General News
1 March, 2023
Change on the shelves
STORIES, music and laughs were shared at the official launch of the Change anthology collection last Sunday.
STORIES, music and laughs were shared at the official launch of the Change anthology collection last Sunday.
‘Change’ was compiled using a collection of short stories from 22 contributing authors that participated in the Warrnambool Storytelling Festival short story competition.
The launch began with live music provided by Russ Goodear at the Warrnambool RSL, before the book was officially unveiled.
Highlights of the night include the People’s Choice winner Caitlin Hoggan speaking on her experience of entering the Warrnambool Storytelling Festival short story contest, guest speaker Jock Serong sharing his experiences as an author, and the announcement of this year’s topic ‘If not now, when?’.
Warrnambool Storytelling Festival Planning committee chair Philip Liebelt announced this year’s festival launch date of June 9, and said the first week of events will be held in Terang.
“Giving writers an opportunity to have their work shared, both hearing some of them read but also seeing them published is an important part of the whole idea of the storytelling festival, which is about encouraging storytellers of all sorts; professionals, amateurs, writers, songwriters, etc,” he said.
“It’s part of a whole movement of encouraging storytelling in the community.
“It would be good if this movement continued to grow, and, if we can, celebrate those stories through the storytelling festival and make more people aware that there are people out there who are writing stories who aren’t Jock Serongs, but they have a creative spark and they want to express themselves through short stories.”
Planning committee member Les Harrison said around 25 people participated in the competition last year, and he hopes for around double this year.
“I think our hope is that we give those people a chance to have a career in writing, and there’s obviously there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity,” he said.
“There’s something a bit precious about having your story in writing.”
The event was well-received by the authors in attendance.
Author of ‘Home Truths – The Constancy of Change’ Patricia Streitberger said it is “excellent” the competition would return.
“I think it’s a really important part of community creativity, and it adds to the whole ethos of the community and their stories,” she said.
Planning Committee member Rosemary Knight said the competition would mean different things to the authors; while some may feel it made no difference, others may find it has changed their careers.
“They now not only feel that there’s a tribe of writers out there, similar people with similar ideas and interests, but that they’re being valued for what they have to say,” she said.
“It brings people together who have like minds.
“We’re hoping that people who were in it last year actually reapply now that they have more confidence and just the ability of being able to overcome the vulnerability of being so shy that you can’t say something in public.
“Anyone who does that, I’m so proud of them, and I hope we get twice as many or more than last year.”