Louise Adler was the Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week from 2023 to 2025. Prior to that role she spent over 30 years in publishing, most recently as a Publisher at Large for Hachette Australia and for 17 years as the CEO of Melbourne University Publishing. She was President of the Australian Publishers Association, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, and Chair of Creative Victoria’s Strategy Taskforce.
Former Foreign Minister of Australia and Premier of NSW Bob Carr reflects on his political career, his lifelong love of literature, and his latest book, Bring Back Yesterday: on losing the love of my life and doing what it takes to survive, which deals with finding his footing again after the death of his wife. With Louise Adler.
Friday 16 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
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Micaela Sahhar, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Find Me at the Jaffa Gate, Moreno Giovannoni, 2026 Age Book of the Year winner for The Immigrants, and Antoun Issa, author of Rebirth, explore their parents’ experiences in Palestine, Italy and Lebanon—and the extraordinary personal stories, memories and histories that compel them to put family life onto the page. With Louise Adler.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm (bar from 2.00pm)
$30 / $22
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Stephanie Alexander AO is regarded as one of Australia’s great food educators. Her reputation has been earned through 30 years as an owner-chef in several restaurants, as the author of 18 influential books, and for her groundbreaking work in creating and promoting the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. Everything she has achieved and worked towards has been driven by her desire to break down anxieties about cooking, to emphasise the beauty of produce fresh from the garden and to promote the pleasures of sharing around a table. Her strong belief is that the earlier children learn about food through example and pleasurable hands-on experience, the better their food choices will be throughout life. Her fifth book, The Cook’s Companion, published 30 years ago, is regarded as an Australian classic.
Australian restaurateur, writer and food icon Stephanie Alexander takes us inside the remarkable legacy of The Cook’s Companion—the beloved kitchen bible that has shaped generations of Australian home cooks. Thirty years, and 550,000 copies, after the book’s first publication, Stephanie reflects on its enduring influence and cultural impact and its place in Australia’s culinary history. With Lisa Wilkinson.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Sarah Bailey is author of the internationally award-winning Gemma Woodstock series, which includes The Dark Lake (2017), winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and the Davitt Award for Best Debut, followed by Into the Night (2018), Where the Dead Go (2019), and Body of Lies (2024). Sarah also published the bestselling The Housemate and Audible original Final Act in 2021. Her new novel Click is the second book featuring journalist Oli Groves. Sarah is also the founder of social media brand and podcast He Read, She Read.
Get inside the minds of two of Australia’s bestselling crime writers. Chris Hammer and Sarah Bailey reveal the secrets behind gripping plots, unforgettable characters and atmospheric settings, as they reveal their latest page-turners Full Circle and Click. They’ll also lift the lid on the thrills—and the risks—of seeing a story brought to life on screen. With Mark Smith.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Dr Dylan Bird is a lecturer in journalism at RMIT University and a broadcaster with over ten years experience. He currently hosts the weekly current affairs show Future Perfect on Triple R FM. He is also a podcast producer and has won two Australian Podcast Awards, and been a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards. His academic research explores the role of media in democracy.
One year on, our expert panel will weigh the wins, the drawbacks and what comes next. Has the world-first social media ban for children delivered on its promise, or should it be scrapped, strengthened or fine-tuned? Tackling one of the most contentious issues facing families and children today will be our panel Virginia Trioli, Dr Lelia Green, and Dr Lisa Given. With Dr Dylan Bird.
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Sophie Black is journalist, writer and Associate editor, features, lifestyle and culture at The Guardian. She was previously Crikey’s editor-in-chief. Sophie has worked in senior management across cultural and media organisations, including as The Wheeler Centre’s head of publishing, where she oversaw projects such as the Walkley award-winning The Messenger podcast. She sits on the board of Melbourne University’s Centre for Advancing Journalism, and is co-chair of human rights media outlet Right Now.
Veteran journalist Lisa Wilkinson reveals what drew her to history and the compelling story behind her bestselling work of historical non-fiction, The Titanic Story of Evelyn. She will take us behind the headlines of her extraordinary career, reflecting on the defining moments and remarkable stories that have shaped her life in journalism. With Sophie Black.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
4.30pm (bar from 4.00pm)
$30 / $22
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Bob Carr was the longest-serving NSW premier, and foreign minister in the Gillard and Rudd governments. He is the author of Thoughtlines, My Reading Life, Diary of a Foreign Minister and Run for Your Life. His new book is Bring Back Yesterday: on losing the love of my life and doing what it takes to survive.
Former Foreign Minister of Australia and Premier of NSW Bob Carr reflects on his political career, his lifelong love of literature, and his latest book, Bring Back Yesterday: on losing the love of my life and doing what it takes to survive, which deals with finding his footing again after the death of his wife. With Louise Adler.
