (Ruhi... Read More
Jonathan Butler uncovers a forgotten wartime murder and investigates Australia’s queer military history in this engrossing new book. Jonathan Butler in conversation with Robyn Annear Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Miles Allinson (In Moonland), Mandy Beaumont (The Furies) and Emily Spurr (A Million Things) read and discuss their latest works. Chair: Emily Westmoreland Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
It may be uncomfortable but capturing the complexity of human emotions is vital when writing fiction or memoir. Lee Kofman (The Writer Laid Bare) will guide you through these foundational elements of storytelling. Full $30, Conc $25, Early $25
Join homegrown author, Richard Dove, and artist Kyoko Imazu, as they launch The Promise: a fable of the enduring power of one boy’s promise, and the wisdom of living a simple life, close to the earth. Free event, bookings required
Hear from Maxine Beneba Clarke (How Decent Folk Behave), Angela Costi (An Embroidery of Old Maps and New) and Amanda Anastasi (The Inheritors). Chair: Helen Jarvis Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15
Unfortunately due to COVID, this session has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be contacted and automatically refunded. Journalist Van Badham (Qanon and On) delves into the why, how and who of the internet’s extremist underworld. Van Badham in conversation with Misha Ketchell Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15 Unfortunately... Read More
Join Dinner Party Press as they host three debuts and one musical act, masters of their respective forms, performing on the festival theme: Days Like These Gareth Morgan (When a Punk Becomes a Spunk) — poet Eda Gunaydin (Root & Branch) — essayist/memoirist Rhett Davis (Hovering) — novelist Mount Defiance (Everything’s... Read More