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SATURDAY DAY PASS - 18 OCT
SATURDAY DAY PASS - 18 OCTOBER 2025 ticket
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on Sat 18 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on Sat 18 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
Sold out$95.00+ $5.27 fee
SUNDAY DAY PASS - 19 OCT
SUNDAY DAY PASS - 19 OCTOBER 2025 ticket
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on SUN 19 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on SUN 19 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
$95.00+ $5.27 fee
Headland Writers Festival 2025 - WEEKEND PASS
HEADLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL 2025 WEEKEND PASS ticket
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on SUN 19 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
*Access to all sessions in the Tathra Hall and Tathra Uniting Church venues on SUN 19 Oct. 2025 (excludes Workshops and Headland Theatre Shows).
Sold out$190.00+ $9.45 fee
INDIVIDUAL SESSION TICKETS - SAT 18 OCT.
FAMILY, DISPOSSESSION & DIASPORA - Samah Sabawi & Sara M Saleh with Tyson Yunkaporta - 9:30am - 10:30am, SAT 18, TATHRA HALL ticket
In the wake of conflicts in the Middle East, Palestinian and Lebanese families have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge both in neighbouring countries and across the world. Samah Sabawi and Sara M Saleh join Tyson Yunkaporta to discuss their family histories, changing identities and the Palestinian and Lebanese diasporas in Australia.
In the wake of conflicts in the Middle East, Palestinian and Lebanese families have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge both in neighbouring countries and across the world. Samah Sabawi and Sara M Saleh join Tyson Yunkaporta to discuss their family histories, changing identities and the Palestinian and Lebanese diasporas in Australia.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeWITHIN THESE WALLS - Luke Horton & Sofie Laguna with Jodie Stewart - 11:00am - 12:00pm, SAT 18, TATHRA HALL ticket
How do the houses we grow up in shape our relationships with our families and ourselves? Authors Sofie Laguna and Luke Horton discuss how our childhood homes can become places of both isolation and connection and be vessels for hurt, memory and our future selves.
How do the houses we grow up in shape our relationships with our families and ourselves? Authors Sofie Laguna and Luke Horton discuss how our childhood homes can become places of both isolation and connection and be vessels for hurt, memory and our future selves.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeDESTINATION MURDER - Sulari Gentill & Toby Schmitz with Eddie Williams - 1:30pm - 2:30pm, SAT 18, TATHRA HALL ticket
All aboard and set sail as we embark on a tantalising voyage through mystery, murder and sinister literary machinations. Your steward/conductor Eddie Williams will take you on a guided tour of both the luxurious ocean liner, Empress of Australia and the iconic Orient Express and discuss with authors Toby Schmitz and Sulari Gentill, why it might be a good idea to stay in your cabin for the remainder of your journey.
All aboard and set sail as we embark on a tantalising voyage through mystery, murder and sinister literary machinations. Your steward/conductor Eddie Williams will take you on a guided tour of both the luxurious ocean liner, Empress of Australia and the iconic Orient Express and discuss with authors Toby Schmitz and Sulari Gentill, why it might be a good idea to stay in your cabin for the remainder of your journey.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeRAPTURE - Emily Maguire In Conversation with Lisa Markham - 3:00pm - 4:00pm, SAT 18, TATHRA HALL ticket
Emily Maguire's tale of a medieval female pope is a triumph of imagination and historical fiction. Set in ninth-century Europe, Rapture recounts the story of a young woman and her rise (according to legend) to the papacy. Emily Maguire sits down with Lisa Markham to talk about the relationship between faith and desire and the importance of being recognised for one’s learning and achievements.
Emily Maguire's tale of a medieval female pope is a triumph of imagination and historical fiction. Set in ninth-century Europe, Rapture recounts the story of a young woman and her rise (according to legend) to the papacy. Emily Maguire sits down with Lisa Markham to talk about the relationship between faith and desire and the importance of being recognised for one’s learning and achievements.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTHE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: History's balancing act - Linda Jaivin & Mark McKenna with Prof Anna Clark - 4:30pm - 5:30pm, SAT 18, TATHRA HALL ticket
How do you tell the story of an entire country and its people in a single, concise volume? Whose stories do you tell? Whose do you omit? Historians Linda Jaivin and Mark McKenna sit down with Prof Anna Clark to talk about the challenges in writing the shortest histories of Australia, China and the Cultural Revolution.