Friday 16 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
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With the Victorian election just a month away, what does Australia’s rapidly shifting political landscape—at both federal and state levels—tell us about the issues voters believe the major parties are failing to address? We’ll explore why increasing numbers of voters are looking beyond the traditional political parties, the role of media and tech in amplifying extreme voices, what the rise of minor and populist parties signals about the electorate, and whether Australia’s two-party system still reflects the political realities of a rapidly changing country. Join us for a robust and thought-provoking discussion about power, protest, populism and the future of Australian politics, with former politician Bob Carr, journalist Antoun Issa, populism expert Dr Imogen Richards, and others. Moderated by journalist Nicole Chvastek.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm – 8.45pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
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Palestinian-Australian surgeon Dr Bushra Othman shares powerful insights into the extraordinary work of Australian volunteer medics on the ground in Palestine. She discusses The Weight of Witness, the new book she has edited documenting 40 medics’ experiences in Gaza, and explores how the IHRA definition of antisemitism will affect healthcare workers’ ability to speak openly about their service. With Bob Carr.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm
$30 / $22
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Michael Cathcart spent decades as an arts broadcaster on ABC Radio National and is the author of The Water Dreamers (an award-winning history of water in Australia), Starvation in a Land of Plenty (a history of the last weeks of Burke and Wills), and Defending the National Tuckshop (the story of a right-wing secret army formed in Victoria in 1931). He has presented several history documentaries on ABC TV. Michael and his wife Hannie Rayson curated the community theatre show, Hello, Queenscliffe! (2023). They have recently become residents of the town.
What makes a book a ‘Classic’—and can a 21st-century work make the cut? Authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander each champion a favourite Australian or international work, and put their reps on the line debating, defending and challenging one another’s choices. Expect bold opinions, surprising picks and spirited bookish banter. With Michael Cathcart.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Nicole Chvastek is a broadcast journalist ex ABC television and radio and Seven News. She hosted the flagship breaking news radio show “Statewide Drive” across ABC Regional for 10 years and then became a columnist for the online news site “The Politics”. She also reported for the 7 o’clock TV News, was Senior Producer for Jon Faine Mornings on ABC 774 Melbourne and presented news for the ABCs Asia Pacific service. She is now the co host of the popular weekly “Truth Lies & Media” podcast which investigates how news is being manipulated and weaponised. She is on the Advisory Board of The Centre For Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne.
With the Victorian election just a month away, what does Australia’s rapidly shifting political landscape—at both federal and state levels—tell us about the issues voters believe the major parties are failing to address? We’ll explore why increasing numbers of voters are looking beyond the traditional political parties, the role of media and tech in amplifying extreme voices, what the rise of minor and populist parties signals about the electorate, and whether Australia’s two-party system still reflects the political realities of a rapidly changing country. Join us for a robust and thought-provoking discussion about power, protest, populism and the future of Australian politics, with former politician Bob Carr, journalist Antoun Issa, populism expert Dr Imogen Richards, and others. Moderated by journalist Nicole Chvastek.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm – 8.45pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
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Lorin Clarke is the creator of the popular ABC radio/podcast series The Fitzroy Diaries and the longstanding Public Service Announcement column in The Big Issue. Her feature documentary, But Also John Clarke, which she wrote, directed and executive produced, recently screened across Australia and New Zealand following her critically acclaimed memoir, Would That Be Funny? Growing Up with John Clarke. Lorin’s writing for children includes TV credits like Kangaroo Beach and Bluey as well as her ACBA Most Notable children's book, Our (Last) Trip to the Market. With a background in theatre and performance, Lorin has presented radio shows on Triple M, 3RRR, ABC radio, and The Stupidly Big Media Empire. She has an Arts/Law degree.
Join in the fun as the beloved ABC podcast series is performed like an old-fashioned radio play: script-in-hand, in front of a live audience. Performed by original cast members and narrated by writer and Fitzroy Diaries creator Lorin Clarke. Featuring cameos from Judith Lucy, Kaz Cooke and Shaun Micallef. Audience participation on a hands-up basis!
Friday 23 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$40/$30
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Get ready for an early Halloween with writer and chronicler of women’s lives Kaz Cooke as she reveals the rebellious women featured in her new book Spooky Ladies: Rebels, Witches, Mediums and Magic. From séances to prophecies, miracle work to mind-reading, discover the women who harnessed wit, spectacle and the supernatural to defy convention, court scandal and captivate the world. Dress up—prizes will be awarded to the best dressed spooky ladies! With Lorin Clarke.
Saturday 24 October
TARRA Queenscliff
4.00pm
$40/$30 includes a welcome drink on entry
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What makes a memoir unforgettable? Join broadcaster, best-selling memoirist, podcast creator and filmmaker Lorin Clarke for an inspiring, hands-on workshop exploring the art of turning lived experience into compelling stories. Discover how to find the moments that matter, shape your voice, unlock your memories and transform personal experience into powerful, engaging memoir.
Saturday 24 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
9.30am – 1.00pm
$45
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Kaz Cooke is a journalist-turned-author and cartoonist. Her bestselling and award-winning books are beloved and trusted by generations of girls and women. They includeUp The Duff: The Real Guide to Pregnancy, Babies & Toddlers, Girl Stuff 8–12, Girl Stuff 13+ and It's The Menopause. Her trademark blend of trusted research and humour meets her love of history and archives in You're Doing It Wrong: A History of Bad & Bonkers Advice to Women, Ada, and her latest book, Spooky Ladies. Kaz has been awarded research fellowships at the National Library of Australia and the State Library of Victoria. She lives in Melbourne, where she drinks tea, talks on the phone and can't find her keys.
