ACT ON: Footscray West Writers Fest Closing Event
Description
Hosted by Shyaire Ganglani, local slam poets close out the festival by sharing what they will act on - with Hawraa Kash, Jason Voss, Lane Doe, Tariro Mavondo, Tej Munu, Antonio Montaine, Lian Cabe and Yaru.
Enjoy bagels, beers and beats in the Migrant Coffee backyard to mark the end of the 2026 Footscray West Writers Fest program.
Sponsored by Hop Nation and Athletes of Wine.
IMPORTANT BOOKING INFORMATION
Address: Migrant Coffee (backyard) 3/576 Barkly St, West Footscray, VIC 3012
Please arrive 10 minutes early
Transport
Train: West Footscray station (850m), Footscray station (1.8km), Tottenham (1.9 km)
Bus: Route 220 stops outside the venue
Bike: Bike parking outside the library at 539 Barkly St
Taxi/Rideshare: Can drop off directly in front
Car: Street parking in the area, and there is a carpark next to the post office at 528 Barkly St
Please note that this venue is accessible via the rear laneway only. We encourage attendees to contact us ahead of time if they have any questions about access or would like to discuss their needs.
Toilet facilities on premises.
Carer Tickets
A support person accompanying a person with disability is entitled to free entry.
Please select one Carer / Support Person – Free ticket with the purchase of a paid ticket. A valid Victorian Carer Card or Australian Companion Card must be presented at entry.
One free support ticket per eligible attendee.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive experience for everyone. Please let us know any accessibility needs when registering for this event or send us a message.
Lineup
Shyaire Ganglani
Shyaire (which aptly means poetry in Hindi) is a writer, slam poet and stand-up comic. Her performances have taken her from Melbourne to stages in Dubai, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid. She’s been published in Chaotic Musings Vol 1 & 2, Mavens Mag, and featured at events like UNESCO’s Slam-O-Vision, Malthouse’s The Hate Race, Poets for Palestine, and Melbourne Fashion Week 2024. Her work blends personal heartbreak with sharp social commentary. Shy’s currently working on a poetry anthology, a memoir, and two books (fiction and poetry) set to publish in 2025 with the support of a Creative Australia grant, if she doesn’t procrastinate for three years first.
Jason Voss
Some describe Jason, others choose not to. Six foot five of mostly chaos, Jason's poetry delves into the world of neurodiversity, mental health, politics and religion, all the best topics for a dinner party. An absolutely colossal pillar of strength and creative growth amongst his poetic community, guiding poets to their ultimate success and fruition through the years of sharing his wisdom and skills. This part is not true but his friends will hate reading it Jason is also one half of a creative collective ‘ Vibe Union’ running and MCing poetry for 5 years while publishing 3 poetry anthologies from their nights.
Hawraa Kash
Hawraa Kash is a Spoken Word Poet, MC, and HR professional in not-for-profit and community spaces, originally from Gadigal Land, now calling Naarm home. Demanding to be heard, Hawraa uses her poetry to create her own platform and provide a safe space for others. Her writing encompasses her passion for embracing vulnerabilities. She ventures into the realms of advocacy for women of colour, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and the trials and intersections of diaspora and identity.
Antonio Montaine
Antonio Montaine is a rhythm poet whose style is shaped by the pulse of Jazz and the edge of Hip Hop. His work dives into social and political issues, carrying both urgency and groove. The son of immigrant parents, Antonio grew up in the western suburbs of Melbourne (Naarm), and those roots shape the stories of culture, struggle, resilience and belonging. His voice reminds us that rhythm itself carries history, memory and movement. Antonio Montaine has featured at Perth Poetry Festival, Emerging Writers Festival, River Festival, Slamalamadingdong and Simba sessions. He is also a Australian Poetry Slam state Finalist, Slamalamdingdong winner, and Wordcraft slam winner. And his poems have featured in The Australian Poetry Journal (Digital), Homesick, House of Poetry, Chaotic Musings and Riverstone Literary Press.
Lane Doe
Lane Doe is an artist and writer living and making on Wurundjeri Country. He was the winner of the 2023 Slamalamadingdong season and was a national finalist twice in the 2023 National Youth Slam and the 2024 Australian Poetry Slam. Lane’s poetry lives off the page, embodied literally through gestural performance. His work, as both writer and artist, traverses personhood and place. Lane believes in curiosity, honesty, and growth through creativity.
Tariro Mavondo
Tariro is a Zimbabwean born Frankston raised creative who has been working in the arts sector for 15 years. She has built a healthy portfolio as a theatre director, multi award winning actor and spoken word poet, voice over artist, facilitator and writer. Tariro also equally enjoys time behind the scenes advocating for cultural diversity and systems change in the arts through her work as a past peer assessor for Creative Australia, Creative Victoria, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Green Room Awards, Theatre Network Australia and her previous role as co-CEO and Artistic Director and Western Edge. Her advocacy work has extended to being an Melbourne Theatre Company Cultural Ambassador, developing her skills as an Artistic Director through the Melbourne Theatre Company Women in Theatre program. Tariro also co-founded Africa’s Got Talent Australia, Still Waters African Women’s Storytelling Collective and Centre for Poetics Justice to elevate culturally diverse voices in mainstream spaces.
Tej Munu
Tej talks a lot. He’s performed in festivals, he’s performed in bars, he’s performed in the middle of traffic intersections to an audience of cars, but above all else, he’s just trying to be a good egg (sunny side up). A Gemini Sun, with anxiety rising. APS Poetry Finalist ‘24 RAW Comedy Finalist ‘24
Lian Cabe
One of the friendly faces you see at any open mic in Narrm. New to the game, the city, and their current skin. Exploring themes of identity, resilience, and quiet revolutions. A poetry bandit, performer at heart, no rules just flow and fuel.
Yaru
Arash Salavatian (aka Yaru) is an Iranian-Australian multidisciplinary artist and design specialist based in Melbourne (Naarm). In addition to his daytime architectural practice, Yaru is a poet and a musician, currently producing a series of collaborative poetry & amp; music videos titled ‘Barefoot Metaphors’ on YouTube.
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