How do you tell the story of an entire country and its people in a single, concise volume? Whose stories do you tell? Whose do you omit? Historians Linda Jaivin and Mark McKenna sit down with Prof Anna Clark to talk about the challenges in writing the shortest histories of Australia, China and the Cultural Revolution.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTHE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT - Jade Timms & Pip Harry with Gabbie Stroud, 9:30am - 10:30am, SAT 18, TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
Seventeen-year-old Eddie and fourteen-year-old Nate may live within the pages of two different novels but they are both sensitive, thoughtful teens facing the real challenges of adolescence. Authors Jade Timms and Pip Harry sit down with Gabbie Stroud to talk about the mental and emotional strains of living in a not-so-perfect world.
Seventeen-year-old Eddie and fourteen-year-old Nate may live within the pages of two different novels but they are both sensitive, thoughtful teens facing the real challenges of adolescence. Authors Jade Timms and Pip Harry sit down with Gabbie Stroud to talk about the mental and emotional strains of living in a not-so-perfect world.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeAFTER AMERICA - Hugh White & Linda Jaivin with Isla Evans - 11:00am - 12:00pm, SAT 18, TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
We in Australia are beneficiaries of a post World War II rules-based order. With America's erosion of this values-based system, their gradual retreat from global leadership and the rise of China in the Pacific region, what will become of our relative safety and prosperity? ABC journalist Isla Evans sits down with Hugh White, author of Quarterly Essay 98: Hard New World: Our post American future and Linda Jaivin, author of Bombard the Headquarters! and The Shortest History of China to discuss our new political reality.
We in Australia are beneficiaries of a post World War II rules-based order. With America's erosion of this values-based system, their gradual retreat from global leadership and the rise of China in the Pacific region, what will become of our relative safety and prosperity? ABC journalist Isla Evans sits down with Hugh White, author of Quarterly Essay 98: Hard New World: Our post American future and Linda Jaivin, author of Bombard the Headquarters! and The Shortest History of China to discuss our new political reality.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTHE COST OF INHERITANCE - Omar Musa & Winnie Dunn with Adara Enthaler - 1:30pm - 2:30pm, SAT. 18, TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
A parent’s legacy and the weight of cultural tradition are burdens for the characters in both Omar Musa’s Fierceland and Winnie Dunn’s Dirt Poor Islanders. Together with host Adara Enthaler, the authors will explore power and cultural identity in a colonialised world and finding oneself through myth, language and soil.
A parent’s legacy and the weight of cultural tradition are burdens for the characters in both Omar Musa’s Fierceland and Winnie Dunn’s Dirt Poor Islanders. Together with host Adara Enthaler, the authors will explore power and cultural identity in a colonialised world and finding oneself through myth, language and soil.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeDINGO: The true story of Australia's most maligned native animal - Roland Breckwoldt In Conversation with Floss Adams - 3:00pm - 4:00pm, SAT. 18, TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
Environmental researcher Roland Breckwoldt began studying dingoes in the eighties, rearing them as pups and studying their life cycle on his property in Tantawangalo. Since the early days of the colony, dingoes have been the scapegoat of the livestock industry which claims they are not genuine native animals but just feral domestic dogs. Roland sits down with Floss Adams to talk about the ongoing efforts to manage and protect this native species.
Environmental researcher Roland Breckwoldt began studying dingoes in the eighties, rearing them as pups and studying their life cycle on his property in Tantawangalo. Since the early days of the colony, dingoes have been the scapegoat of the livestock industry which claims they are not genuine native animals but just feral domestic dogs. Roland sits down with Floss Adams to talk about the ongoing efforts to manage and protect this native species.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTHEATRE LIVES - Toby Schmitz & Samah Sabawi with Campion Decent - 4:30pm - 5:30pm, SAT. 18, TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
Authors Samah Sabawi and Toby Schmitz are also award-winning playwrights. Here they sit down with Dr Campion Decent to discuss their work in the theatre, including the art of adaptation (from literature or life), the collaborative call of the stage, and how one artistic discipline informs another.
Authors Samah Sabawi and Toby Schmitz are also award-winning playwrights. Here they sit down with Dr Campion Decent to discuss their work in the theatre, including the art of adaptation (from literature or life), the collaborative call of the stage, and how one artistic discipline informs another.