Join in the fun as the beloved ABC podcast series is performed like an old-fashioned radio play: script-in-hand, in front of a live audience. Performed by original cast members and narrated by writer and Fitzroy Diaries creator Lorin Clarke. Featuring cameos from Judith Lucy, Kaz Cooke and Shaun Micallef. Audience participation on a hands-up basis!
Friday 23 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$40/$30
buy tickets
Get ready for an early Halloween with writer and chronicler of women’s lives Kaz Cooke as she reveals the rebellious women featured in her new book Spooky Ladies: Rebels, Witches, Mediums and Magic. From séances to prophecies, miracle work to mind-reading, discover the women who harnessed wit, spectacle and the supernatural to defy convention, court scandal and captivate the world. Dress up—prizes will be awarded to the best dressed spooky ladies! With Lorin Clarke.
Saturday 24 October
TARRA Queenscliff
4.00pm
$40/$30 includes a welcome drink on entry
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Michelle de Kretser, one of Australia’s most celebrated writers, blends fiction, essay and memoir into exhilarating new shapes to uncover what happens when life smashes through the boundaries of art. She has won numerous literary awards, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award twice, The Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, and the Stella Prize.
One of Australia’s most acclaimed and celebrated writers, Michelle de Kretser, offers a rare glimpse into her craft, career and creative inspirations. She discusses her Stella Prize–winning Theory & Practice, the novels that earned her two Miles Franklins and three Christina Stead literary awards, and the recent republication of The Hamilton Case. With Maria Takolander.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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What makes a book a ‘Classic’—and can a 21st-century work make the cut? Authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander each champion a favourite Australian or international work, and put their reps on the line debating, defending and challenging one another’s choices. Expect bold opinions, surprising picks and spirited bookish banter. With Michael Cathcart.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Monique diMattina is an Australian pianist, composer, songwriter and singer. She is known for writing bespoke songs on air to listener requests and for her compositions for film and stage. She has lived in NYC and Melbourne, and has been the recipient of many prizes including Fulbright, Queens Trust and Australia Council awards. In 2026 Monique debuted STELLA – A New Australian Musical, bringing to life the untold story of writer and feminist Stella Miles Franklin.
In June 2026, composer/lyricist Monique diMattina brought the extraordinary life story of Stella Miles Franklin to the stage in the acclaimed World Premiere of STELLA: A New Australian Musical. In this intimate concert, Monique and cast/band members share selected songs from STELLA, with behind-the-scenes gossip on the making of the show. Why did Miles Franklin hate her debut novel, My Brilliant Career? Did Banjo Paterson really invite her to Fiji? How many hats can five people wear in a two-hour musical? Join us for the songs, the stories and the glorious chaos of turning Stella’s life into a musical.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$40/$30
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Come along for a joyful, feel-good singalong with Monique DiMattina, creator of STELLA: A New Australian Musical. Monique will lead everyone through a fun mix of familiar songs you already know and love—so there’s no need to rehearse or worry about getting the words right. Just bring your voice and join in! Everyone welcome.
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
FREE
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Gabriel Gaté is a chef, author, and television presenter. He trained as a chef in France with several of the best French chefs of his generation and arrived in Australia in 1977. He is one of Australia’s best-selling cookery authors, his 24 cookbooks having sold well over one million copies. Gabriel has presented several cookery shows on television since 1978. More recently, Gabriel has produced and fronted the popular cooking segment, Taste Le Tour with Gabriel Gaté for SBS TV and was a guest chef on Master Chef Australia. Several generations of chefs and home cooks have been inspired by Gabriel’s cooking and food philosophy.
Over an outstanding two-course lunch prepared from his latest cookbook, George Georgievski, aka the Lunchbox Dad, shares with host and legendary chef Gabriel Gaté how he cooks easy, stylish and affordable weeknight meals, and gives them a makeover to create fresh meals for the following day. George will share his secrets for creating stylish, flavour-packed fare that is easy enough for busy weeknights, while championing smart cooking and zero food waste along the way. With Gabriel in the interviewer seat, George will elaborate on his journey from Geelong dad frustrated by his daughters’ food choices, to becoming a global hit and Jamie Oliver Food Ambassador with half a million social media followers.
Friday 16 October
Upstairs at 360Q
12.30pm – 2.30pm
$85
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George Georgievski turns everyday ingredients into playful culinary creations, and reimagines family meals and lunchboxes as a source of joy and inspiration. His vibrant presentations and creative approach have earned him a passionate global following. His personal story growing up in a Macedonian-Australian family experiencing financial hardship brings heart and authenticity to conversations around food, family and sustainability. He is the author of four bestselling books: Lunchbox Express, Lunchbox Boss and Air Fryer Express. George was a proud ambassador for Jamie's Ministry of Food and was also crowned 'most inspiring lunch creator in the world' by American Express Magazine. George’s new cookbook is Tonight’s Dinner, Tomorrow’s Lunchbox.
Over an outstanding two-course lunch prepared from his latest cookbook, George Georgievski, aka the Lunchbox Dad, shares with host and legendary chef Gabriel Gaté how he cooks easy, stylish and affordable weeknight meals, and gives them a makeover to create fresh meals for the following day. George will share his secrets for creating stylish, flavour-packed fare that is easy enough for busy weeknights, while championing smart cooking and zero food waste along the way. With Gabriel in the interviewer seat, George will elaborate on his journey from Geelong dad frustrated by his daughters’ food choices, to becoming a global hit and Jamie Oliver Food Ambassador with half a million social media followers.
