Program MARCH 13-15 2020 Notes Welcome to the Upper Hunter Over many years, volunteers have vigorously raised funds and very generously contributed their time to build this important festival. I commend the Scone Literary Festival committee on their enterprise, development and growth; in no small part thanks to their patron Phillip Adams. The growth is also attributable to the attractiveness of the Upper Hunter as a location where they have unmasked incredible cerebral celebrities. The festival brings a fantastic culture to our community and in these particularly tough times brought about by drought, it is a welcome relief to have community events such as this festival to encourage and support entertainment and mental well-being. In 2019, Upper Hunter Shire Council was approached to lend support to the festival and we unanimously and enthusiastically did so. As a destination we offer fresh air, wide open spaces, heritage architecture and – even in drought – magnifi cent countryside that has inspired making noteworthy writers. Come along in March 2020, bring an open mind and maybe a pen and journal to start your own story. Wayne Bedggood Mayor President’s Welcome In March 2019, the SLF committee and some of its founding ‘parents’ got together to do some good old fashioned planning, starting with ‘why do we exist, what’s our purpose?’ It became very clear very quickly that our purpose was to promote the “love of words” in all its literary forms, and that we would do that in ways that stimulated great conversation and debate. And while we have ambitious plans for our future, we made a promise to keep our intimacy and informality; to quote David Marr, a guest at the 2018 Festival: “So rare these days: a literary festival both ambitious and intimate.” We also see ourselves playing a major role in the revitalisation of Scone post by-pass. As Scone grows, we will grow too. The Upper Hunter Shire Council rewarded our growth plans with a signifi cant investment for which we are most grateful. With that ‘seed’ funding has come a revamp with a new logo, a new website and a new program with two annual events – The Patrick White Oration in November and the three-day Festival in March. We are thrilled to present our 2020 Program which we hope you will not only enjoy but fi nd rewarding, stimulating and fun. Book early as we do have limited seating – at least for 2020. There are single ticket sessions, day passes, a full weekend pass – the best value – as well as our fundraiser, The Bush Poets’ Breakfast, back by popular demand. The Scone Literary Festival thrives on hard work, enthusiasm and a great deal of faith. We enjoy wonderful support in our community and I want to acknowledge our partners and supporters, without whom this Festival, now in its sixth year, could not thrive. Thank you to my fabulous committee for all your hard work and support. I look forward to seeing you at the March Festival. We very much appreciate your support. To the Love of Words. Janie Jordan President of the Scone Literary Festival We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. FRIDAY March 13 WORKSHOP SINGLE TICKET EVENT FUNDRAISER ENTERTAINMENT 10.30am - 11.30am SESSION 1: YOUNG READERS PROGRAM Venue: Scone Library Sophie Masson, AM, award winning children’s author with illustrator, Kathy Creamer. Hosted by: Paula Stevenson 10.30am - 12.30pm SESSION 2: YOUNG READERS PROGRAM Venue: Murrurundi Library Samantha Tidy - join Samantha for an interactive workshop based on her celebrated book, The Day We Built The Bridge. Hosted by: Peter Carlin 10.30am - 3.00pm Primary Writers Workshop Venue: Scone Grammar School Facilitated by UNLOAD Creative Writing Hub - open to years 5 and 6 students with a keen interest in writing from all primary schools in the shire. High School Music Writing Workshop Sharing the love of words through music storytelling Venue: Scone Grammar School UHSC high schoolers will have the chance to learn how to tell powerful, potentially award-winning stories through music with singer, songwriter, producer, author, playwright and Australian Idol winner, Power FM Radio Breakfast co-host: Damien Leith 10.00am - 11.30am BUSH POETS SESSION AT STRATHEARN Venue: Strathearn Retirement Village, Gundy Road, Scone A first for Strathearn and the Scone Literary Festival presenting our fabulous bush poets over morning tea. 12.00pm - 2.00pm MERRIWA LITERARY LUNCH Venue: CWA, 159 Bettington Street, Merriwa Cost: $35.00 per person SLF presents first major satellite event with Australian rural fiction writers, Nicole Alexander and Richard Anderson for a lively discussion on Crime and History in the Bush. This event is a partnership with Upper Hunter Library in association with CWA. Enjoy the fabulous hospitality and food from the CWA and have the chance to get involved. 