Step through a doorway where books and dreamtime stories meet. For young writers aged 10-16.

In this workshop, young writers are invited on a culturally rich journey through the spiritual and narrative world of Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, linking cultural legacy with literacy development. Through interactive storytelling, creative expression, and reading–writing engagement, students will explore how Dreamtime narratives carry ancestral wisdom and connect people to Country.

Format

This is an in-person workshop for young writers (aged 10-16) with a focus on craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. It is a program for young writers of all levels, writing backgrounds and abilities.

Learning Outcomes

As part of this workshop, young writers will learn:

Cultural Understanding: Gain a deeper appreciation for Dreamtime stories as foundational to Aboriginal lore, identity, and relationships with land and ancestors.
Literacy Skills: Strengthen narrative comprehension, vocabulary, structure, and creative writing through storytelling.
Creative Expression: Foster imagination via story-mapping, writing, visual arts, and role-play inspired by Dreamtime themes.

About Trevor

Trevor Fourmile is from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of Cairns, Queensland. Author of numerous books such as, Gurril The Storm Bird, How the Cassowary got its Helmet and Bajirriga the Turtle based on the Cairns coastal rainforest told in traditional style.

Trevor whose Yidinji name is Bumi (lightning flash) is a School Engagement Lead Officer for the Hymba Yumba Independent School, Springfield. He is interested in teaching the younger generation his culture through traditional dancing, painting, storytelling and writing children's books.

Recently recognised for winning the Educational Publishing Australia Awards 2023 Student Resource category for his Well-being Walkabout cards, Trevor has become a promoter of literature and a popular speaker at schools where he shares his culture through storytelling of the Yidinji First Nations Peoples.

His recent book, Gurril Storm Bird became a play at the at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Out Of The Box Festival (5 Stars Reviews). Readers are encouraged to think about their relationship to the community as well as enjoying these wonderful traditional stories.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info