Friday 16 October
Upstairs at 360Q
12.30pm – 2.30pm
$85
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Moreno Giovannoni is the author of the critically acclaimed books The Immigrants and The Fireflies of Autumn. The Immigrants won the 2026 Age Book of the Year Award, and was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards and the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. He is a freelance translator and was the inaugural winner of the Deborah Cass Prize for Writing in 2016.
Micaela Sahhar, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Find Me at the Jaffa Gate, Moreno Giovannoni, 2026 Age Book of the Year winner for The Immigrants, and Antoun Issa, author of Rebirth, explore their parents’ experiences in Palestine, Italy and Lebanon—and the extraordinary personal stories, memories and histories that compel them to put family life onto the page. With Louise Adler.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm (bar from 2.00pm)
$30 / $22
buy tickets
What makes a book a ‘Classic’—and can a 21st-century work make the cut? Authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander each champion a favourite Australian or international work, and put their reps on the line debating, defending and challenging one another’s choices. Expect bold opinions, surprising picks and spirited bookish banter. With Michael Cathcart.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Lisa Given is Distinguished Professor and Director, Centre for Human-AI Information Environments and Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University. A Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, her research explores people's technology use, from social media to artificial intelligence. A former President of the Association for Information Science and Technology, her latest book is Looking for Information: Examining Research on How People Engage with Information. She has written extensively for The Conversation on Australia’s social media ban and provided commentary for hundreds of media stories in ABC News, The New York Times, and the BBC.
One year on, our expert panel will weigh the wins, the drawbacks and what comes next. Has the world-first social media ban for children delivered on its promise, or should it be scrapped, strengthened or fine-tuned? Tackling one of the most contentious issues facing families and children today will be our panel Virginia Trioli, Dr Lelia Green, and Dr Lisa Given. With Dr Dylan Bird.
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Madeleine Gray is a writer and critic from Sydney. Her first novel, Green Dot, was an acclaimed bestseller in Australia and the UK. In 2024, Madeleine won the ABIA for Matt Richell New Writer of the Year Award and the 2025 Russell Prize for Humour Writing. Her latest novel is Chosen Family.
Hear author Madeleine Gray discuss the meteoric success of her debut novel, Green Dot, winner of the Russell Prize for Humour Writing and the Australian Book Industry Awards’ New Writer of the Year, before turning to her acclaimed new novel, Chosen Family—a witty, moving exploration of queer friendship, love and the messy entanglements of modern relationships. With Charlotte Guest.
Saturday 17 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Lelia Green is Professor of Communications in Edith Cowan University’s School of Arts and Humanities and a Chief Investigator for the Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. In addition, Lelia is working on ARC grants that investigate what teens want in a ‘porn literacy’ curriculum, and how they want adults to handle threats to their intimate digital communication, including image based sexual harassment and abuse, and sextortion. She’s researched children’s digital lives from birth to eighteen across the past quarter century. Her new book is The Digital Child: Creating Confident Children.
One year on, our expert panel will weigh the wins, the drawbacks and what comes next. Has the world-first social media ban for children delivered on its promise, or should it be scrapped, strengthened or fine-tuned? Tackling one of the most contentious issues facing families and children today will be our panel Virginia Trioli, Dr Lelia Green, and Dr Lisa Given. With Dr Dylan Bird.
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
buy tickets
Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors and Australian Children’s Laureate 2026–27. His books are published all over the world and include the JUST! books and the Treehouse series. Andy’s latest series, You and Me, features YOU the reader as one of the main characters. Andy is also an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the Pyjama Foundation, and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2015 to honour his outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.
For our final 2026 festival event, get ready for a big, bookish burst of fun! Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths is passionate about connecting children to the power of books, reading and literacy. He’ll bring his unstoppable energy, wild imagination and signature humour to this lively, interactive session for kids, families and passionate readers of all ages. Expect hilarious stories, brilliant ideas, creative chaos and plenty of audience participation!
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm – 4.00pm
$30 includes entry and snacks for two kids and their adult
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Billy Griffiths is a writer and historian at Deakin University. He is the bestselling author of Deep Time Dreaming, which has won prizes in literature, archaeology and history, including Book of the Year at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. He lectures in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies and holds a research fellowship with the Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation.
Leading Indigenous thinkers Tristan Kennedy and Billy Griffiths explore their powerful new books, Nothing About Us Without Us and The First Inventors, revealing the extraordinary depth of 65,000 years of Indigenous innovation, knowledge and ingenuity. Together, they explore how First Nations knowledge has endured and thrived in a world shaped by Western ways of thinking. With Francis Leach.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Charlotte Guest’s debut novel Kookaburra won the 2026 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript, and will be published by Allen & Unwin in 2027. Charlotte has worked in the book industry for nearly a decade, and was shortlisted for BookPeople’s Bookseller of the Year Award in 2024.
