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October 20, 2026
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Writers Festival kids’ program drops

By The Echo

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Pictured are twins Amelie and Alessandra. Or is it Alessandra and Amelie? Either way, they made friends with the letter O at the Writers Festival a few years back. Photo Jeff ‘All About The Letters, Not Numbers’ Dawson.

As part of the upcoming Byron Writers Festival (August 8–10), the kids’ program returns to inspire the next generation with imagination and storytelling.

Held on Sunday, August 10 at Lilly Pilly and Coolamon marquees, the program will be hosted by comedian and author, Peter Helliar.

Joining him will be Tony Armstrong, Anita Heiss, Kirli Saunders, The Gumboots and many more.

A dynamic duo

Festival organisers say, ‘Catch Word Travels dynamic duo, Miles Merrill and Rachael Williams, kick things off with rhyme and rap. Making his exclusive Byron Writers Festival appearance is rising literary legend, Tony Armstrong, who’ll be sharing stories from George the Wizard and Maggie the Dragon. Expect a heartwarming ride through dreams, dragons, and big imaginations’.

‘Peter Helliar will take the stage with his own hilarious mystery, Detective Galileo. Then it’s storytime with Anita Heiss, featuring Koori Princess and Yirra and Her Deadly Dog, Demon. Kids can create their own story alongside Run author, Sarah Armstrong, before celebrating young writers at the Jesse Blackadder Prize Presentation.

Tipi village

‘Over at the Coolamon stage, the StoryBoard space comes alive with the iconic StoryBoard bus and tipi village offering free, drop-in workshops and story time sessions with some of the country’s most exciting children’s storytellers.

‘Start your day here with Afloat author Kirli Saunders, then buzz into biodiversity with Judy Friedlander and The Bee Squad.

Flower crowns

‘Kids can get crafty with flower crowns alongside Zanni Louise, before diving into poetry with Sarah Temporal and finishing with a drawing workshop led by Jake A Minton, creator of Inked: A Graphic Novel.
‘There’s more magic in store with joyful dance breaks with The Gumboots, and dazzling roving performers from Spaghetti Circus – yes, including stilt walkers!’
For the full Kids Program and tickets, visit www.byronwritersfestival.com/festival/kids-program.

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