$25.00+ $2.19 feePOETRY WORKSHOP - BETWEEN THE LINES - David Stavanger - 9:30am - 12:00pm -, SAT. 18, TATHRA BEACH HOUSE ticket
An accessible introductory poetry workshop for anyone looking for immediate ways to start writing poetry. Participants will explore some techniques to transform the day-to-day experience onto the page via constraint-based writing experiments, word play, and prompts, focusing on the art of the image and utilising observation of daily details to document (and distill) life within the form (and frame) of a poem. Drawing on his collections Case Notes and The Drop Off, award-winning poet David Stavanger will lead a series of brief structured exercises and discussions in a small group setting. Limited places, no previous poetry experience needed
An accessible introductory poetry workshop for anyone looking for immediate ways to start writing poetry. Participants will explore some techniques to transform the day-to-day experience onto the page via constraint-based writing experiments, word play, and prompts, focusing on the art of the image and utilising observation of daily details to document (and distill) life within the form (and frame) of a poem. Drawing on his collections Case Notes and The Drop Off, award-winning poet David Stavanger will lead a series of brief structured exercises and discussions in a small group setting. Limited places, no previous poetry experience needed
$40.00+ $2.85 fee
INDIVIDUAL SESSION TICKETS - SUN 19 OCT.
FINDING HUMOUR IN UNLIKELY PLACES - Lucy Nelson & Rhett Davis with Myoung Jae Yi - 9:30am - 10:30am, SUN. 19. TATHRA HALL ticket
How does humour liberate us from situations that could otherwise leave us feeling heart-broken and without hope? From the disconnection and ennui of modern-day life in Rhett Davis’ novel Arborescence, to the complexities surrounding motherhood and childlessness in Lucy Nelson’s short story collection, Wait Here, the use of humour provides both insight and compassion to help deal with our most difficult of situations. The authors are joined by the festival’s creative director, Myoung Jae Yi.
How does humour liberate us from situations that could otherwise leave us feeling heart-broken and without hope? From the disconnection and ennui of modern-day life in Rhett Davis’ novel Arborescence, to the complexities surrounding motherhood and childlessness in Lucy Nelson’s short story collection, Wait Here, the use of humour provides both insight and compassion to help deal with our most difficult of situations. The authors are joined by the festival’s creative director, Myoung Jae Yi.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTRUTH-TELLING: DJIRRINGANJ COUNTRY - Ellen Mundy, David Dixon & Marcus Mundy with Mark McKenna - 11:00am - 12:00pm, SUN. 19. TATHRA HALL ticket
$25.00+ $2.19 feeESSAYS FROM A CREATIVE LIFE - Quentin Sprague In Conversation with Kim Mahood - 1:30pm - 2:30pm - SUN. 19. TATHRA HALL ticket
Authors Kim Mahood and Quentin Sprague are known for their non-fiction writing about the various obsessions of the creative life. Join them for a discussion about the tangible and intangible aspects of creativity, and what must be left unsaid – indeed may be unsayable – when turning art and the human encounters it engenders into prose.
Authors Kim Mahood and Quentin Sprague are known for their non-fiction writing about the various obsessions of the creative life. Join them for a discussion about the tangible and intangible aspects of creativity, and what must be left unsaid – indeed may be unsayable – when turning art and the human encounters it engenders into prose.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeSNAKE TALK: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide us Tyson Yunkaporta & Megan Kelleher with Mark McKenna - 3:00pm - 4:00pm, SUN. 19. TATHRA HALL ticket
From Kathmandu to Aotearoa, from Mesoamerica to China to northern Europe and Australia, the serpent plays an important role in ancient Lore as both creator and destroyer. In Snake Talk: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide us, authors Tyson Yunkaporta and Megan Kelleher sit down with historian Mark McKenna to explore these stories and how we can align our human gifts with the patterns of creation.
From Kathmandu to Aotearoa, from Mesoamerica to China to northern Europe and Australia, the serpent plays an important role in ancient Lore as both creator and destroyer. In Snake Talk: How the world’s ancient serpent stories can guide us, authors Tyson Yunkaporta and Megan Kelleher sit down with historian Mark McKenna to explore these stories and how we can align our human gifts with the patterns of creation.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeDJIRRINGANJ LANGUAGE: Creating a living lexicon - Ellen Mundy, Marcus Mundy & Michelle Dixon with Alasdair McDonald - 4:30pm - 5:30pm - SUN. 19. TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
$25.00+ $2.19 feeHOW DO WE STOP THE VIOLENCE? - Jess Hill & Sonia Orchard with Vesna Andric - 1:30pm - 2:30pm - SUN. 19. TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
Rates of violence against women and children in Australia remain alarmingly high despite increased efforts over recent decades. Jess Hill’s groundbreaking work on gendered violence and Sonia Orchard’s part-memoir and part-investigation add valuable insight into the institutional, legal and cultural roadblocks to real progress. They will be joined by Vesna Andric from Staying Home Leaving Violence, Bega. *Content Warning: This session contains reference to acts of grooming and family and sexual violence.
