Byron Writers Festival 2024 Program Announced

Australia’s largest regional writers’ festival, the Byron Writers Festival, has announced its full program for 2024, scheduled for August 9-11. This year’s theme, ‘From the ground up,’ will be explored by 160 writers, including notable figures such as Trent Dalton, Richard Flanagan, Jane Harper, Melissa Lucashenko, Charlotte Wood, Bruce Pascoe, Bob Brown, Julia Baird, Nam Le, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Lynette Noni, Bryan Brown, Tony Birch, William McInnes, Chigozie Obioma, Caoilinn Hughes, Tayi Tibble, Meena Kandasamy, Louise Milligan, Kim Williams, Kerry O’Brien, and many others.

The festival, set in the picturesque Bundjalung Country in Bangalow, near Byron Bay, offers writing workshops, book launches, a children’s program, and events across the Northern Rivers region. Jessica Alice, the incoming Artistic Director, curated the 2024 program, emphasising the theme’s focus on community mobilisation and new beginnings.

International and Bestselling Authors

Among the international guests are Chigozie Obioma, a two-time Booker Prize finalist; Caoilinn Hughes, a significant Irish literary voice; Leo Vardiashvili, a UK-based novelist; Meena Kandasamy, an Indian activist; and award-winning Maori poet Tayi Tibble.

Featured Conversations and Panels

• Trent Dalton in conversation with Julia Baird
• Charlotte Wood and Ailsa Piper on grief and forgiveness
• Richard Flanagan on his memoir Question 7
• David Marr on colonial myths
• Steph Tisdell on writing with humor
• Crime Writers: Jane Harper, Candice Fox, Matthew Condon, Bryan Brown in conversation with Jennifer Byrne

Memoir and Music

• Kon Karapanagiotidis‘s Greek kitchen
• Priya Nadesalingam’s Home to Biloela
• Nicky Winmar‘s stand against racism
• Gideon Haigh on his brother’s loss
• Rebecca Huntley‘s memoir Sassafras
• Jim Moginie and Kate Ceberano on the music industry
• Suzie Miller on her play Prima Facie
• William McInnes‘s memories of Australia

L-R (Row 1) Tayi Tibble, Trent Dalton, Kate Ceberano, Bob Brown, Meena Kandasamy, Bruce Pascoe. (Row 2) James Bradley, Steph Tisdell, Richard Flanagan, Jennifer Byrne, Chigozie Obioma, Julia Baird.

Climate and Environment

Special events feature Bob Brown, Richard Flanagan, David Lindenmayer, Ali Cobby Eckermann, and Sue Higginson discussing environmental topics. Other speakers include James Bradley, Joelle Gergis, and Daniel Harrison.

Politics and Media

• Nick Bryant, John Lyons, and Meena Kandasamy on the ‘Mega Election Year’
• Kim Williams AM and Kerry O’Brien on the ABC’s future
• Amy McQuire, Louise Milligan, Nick Bryant, and Julianne Schultz on press freedom

Northern Rivers Writers

Over 40 local writers are featured, including Daniel Browning, Mykaela Saunders, Jodi Rodgers, Isabelle Reinecke, Mindy Woods, Annika Johansson, Mandy Nolan, and Rhoda Roberts AO.

Feature Events

Evening events include ‘Bob Brown in Conversation’ with Jan Fran and the festival keynote ‘Gala: From the ground up’. Other events feature William McInnes, Steph Tisdell, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Jim Moginie, and ‘Electric Poetics’ with Tayi Tibble, Meena Kandasamy, Nam Le, Jazz Money, Mitch King, and Nicole Smede.

Young Adult and Kids Programs

YA fiction fans can look forward to appearances by Lynette Noni, Lili Wilkinson, Steph Tisdell, and Graham Akhurst. The Kids Big Day Out program on Sunday morning features presentations by Bob Brown, Kate & Jol Temple, Peter Carnavas, and Matt Stanton, along with StorySpace workshops.

Festival Dates and Tickets

Byron Writers Festival 2024 will take place from August 9-11 at the Bangalow Showground and various venues.

Tickets are now on sale now.

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Balloon-Free Byron Shire Initiative

We are committed to making Byron Shire a balloon and single-use decoration-free zone! To protect our environment and marine life, we are banning balloons and other single-use decorations from all Council-owned or managed sites and road reserves.

Our Goals:

• Protect Sea Birds and Marine Life: Preventing balloon debris from harming wildlife.
• Minimise Landfill: Reducing waste that contributes to landfill.
• Reduce Litter: Keeping open spaces and beaches clean.

What Does the Ban Include?

