19.9 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Kirby, Littlemore for Writers’ Fest

Latest News

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Other News

Community grants on offer

Ingrained Foundation is running its fifth annual grants program, with a funding pool of $150,000.

How the coral crisis affects other marine wildlife

Marine heatwaves are killing coral and denuding reefs of their colourful beauty – but in a world where everything is food for something else, these heatwaves also pose a major threat to biodiversity.

Urgent appeal

At last Thursday’s Byron Council meeting a long and dedicated campaign to save rail tracks and restore trains in...

Bay FM community radio celebrates digital upgrade

Volunteers from Byron and across the Northern Rivers celebrated nearly $100,000 worth of new studio equipment at Bay FM Community Radio station on the weekend.

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

Could the future of the Richmond River be a clean and healthy one?

Imagine a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Richmond River? That is the aim of the Richmond Riverkeepers Association.

Outspoken former High Court judge Michael Kirby, and high-profile QC and former Media Watch presenter Stuart Littlemore, will be special guests at this year’s Byron Bay Writers’ Festival.

The two great names, who have helped shaped modern Australia’s legal and political debate, will each bring their own brand of gravitas, humour and charisma to the event.

They will appear alongside other Australian writers and activists who have given us alternative visions of how we can think of ourselves. They include Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith author Thomas Keneally, young solo sailor Jessica Watson, and Australian Youth Climate Coalition co-founder Anna Rose.

As a judge in Australia’s highest court of appeal, Sir Michael Kirby was well known for his outspoken views and passionate advocacy for the causes he believed in and for his ability to argue them in a most eloquent and persuasive manner. He served on many national and international bodies, including the World Health Organization’s Global Commission on AIDS, the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee and the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights.

Now that he has stepped away from the restrictions of his professional role his voice is louder than ever on a broad range of topics from gay marriage to ethics, human rights and preserving Australia as a constitutional monarchy.

At this year’s festival, Kirby will discuss his shift from law into the world of documentary through the creation of his 2010 film Michael Kirby: Don’t Forget the Justice Bit. Voted as one of Australia’s top ten creative minds by The Bulletin magazine, Kirby will give us insight into the man behind the story, in the lead-up to the launch of his biography Law, Love & Life. Kirby will be joined by documentary maker and biographer Daryl Dellora at the festival to discuss his view from the bench.

Every first-time novelist is advised to ‘write what you know’ and that advice would have given Stuart Littlemore a large pool to draw from when writing his first novel Harry Curry: Counsel of Choice.

Littlemore has been a presenter of one of journalists’ most feared television programs, Media Watch, and as a barrister he’s represented high-profile clients including Pauline Hanson and Mercedes Corby in defamation actions against media outlets. Littlemore even made guest cameo appearances in the much-loved Australian satire Frontline. In his novel, Littlemore’s protagonist is suspended for professional misconduct and in twists of the plot he explores society’s underbelly and how to find loopholes in the law.

The Byron Bay Writers’ Festival takes place 3–5 August. It is an event that draws together thousands of literature lovers and hundreds of guest writers. For further information visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com or call the booking hotline on 1300 368 552.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.