General News
5 May, 2026
Hall stories and more on festival page
TWO years on from its first chapter, the Boort District School Writers’ Festival is ready to turn the page again with organisers hoping people bookmark the moment as the next instalment is revealed.
TWO years on from its first chapter, the Boort District School Writers’ Festival is ready to turn the page again with organisers hoping people bookmark the moment as the next instalment is revealed.
An impressive line-up of authors and comedians has been announced for this year’s festival on August 11.
Leading the bill is comedian Damian Callinan, back on familiar territory after previous performances in Loddon communities.
Callinan will come fresh from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his show Spoons.
Author Jane Godwin, who has written more than 50 books and was awarded the Pixie O’Harris Award in 2024 for her contribution to children’s literature, proving her career is anything but a short story.
She will be joined by Michael Wagner, a writer with more than 80 titles and multiple Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable and Honour Book listings, including his 2025 release Why I Love Christmas.
Castlemaine-based illustrator and graphic novelist Trace Balla will bring her nature-inspired storytelling to the festival, drawing on the landscapes and wildlife around her home.
New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney headlines the thriller offering. A co-creator of the #LoveOzYA campaign, she won the Davitt Award for Every Word and continues to write plots that keep readers on the edge of the page.
Rounding out the 2026 line-up will be musician and comedian Rusty Berther, one half of The Scared Weird Little Guys and a recent performer with comedy supergroup The Grats, bringing a soundtrack to storytelling.
Organiser Sharon Pickering said the festival continued to grow as a key event on the school and community calendar, offering something for all ages and interests — from first drafts to final editions.
Read More: Berrimal, Boort