• All Balloons: Including biodegradable, helium, latex, and water balloons.
• Accessories: Plastic disks, ribbons, and strings attached to balloons.
• Decorations: Glitter, confetti, streamers, tinsel, party poppers, and glow sticks.

Why Ban Latex and ‘Biodegradable’ Balloons?

Studies show that latex balloons do not degrade significantly even after 16 weeks in various environments. They persist in nature and pose threats to marine life.

Where Does the Ban Apply?

The ban covers all Council-owned or managed sites, including:

• Parks and playgrounds
• Community halls
• Sporting facilities like the Cavanbah Centre and swimming pools
• Road reserves (including letter boxes and street poles)

Alternatives to Balloons and Single-Use Decorations:

It’s easier than you think to celebrate sustainably. Here are some creative, reusable, and eco-friendly alternatives:

• Bunting: Reusable and can be made from scrap materials or recycled paper.
• Plants and Flowers: Great for table settings and arches, and can be composted afterward.
• Fairy Lights, Festoons, and Lanterns: Use them year after year.
• Bubbles, Kites, Pinwheels, and Ribbon Wands: Fun and colorful alternatives.
• Chalkboards, Artwork, and Paintings: Make your event visible and artistic.
• Leaf and Flower Confetti: An eco-friendly substitute for plastic or paper confetti.
• Party Kits: Borrow reusable party kits from local libraries or community groups. Learn more about Party Kits

Why Are We Banning Balloons?

Balloons are among the most lethal debris for ocean animals and the biggest killers of Australian sea birds. Turtles often mistake burst balloons for jellyfish. This issue is prevalent in our community, with local wildlife frequently affected by balloon and plastic debris.

Local governments across Australia are taking the lead by banning balloon releases and the use of balloons on Council-owned sites. Reducing waste is a crucial step in minimising our environmental footprint and keeping Byron Shire clean and healthy.

This initiative supports our Single-Use Packaging and Materials Policy, emphasising our commitment to environmental sustainability.

For more information about reusable and waste-free alternatives to single-use decorations, see here.

Let’s work together to make Byron Shire a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful place for all!

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Have your say on the future of Byron Bay foreshore

The Byron Shire community is invited to have their say on the future of the Byron Bay foreshore throughout June and July.

Byron Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway, said that a concept plan has been developed for the iconic area, which is one of the community’s most beloved places and attracts a huge amount of visitors every year. It is also of great importance to traditional landowners.

The plan proposes a range of changes and upgrades across four main areas including the Main Beach carpark, Apex Park, Dening Park and Clarkes Beach. The community’s invited to view the concept plan and have a say via Council’s website until 31 July.

“The foreshore area is quite degraded now and has accessibility and emergency access issues, so this plan will guide gradual upgrades to the site over the next ten years,” Mr Holloway said.

“Feedback from the community will be used to determine the best uses for different parts of the site, and also guide the relocation of The Beach Café at Clarkes Beach so that it’s further back from the dune,” he said.

“Some of the ideas proposed are to remove the exe-loos from Main Beach and build some much-needed and well-designed new toilet and shower facilities that can service this popular area into the future.

“One option for the community to consider is replacing the current ‘ocean view’ car park at Main Beach with green open space and a beautiful wide footpath promenade which will return the whole space to pedestrians and allow people to walk, roll or ride all the way from First Sun Caravan Park to the Lighthouse,” Mr Holloway said.

“To ensure there’s no net loss of car parking for the area, the plan proposes to use the existing car park behind the pool and build a multi-story carpark there – near the shops and tucked out of the way,” he said.

“However, we know that the ocean-view carpark is significant to the community, as well as generating significant income for Council, so there is also an option to keep it with a slight reduction in parking numbers to improve accessibility.”

“Council staff have looked at the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan and Main Beach Shoreline Project, as well as consulting with key stakeholders on the project, to develop a plan that reflects what everyone values,” Mr Holloway said.

“Now we want to hear from the wider community on what we’ve got right, what we’ve got wrong and whether there’s anything we’ve missed.” “We’re hosting some information sessions at Apex Park and farmers market in June and the July Byron Community Market to talk about the plan and answer questions, and people can review the foreshore plan and provide feedback anytime online via Council’s website until the end of July,” he said.

Information sessions about the Byron Bay Foreshore Plan will be held as follows:

• Thursday 20 June – Byron Farmers Market (6.30am – 11am)
• Saturday 22 June – Byron Surf Club (9am – 12pm)
• Thursday 27 June – Byron Farmers Market (6.30am – 11am)
• Friday 28 June – Apex Park, Byron Bay (2.30pm – 5.30pm)
• Sunday 7 July – Byron Community Market (7am – 2pm)

If you can’t make it to a session, you can have your say on the project via Council’s website until 31 July 2024.

For more Byron Bay news, click here.