Hear author Madeleine Gray discuss the meteoric success of her debut novel, Green Dot, winner of the Russell Prize for Humour Writing and the Australian Book Industry Awards’ New Writer of the Year, before turning to her acclaimed new novel, Chosen Family—a witty, moving exploration of queer friendship, love and the messy entanglements of modern relationships. With Charlotte Guest.
Saturday 17 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Chris Hammer is a leading Australian author of crime fiction with sales of over 1.5 million copies around the world. His first novel, Scrublands, was an instant bestseller and has since been turned into a hit television series. His follow up books have all become bestsellers and his new book Full Circle will be his ninth crime novel. Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than thirty years, dividing his career between covering Australian federal politics and international affairs.
Get inside the minds of two of Australia’s bestselling crime writers. Chris Hammer and Sarah Bailey reveal the secrets behind gripping plots, unforgettable characters and atmospheric settings, as they reveal their latest page-turners Full Circle and Click. They’ll also lift the lid on the thrills—and the risks—of seeing a story brought to life on screen. With Mark Smith.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Authors Chris Hammer, Allee Richards and Leah Swann explore the dark side of Australia’s coastal towns, where stunning landscapes conceal secrets, violence and buried truths. Their gripping novels take us from idyllic seaside communities to sinister discoveries, asking why these remote coastal places make such perfect spots to bury bodies and uncover secrets. With Bella Lloyd.
Sunday 25 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Hilary Harper has been ferreting out ordinary people's extraordinary stories for over 30 years, including 20 at the ABC, on Local Radio, on Life Matters, and most recently as a weekday afternoon host on Radio National. Her own book of real-life love stories, Love Matters, will be out in February 2027. Her life goal is to one day own enough bookshelves.
Acclaimed Chinese-Australian ballet dancer, artistic director and bestselling author Li Cunxin talks about his extraordinary life, from rural China to the world stage. He discusses The Lucky Son, the powerful sequel to his award-winning memoir Mao’s Last Dancer, and the experiences that have shaped his unique story. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Three remarkable women share three extraordinary stories of courage, discovery and resilience. Lisa Wilkinson introduces Titanic survivor Evelyn Marsden; Diana Thorp reveals the secret world of Australian women code breakers in WWII; and Micaela Sahhar explores her inheritance as the daughter of a Nakba survivor. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Antoun Issa is a Lebanese-Australian journalist and founder of Deepcut News. After completing his Master of International Relations at the Australian National University, he moved to Lebanon in 2011 where he worked as a journalist during the heights of the Arab Spring. Antoun relocated to Washington DC in 2015 where he worked at the Middle East Institute, a US thinktank, before joining The Atlantic as an editorial strategist. He returned to Australia in 2020, joining The Guardian Australia until his departure in 2024.
With the Victorian election just a month away, what does Australia’s rapidly shifting political landscape—at both federal and state levels—tell us about the issues voters believe the major parties are failing to address? We’ll explore why increasing numbers of voters are looking beyond the traditional political parties, the role of media and tech in amplifying extreme voices, what the rise of minor and populist parties signals about the electorate, and whether Australia’s two-party system still reflects the political realities of a rapidly changing country. Join us for a robust and thought-provoking discussion about power, protest, populism and the future of Australian politics, with former politician Bob Carr, journalist Antoun Issa, populism expert Dr Imogen Richards, and others. Moderated by journalist Nicole Chvastek.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm – 8.45pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
buy tickets
Micaela Sahhar, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Find Me at the Jaffa Gate, Moreno Giovannoni, 2026 Age Book of the Year winner for The Immigrants, and Antoun Issa, author of Rebirth, explore their parents’ experiences in Palestine, Italy and Lebanon—and the extraordinary personal stories, memories and histories that compel them to put family life onto the page. With Louise Adler.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm (bar from 2.00pm)
$30 / $22
buy tickets
Professor Tristan Kennedy is a Noongar Aboriginal man and Monash’s first Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice-President. He was previously Associate Professor and Director of Research Training at the Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. An internationally recognised researcher and educator, drawing on his own research to contribute to improved outcomes for Indigenous staff, students and the wider community, Kennedy’s research interests are Indigenous studies and education, as well as identities in online spaces. Kennedy is also a member of the Kaurna community in South Australia. His new book is Nothing About Us Without Us.
Leading Indigenous thinkers Tristan Kennedy and Billy Griffiths explore their powerful new books, Nothing About Us Without Us and The First Inventors, revealing the extraordinary depth of 65,000 years of Indigenous innovation, knowledge and ingenuity. Together, they explore how First Nations knowledge has endured and thrived in a world shaped by Western ways of thinking. With Francis Leach.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Francis Leach is a broadcaster, journalist and communications strategist whose career has taken him from the studios of Triple J to six FIFA World Cups, federal politics and human rights campaigning — with plenty of conversations, arguments and adventures along the way. Currently host of ABC Radio’s national Overnights program, Francis has spent more than three decades across Australian radio and television, including ABC Grandstand, Offsiders, News Breakfast and 1116 SEN. He created the Sports Writers Festival and curated La Trobe University’s Bold Thinking series.Francis has also worked as a senior political adviser and communications strategist in Federal Parliament, the ACTU and the Australian Law Reform Commission. He also helped lead the campaign for Australian Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions, which grew from a 2017 meeting in London with campaigner Sir Bill Browder.
