Williamstown Literary Festival: Before There Were Books, There Were Storytellers

Melbourne was designated the first and only UNESCO City of Literature in Australia, and the second in the world. Spoken word, as both poetry and storytelling, is part of this city’s rich literary environment. Every night of the week, people gather to tell and listen to stories: in libraries, pubs, cafes, on stages and in drafty halls. Stories maybe packaged in books and films but the gentle art of telling is a sweet pleasure all of its own.

Storytelling Vic will be at the Willi Lit Fest with a session of stories to promote our key events, associations and partnerships.

• Fabled Nights in Newport is a monthly gathering on the third Friday of the month, held in partnership with Hobsons Bay Libraries.
• RAW Garden Storytelling in East Brighton is another partner event on the first Sunday of the month.

 Storytelling Vic also enjoys a supportive relationship with the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.

These storytellers are giving their time and talents to this festival in the west; a taste of the variety of tale spinning that goes on under our logo.

• Mary O'Meara tells personal stories of life growing up in Williamstown and Foostcray in the 1960s.
• Matt McArthur (Diver Matt) is a marine ecologist.  Living by the Bay in Altona, Matt is one of our science storytellers.
• Dave Davies is a member of the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club and has been reciting verse and telling tall stories for over 60 years. One of his favourites is C.J. Dennis.
• Durgah Devi Palanisamy (Dee) moved to Australia from Singapore almost two years ago. A member of the Singapore Storytelling Association, Dee is a link to our storytelling neighbours to the north. She also hosts our monthly gatherings at the RAW Garden. Dee specialises in Asian Folk Tale.
• Jackie Kerin has a passion for working with her Hobsons Bay community in collaborative projects highlighting the local wetlands and birds and Botanic Gardens through storytelling. Several years ago, she met musician Sarah Depasquale and the Newport Folk Club and they are now a familiar storytelling duo in the western suburbs of Melbourne and beyond. Jackie also hosts Fabled Nights in Newport for Storytelling Vic.

 Check our the Lit Fest details HERE
 Our event is..
WHERE: Williamstown Town Hall. 104 Ferguson Street Williamstown
WHEN: Sunday 18 June
TIME: 2.00 pm

This event is free but BOOKINGS are essential. come along and support us and enjoy a little of the Festival buzz and a coffee or a wine in Williamstown.

Thank you to the storytellers who are supporting storytelling at the Williamstown Literary Festival.

Glen Eira City Council Storytelling Festival

 There is much to explore in the rich program of events. For the spoken word enthusiasts, there are open mic opportunities through out the festival.

And the annual AUSTRALIAN FAIRY TALE SOCIETY CONFERENCE is nestled into this festival as well

WHEN: 22 June to 9 July
WHERE: Multiple venues - check out the website
ALL THE INFO HERE

Fabled Nights in Newport: 16 June

Matt McArthur (Diver Matt) weaving his spell at the the May Fabled Night

'Fabled Nights in Newport' is an open-hearted space for people who want to learn to craft true tales, traditional stories, tall tales and yarns; heart to heart and without notes. We welcome beginners and experienced folks. So come and strut your stuff, share what you know, try out a new story or tell a tale for the first time.
There's room for around 10 storytellers and we ask that stories be no longer than 10 minutes, give or take. We ask that stories be said not read.
Let kind hearts and commonsense prevail: racist and homophobic stories hurt people so please don't bring them to 'Fabled Nights'.

COST: $5.00 or $3.00 (Storytelling Vic and Newport Fiddle and Folk Club members). No Booking required.

'Fabled Nights in Newport' is a partnership event with Hobsons Bay Libraries and is supported by the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.

*The HUB has wheelchair access.

DATE: June 16
TIME: 7.30 - 10.00
PLACE: Newport HUB 13 Mason Street Newport (close to Newport Station)
PARKING: There is free parking at the rear of the building. Coming from Mason Street, turn left at Durkin Street then left into the car park. Entry to the HUB is from the park.

In May we were taken behind the scenes of a children's birthday party in a Fairy Shop, treated to a Norwegian tale of Troll magic, driving lessons in the 1950s, the power of small gestures of love, the risks of the workplace and a pourquoi story from Korea. And Matt shared a hilarious, visceral underwater experience - delivered with great style! Thanks to all who stayed and helped put the room back in order and clean up the kitchen. Without the storytellers and the listeners, urn boilers and the cake makers, there would be no Fabled Nights!

RAW Garden Storytelling 4 June

RAW Garden Storytelling is a partnership event with Mariam Issa and the RAW Garden and Storytelling Vic. The Garden celebrates the uniqueness and aspirations of multicultural women through gardening, storytelling, crafts and cooking. Durgah Devi Palanisamy (Dee) from Storytelling Vic is our host. Dee will have a mix of special guests and story games and there is always a space for friends to tell a tale.
WHEN: Sunday 4 June
WHERE: RAW Garden 325 South Road Brighton East
TIME: 12.00 - 2.00 PM
COST: $15.00 or $10.00 Storytelling Vic members
No booking necessary. Pay at the gate.
Tea and sweet snacks provided. Bring a small plate of something savoury to share.

 Here we are in MAY
At the May gathering we could see that the garden is shifting into winter mode. The trees are losing their leaves, the sky was grey but the storytellers were very cosy. 
 
Lucinda and Caroline had the urn boiling and rugs provided to keep us warm. Astrid came back to the garden with her traveling tale - The Pilgrim. And of course Dee kept the stories flowing.
 
Come and join us in June for more stories.

Breaking News from the Australian Fairy Tale Society

A BURSARY FOR THE AFTS CONFERENCE
 
We want as many people who are interested in exploring fairy tales from an Australian perspective to join us at our annual conference this year, and so, for the first time ever, the Australian Fairy Tale Society is thrilled to be able to offer a bursary.
Check out our website to download the application form and get it back to us by Friday 26 May. The decision will be made on or before 4 June, well in time for the conference.
Good luck! We really, really want to see you there!
Bursary includes:

• Conference registration
• Transport up to $250
• Accomodation up to $100 per night for 2 nights
• A 'fairy godmother/father" as conference mentor

Details HERE

ALSO A MEMBERSHIP OFFER ...

Join or renew your AFTS membership before you register for the conference and you can save -
$95 for non members (already pretty inexpensive for an all day conference)
or $65 for members + $25 annual membership fee = $90 total for a year of being part of our community.
Current members, now is your time. Remember membership expires on 31 May and we don't want to lose you.

Membership details HERE 

(Thanks for keeping us in the loop AFTS)