6.30pm for 7.00pm FESTIVAL DINNER Venue: Kingdon Street, Scone Cost: $100.00 per person This is the first Festival dinner for the community; one long table outside the Scone Arts and Crafts Hall in Kingdon Street where we will share food and swap stories. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character! Prizes will be awarded! Dinner will feature local wines, and some local produce. Special guest speaker to entertain us. SATURDAY March 14 WORKSHOP SINGLE TICKET EVENT FUNDRAISER ENTERTAINMENT 9.00am - 9.30am WELCOME MORNING TEA & BOOK SIGNING Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall 9.30 am - 9.40am OFFICIAL OPENING AND WELCOME TO COUNTRY 9.40am - 10.30am HISTORY, POLITICS AND BIG INTERVIEWS Cost: $25.00 Single ticket event Kerry O’Brien in conversation with Phillip Adams. With support from Hunter Writers Centre 10.35am - 11.30am ETHICS IN AN AGE OF DOUBT: HOW DO WE BUILD AN ETHICAL SOCIETY? Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall You don’t have to look far today to fi nd ethical failures causing widespread social disruption: fake news, the growing power of tech companies, dishonest political campaigning, child sex abuse scandals and cover ups within religious institutions and the rise of alt-right agitators giving new license to racism, misogyny and hatred. What are the building blocks for social growth in a disrupted age? Do we need an ethical infrastructure to help us navigate through these diffi cult times? And how should individual agitators, critics and commentators engage with institutions and the public to build social cohesion and a better society? Father Rod Bower, Kerry O’Brien, Jane Caro in conversation with Dr. Matt Beard, The Ethics Centre 11.30am - 11.40am BREAK 11.40am - 12.30pm WORDS AND SYMBOLS: REDEFINING GENDER Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall In the wake of #MeToo, gender imbalance and how women and men are differently damaged by our stratifi ed gender expectations, this esteemed panel is sure to crack open the conversation about gender equality. Jane Caro, Georgie Dent, David Leser Hosted by: Nicole Abadee 12.30pm - 1.20pm LUNCH Including book signing and Pop-Up Poetry After lunch audience splits into separate sessions at Court House Theatre and Arts & Crafts Hall. SATURDAY March 14 WORKSHOP SINGLE TICKET EVENT FUNDRAISER ENTERTAINMENT 1.30pm - 2.30pm - SESSIONS Food For Thought Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall Is regenerative agriculture the future of food? Some pundits say that it is the necessary path forward to resolve many of the current problems in our food system. Who better than a food writer and chef, a scientist and a regenerative farmer to discuss this important topic? Matthew Evans , Gillian Sanbrook, Julian Cribb Hosted by: Barbara Sweeney Crime, Bushrangers, Rural Life And Crime In The Australian Bush Venue: Court House Theatre Australian rural crime stories are rating their socks off. Why? Is it that fascination with criminal and aberrant behaviour, our voyeur nature, the battle between good and evil? This panel will explore the phenomenon including our fascination of Australian bushrangers. Chris Hammer, Greg Powell, Emma Viskic, Chief Justice Greg James QC, AM Hosted by: Jamelle Wells 2.30 pm - 3.30pm - SESSIONS The Misreporting And The Cancer Of Distrust: Bodies And Lies Of Science. Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall Science writing: is it proving anything? Is it another form of fake news? This panel will address misinformation and the fallacy of evidence-based science. Patrice Newell, Julian Cribb, James Whelan Hosted by: Magdalena Ball The Power Of Words: Sharing Life Experiences Venue: Court House Theatre These wonderful authors will share the stories of their lives – from literally breaking badly to navigating fame of winning a reality TV contest. Georgie Dent, Samantha Tidy, Alexandra Joel, Damien Leith Hosted by: Karen Crofts 3.30pm - 3.50pm AFTERNOON TEA, POP-UP POETRY 3.50pm - 5.00pm WHAT BOOKS WOULD YOU CHANGE THE ENDING AND WHY Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Main Hall Richard Glover and panel of guest speakers discuss important life moments. 5.30pm - 7.30pm SPECIAL EVENT: SOIRÉE SPECIAL TICKET EVENT Venue: Arts and Crafts Gardens Cost: $50.00 per person Come along and enjoy a beautiful evening of food, wine and music under the stars with the fabulous Stiff Gins. We will also be revealing the winners of this year’s High School Writing competition. SUNDAY March 15 WORKSHOP SINGLE TICKET EVENT FUNDRAISER ENTERTAINMENT 7.30am - 9.00am SPECIAL EVENT: BUSH POETS BREAKFAST Venue: Scone Arts and Crafts Gardens Cost: $20.00 per person. Join some of the Upper Hunter’s best bush poets in the gardens of Scone Arts & Crafts and enjoy breakfast and a coffee before Day 2 kicks off.