Leading Indigenous thinkers Tristan Kennedy and Billy Griffiths explore their powerful new books, Nothing About Us Without Us and The First Inventors, revealing the extraordinary depth of 65,000 years of Indigenous innovation, knowledge and ingenuity. Together, they explore how First Nations knowledge has endured and thrived in a world shaped by Western ways of thinking. With Francis Leach.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
buy tickets
Comic virtuoso and master interviewer Shaun Micallef has the spotlight turned back on himself for once, taking us on a lively romp through his extraordinary career, his reading life and two very different 2026 releases: the madcap vampire novel De’Ath Takes a Holiday and a work of non-fiction, Matthew Flinders: a definitive and indisputable history of the man who mapped Australia. With Francis Leach.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Li Cunxin AO was born in communist China in 1961, the sixth of seven sons in a poor rural family. His life under Chairman Mao’s regime changed dramatically when, at the age of eleven, he was chosen to become a student at the Beijing Dance Academy. Li went on to become one of the finest male dancers in the world, and was principal dancer at Houston Ballet and the Australian Ballet. From 2012 until the end of 2023 he was artistic director at Queensland Ballet, and in 2025 he was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Prix de Lausanne for his outstanding contribution to the arts and dance. Li's memoir, Mao's Last Dancer, is one of the most successful autobiographies of all time. It was published around the world and has been adapted into a young readers’ edition, a picture book, a stage play and a major motion picture. His new memoir is The Lucky Son.
Acclaimed Chinese-Australian ballet dancer, artistic director and bestselling author Li Cunxin talks about his extraordinary life, from rural China to the world stage. He discusses The Lucky Son, the powerful sequel to his award-winning memoir Mao’s Last Dancer, and the experiences that have shaped his unique story. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Bella Lloyd is co-owner of Heads & Tales Bookstore in Barwon Heads, which she opened in 2023 with Emma Cahill, fulfilling a lifelong dream. As a bookseller, Bella specialises in contemporary fiction and cookbooks and loves all things analogue. She facilitates monthly book clubs and author events and is passionate about bringing local and international authors to a regional audience. She was nominated for Young Bookseller of the Year in 2025. Prior to opening the bookstore, Bella worked as a publicist at Hachette and Hardie Grant.
Authors Chris Hammer, Allee Richards and Leah Swann explore the dark side of Australia’s coastal towns, where stunning landscapes conceal secrets, violence and buried truths. Their gripping novels take us from idyllic seaside communities to sinister discoveries, asking why these remote coastal places make such perfect spots to bury bodies and uncover secrets. With Bella Lloyd.
Sunday 25 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Judith Lucy has written four books now (Jesus). She’s done a lot of stand-up and made some TV shows. Since her last book, Turns Out, I’m Fine, she’s toured another show with Denise Scott, Still Here along with Kaz and Jude’s Menopausal Night Out with Kaz Cooke, made the ABC podcast series Overwhelmed and Living, played Winnie in the MTC’s Happy Days, become a member of the Order of Australia and taken ayahuasca in the Amazon rainforest. Her latest book, Well, Well, Well is Judith’s hilarious first-hand exploration of wat works, and what seriously doesn’t work, in the wellness world.
Join in the fun as the beloved ABC podcast series is performed like an old-fashioned radio play: script-in-hand, in front of a live audience. Performed by original cast members and narrated by writer and Fitzroy Diaries creator Lorin Clarke. Featuring cameos from Judith Lucy, Kaz Cooke and Shaun Micallef. Audience participation on a hands-up basis!
Friday 23 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$40/$30
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Comedy legend Judith Lucy takes a hilarious, irreverent look at our complicated obsession with wellness. After burnout left her feeling ‘like a used nappy’, Judith embarked on a quest to feel better. From wellness fads to questionable remedies, she shares the misadventures and hard-won insights behind her riotous new book Well, Well, Well, asking: in our relentless pursuit of wellbeing, are we actually making ourselves feel worse? With Elizabeth McCarthy.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm (bar from 2.00pm)
$40/$30
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Shaun Micallef is an Australian comedian, writer, actor, producer, author and bon vivant. After several years of practising law, Micallef threw it all away for a life in comedy. He has been a regular on Australian TV for more than two decades, although his output has been anything but predictable, ranging from chat shows and sitcoms to improvisation, drama and feature films. He is possibly the most loved comedian in Australia and has won just about every award going. Shaun lives in Melbourne with his wife, three children and the motto, ‘When you start quoting yourself, it’s time to stop writing.’ His latest books are De’Ath Takes a Holiday and Matthew Flinders: a definitive and indisputable history of the man who mapped Australia.
Join in the fun as the beloved ABC podcast series is performed like an old-fashioned radio play: script-in-hand, in front of a live audience. Performed by original cast members and narrated by writer and Fitzroy Diaries creator Lorin Clarke. Featuring cameos from Judith Lucy, Kaz Cooke and Shaun Micallef. Audience participation on a hands-up basis!
