Fab cast of Whitsunday Voices!
This is a blog of absolute, from the bottom-of-my-heart,
unconditional gratitude to all the team who recently looked after me at the
Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival in Mackay. With 5000 students filing
through venues over two days, and a group of writers from all around the
country with various needs and dietary requirements, it can’t be easy
coordinating something now celebrating ten years of success.
As festivals go, and from my humble-authorly-opinion, Whitsunday
Voices was incredibly well organised. And truly, I have never been fed so many
fabulous baked-goods; biscuits, fudge and scones delivered to the green room at
the drop of a chef’s hat. I am still working of the calories!
Today, while I have many, my five gratefuls are:
Shannon Alexander and Madeleine Bowater come armed with chocolate!
STUDENT MINDERS: Over the two days of the festival, I was blessed
to have four minders who escorted me to and from venues, delivered me lunch,
offered to get coffee, and in fact, two even showed up with massive amounts of
chocolate in the arms. [Note to self:
remove references to your love of chocolate from your website Anita!] I want to thank these young ladies – pictured above
and below – for their hospitality and professionalism, but most significantly,
their capacity to laugh with me, especially when no one was in my signing
queue.
Awesome minders Jessica Fleming and Amy Lawless
YOUNG IT GIRLS: These beautiful Year 7 students (below) were
brimming with the enthusiasm that many of us only have after a double-shot of
coffee. Their smiling faces, interest in reading and IT skills made my day run
smoothly. I felt like I had a new group of younger sisters. Lucky me!
WILLIAM McINNES: Anyone who has heard this actor / writer
speak will understand why he’s one of my gratefuls. One of the best dinner
addresses I have ever experienced. Also got myself a signed copy of Worse Things
Happen at Sea: Tales of
Life, Love, Family illustrated by the late Sarah Watt.
NEW WRITERLY FRIENDS: The best thing about festivals is
meeting others in ‘your world’. Those who are obsessed with stories, writing
and sometimes illustrating too. This festival I got to hang out with someone
who likes food as much as me; children’s author Felice Arena was a barrel
of laughs (that’s him above with my dear friend Boori Pryor). Also go to hit
the dance-floor with one Anna Fienberg who boogies as deadly as she writes!
THE TEAM: Now, last but not least, a huge cyber-hug of
gratitude to Sonia Anderson and her amazing team pulling the festival together.
All the volunteers, parents, drivers, bakers, everyone! Collectively, you made
the experience of visiting Mackay for the first time a most memorable one. You
also reminded me why I do what I do. Thank you!
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