Friday 23 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$40/$30
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Comic virtuoso and master interviewer Shaun Micallef has the spotlight turned back on himself for once, taking us on a lively romp through his extraordinary career, his reading life and two very different 2026 releases: the madcap vampire novel De’Ath Takes a Holiday and a work of non-fiction, Matthew Flinders: a definitive and indisputable history of the man who mapped Australia. With Francis Leach.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$40/$30
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Dr Bushra Othman is a Palestinian-Australian General Surgeon from Melbourne/Naarm and was the first Australian Palestinian woman – and Muslim woman – to volunteer as a surgeon in Gaza. She is currently in her final year of colorectal subspecialty training and has been honoured to complete three medical missions to Gaza over the past two years. Bushra is the editor and introducer of The Weight of Witness: The Experiences of Australian and New Zealand Medics in Gaza.
Palestinian-Australian surgeon Dr Bushra Othman shares powerful insights into the extraordinary work of Australian volunteer medics on the ground in Palestine. She discusses The Weight of Witness, the new book she has edited documenting 40 medics’ experiences in Gaza, and explores how the IHRA definition of antisemitism will affect healthcare workers’ ability to speak openly about their service. With Bob Carr.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm
$30 / $22
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Allee Richards’ short fiction has been published widely in Australian literary magazines and anthologies. Her debut novel, Small Joys of Real Life, was shortlisted for the 2019 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers and the 2020 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. Her second novel, A Light in the Dark, was published in 2023. Her new novel is Tight Lines. Allee lives in Melbourne and works as a theatre lighting technician.
Authors Chris Hammer, Allee Richards and Leah Swann explore the dark side of Australia’s coastal towns, where stunning landscapes conceal secrets, violence and buried truths. Their gripping novels take us from idyllic seaside communities to sinister discoveries, asking why these remote coastal places make such perfect spots to bury bodies and uncover secrets. With Bella Lloyd.
Sunday 25 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Dr Imogen Richards is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Deakin University. Her research examines comparative forms of political violence, with a particular focus on the mediation of violence and its dynamics. She is the author and editor of several monographs and collections on topics including media representations of the far right, the aesthetic politics of far-right environmental movements and parties, the intersections of neoliberalism and neo-jihadism, the uses of global heating by the Australian far right, and contemporary expressions of public criminology.
With the Victorian election just a month away, what does Australia’s rapidly shifting political landscape—at both federal and state levels—tell us about the issues voters believe the major parties are failing to address? We’ll explore why increasing numbers of voters are looking beyond the traditional political parties, the role of media and tech in amplifying extreme voices, what the rise of minor and populist parties signals about the electorate, and whether Australia’s two-party system still reflects the political realities of a rapidly changing country. Join us for a robust and thought-provoking discussion about power, protest, populism and the future of Australian politics, with former politician Bob Carr, journalist Antoun Issa, populism expert Dr Imogen Richards, and others. Moderated by journalist Nicole Chvastek.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
7.30pm – 8.45pm (bar from 6.30pm)
$30 / $22
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Micaela Sahhar is an Australian-Palestinian writer and educator living on unceded Wurundjeri Country. Her essays, poetry and commentary have appeared in Cordite, Meanjin, Overland, Southerly and Sydney Review of Books, among others. Her first book, Find Me at the Jaffa Gate: an encyclopaedia of a Palestinian family (NewSouth) won the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction and the UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing at the 2026 NSW Literary Awards; it was shortlisted for two other NSW Literary Awards and longlisted for the 2026 Stella Prize.
Micaela Sahhar, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Find Me at the Jaffa Gate, Moreno Giovannoni, 2026 Age Book of the Year winner for The Immigrants, and Antoun Issa, author of Rebirth, explore their parents’ experiences in Palestine, Italy and Lebanon—and the extraordinary personal stories, memories and histories that compel them to put family life onto the page. With Louise Adler.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
2.45pm (bar from 2.00pm)
$30 / $22
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Three remarkable women share three extraordinary stories of courage, discovery and resilience. Lisa Wilkinson introduces Titanic survivor Evelyn Marsden; Diana Thorp reveals the secret world of Australian women code breakers in WWII; and Micaela Sahhar explores her inheritance as the daughter of a Nakba survivor. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Mark Smith is the author of six novels: Where Truth Ends, Three Boys Gone, The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land Of Fences and If Not Us. Wilder Country won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for YA and The Road To Winter is a popular text on school lists around the country. He is also an award-winning writer of short fiction whose work has been published in Australia and overseas. He is the co-curator of Minds Went Walking, Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms, Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined.
Get inside the minds of two of Australia’s bestselling crime writers. Chris Hammer and Sarah Bailey reveal the secrets behind gripping plots, unforgettable characters and atmospheric settings, as they reveal their latest page-turners Full Circle and Click. They’ll also lift the lid on the thrills—and the risks—of seeing a story brought to life on screen. With Mark Smith.
Saturday 24 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Leah Swann is an award-winning fiction author, journalist and speechwriter. Her bestselling debut novel Sheerwater was published by HarperCollins in 2020 and won the Davitt Award for Best Debut Novel in 2021. Her critically acclaimed collection of stories, Bearings, was published by Affirm Press in 2011 and praised by author Amanda Lohrey as ‘masterly.’ Swann was the inaugural first place winner of the Overland Story Wine prize for her story That Inward Eye. Her literary fiction and essays have been published in Meanjin, The Best Australian Stories, The World to Come, Australian Love Stories, Award Winning Australian Writing, page seventeen, Review of Australian Fiction, Australian Country Style, Reflecting on Melbourne, The Herald, and Masthead.
Authors Chris Hammer, Allee Richards and Leah Swann explore the dark side of Australia’s coastal towns, where stunning landscapes conceal secrets, violence and buried truths. Their gripping novels take us from idyllic seaside communities to sinister discoveries, asking why these remote coastal places make such perfect spots to bury bodies and uncover secrets. With Bella Lloyd.
Sunday 25 October
Wirrng Wirrng (Queenscliffe Hub)
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Maria Takolander is a Finnish-Australian writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She won the inaugural ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, was shortlisted for the inaugural ABR Peter Porter Poetry Prize, and won second prize in the 2026 ABR Calibre Essay Prize. She is the author of six books. Her short-story collection, The Double was shortlisted for the Melbourne Prize for Literature. Her most recent book of poetry, Trigger Warning, won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award. Her latest book is a dystopian novel, The End of Romance.
One of Australia’s most acclaimed and celebrated writers, Michelle de Kretser, offers a rare glimpse into her craft, career and creative inspirations. She discusses her Stella Prize–winning Theory & Practice, the novels that earned her two Miles Franklins and three Christina Stead literary awards, and the recent republication of The Hamilton Case. With Maria Takolander.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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What makes a book a ‘Classic’—and can a 21st-century work make the cut? Authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander each champion a favourite Australian or international work, and put their reps on the line debating, defending and challenging one another’s choices. Expect bold opinions, surprising picks and spirited bookish banter. With Michael Cathcart.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
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Diana Thorp is a journalist and teacher. After working for The Australian and its weekend magazine, she taught journalism at university. Her passion for history inspired her to become a teacher. Diana studied history, with a focus on Australian history and on gender, at Macquarie University, and studied ancient Egyptian history at Monash University. Her thesis looked at ancient Egyptian literature. Her new book is Code of Silence: How Australian Women Helped Win the War.
Three remarkable women share three extraordinary stories of courage, discovery and resilience. Lisa Wilkinson introduces Titanic survivor Evelyn Marsden; Diana Thorp reveals the secret world of Australian women code breakers in WWII; and Micaela Sahhar explores her inheritance as the daughter of a Nakba survivor. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$30 / $22
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Virginia Trioli is a journalist, broadcaster and author. She is a two-time Walkley Award-winner and lives in Melbourne with her husband and son. She is the author of Generation F: Sex, Power and the Young Feminist, and her latest book is A Bit on the Side: Reflections On What Makes Life Delicious.
One year on, our expert panel will weigh the wins, the drawbacks and what comes next. Has the world-first social media ban for children delivered on its promise, or should it be scrapped, strengthened or fine-tuned? Tackling one of the most contentious issues facing families and children today will be our panel Virginia Trioli, Dr Lelia Green, and Dr Lisa Given. With Dr Dylan Bird.
Sunday 25 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Lisa Wilkinson AM is one of Australia's most well-known and admired media identities. An early groundbreaking publishing career — Lisa was the youngest-ever editor of a national magazine, Dolly, at the age of twenty-one, she then spent ten years as editor of the iconic and bestselling Cleo magazine. Following over a decade as cohost of the Nine Network's Today Show, in 2017, Lisa accepted a new challenge by joining the Ten Network as host of its primetime award-winning news and current affairs program, The Project. 2026 has seen Lisa’s book The Titanic Story of Evelyn become a national bestseller.
Australian restaurateur, writer and food icon Stephanie Alexander takes us inside the remarkable legacy of The Cook’s Companion—the beloved kitchen bible that has shaped generations of Australian home cooks. Thirty years, and 550,000 copies, after the book’s first publication, Stephanie reflects on its enduring influence and cultural impact and its place in Australia’s culinary history. With Lisa Wilkinson.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
11.15am
$30 / $22
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Veteran journalist Lisa Wilkinson reveals what drew her to history and the compelling story behind her bestselling work of historical non-fiction, The Titanic Story of Evelyn. She will take us behind the headlines of her extraordinary career, reflecting on the defining moments and remarkable stories that have shaped her life in journalism. With Sophie Black.
Saturday 17 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
4.30pm (bar from 4.00pm)
$30 / $22
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Three remarkable women share three extraordinary stories of courage, discovery and resilience. Lisa Wilkinson introduces Titanic survivor Evelyn Marsden; Diana Thorp reveals the secret world of Australian women code breakers in WWII; and Micaela Sahhar explores her inheritance as the daughter of a Nakba survivor. With Hilary Harper.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
9.30am
$30 / $22
buy tickets
What makes a book a ‘Classic’—and can a 21st-century work make the cut? Authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander each champion a favourite Australian or international work, and put their reps on the line debating, defending and challenging one another’s choices. Expect bold opinions, surprising picks and spirited bookish banter. With Michael Cathcart.
Sunday 18 October
Queenscliff Town Hall
1.00pm
$30 / $22
buy tickets
Queenscliffe Literary Festival acknowledges the Traditional Owners of these lands and waters, the Wadawurrung people. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and recognise their continued custodianship of these lands and waters. We honour the diversity and vitality of over 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture and storytelling..
© 2026 Queenscliffe Literary Festival Inc.