Rates of violence against women and children in Australia remain alarmingly high despite increased efforts over recent decades. Jess Hill’s groundbreaking work on gendered violence and Sonia Orchard’s part-memoir and part-investigation add valuable insight into the institutional, legal and cultural roadblocks to real progress. They will be joined by Vesna Andric from Staying Home Leaving Violence, Bega. *Content Warning: This session contains reference to acts of grooming and family and sexual violence.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTHE LAST DAYS OF ZANE GREY - Vicki Hastrich with Mike Kermode - 3:00pm - 4:00pm - SUN. 19. TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
In the summer of 1936, thousands of fans flocked to Bermagui to meet superstar author and Hollywood filmmaker, Zane Grey who in his pursuit of game-fishing put Bermagui on the map. He not only transformed the local economy but also sparked the beginnings of the tuna industry in Eden and Australia. Join historian and fisherwoman Vicki Hastrich as she sits down with Mike Kermode to discuss this fascinating chapter in Bermagui’s history.
In the summer of 1936, thousands of fans flocked to Bermagui to meet superstar author and Hollywood filmmaker, Zane Grey who in his pursuit of game-fishing put Bermagui on the map. He not only transformed the local economy but also sparked the beginnings of the tuna industry in Eden and Australia. Join historian and fisherwoman Vicki Hastrich as she sits down with Mike Kermode to discuss this fascinating chapter in Bermagui’s history.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeWORKSHOP - WRITING THROUGH SOUND: Crafting audio fiction - Jessica Hamilton - 9:30am - 12:00pm, SUN 19. TATHRA BEACH HOUSE ticket
This workshop will guide participants through a sound-based writing practice, from place-based active listening to crafting creative audio fiction. It will be an immersive and interactive session that gives an introduction into writing for audio, considering sound as a character and creating a fiction podcast. Suitable for writers with projects at any stage, whether you already have an idea for a fiction podcast or are simply curious to take a new approach to your writing practice.
This workshop will guide participants through a sound-based writing practice, from place-based active listening to crafting creative audio fiction. It will be an immersive and interactive session that gives an introduction into writing for audio, considering sound as a character and creating a fiction podcast. Suitable for writers with projects at any stage, whether you already have an idea for a fiction podcast or are simply curious to take a new approach to your writing practice.
$25.00+ $2.19 feeBOOK BINDING - with Pip Marshman - 2:00pm - 4:30pm - TATHRA BEACH HOUSE ticket
$25.00+ $2.19 feeTRUTH-TELLING BREAKOUT SESSION - 12:00pm - 1:00pm - SUN 19. - TATHRA UNITING CHURCH ticket
Free
REGISTER FOR THE FREE EVENTS AT TATHRA HOTEL!
OPENING NIGHT AT TATHRA HOTEL, FRI. 17 OCT, FROM 6:30PM ticket
Headland Writers Festival for a special opening night performance. Omar will perform pieces from his extensive body of work accompanied by renowned American cellist and composer Mariel Roberts Musa. Join us for this powerful and haunting performance of spoken word and live music. OLGA MASTER SHORT STORY AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
Headland Writers Festival for a special opening night performance. Omar will perform pieces from his extensive body of work accompanied by renowned American cellist and composer Mariel Roberts Musa. Join us for this powerful and haunting performance of spoken word and live music. OLGA MASTER SHORT STORY AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
FreePOETRY IN PECULIAR PLACES David Stavanger, Virginia Sada York & Gabrielle Journey Jones with Debbie Lee ticket
1:30pm - 2:30pm, SAT 18 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL - A panel of poets discuss their favourite unusual and peculiar poetry projects. Current local, regional and Australian poetry happenings will be explored with invitations for audience questions and engagement in creative communities. David Stavanger (Red Room Poetry), Gabrielle Journey Jones ( Poetic Percussion), Virginia Sada York (Poetry Around Tilba) and Guest Facilitator - Debbie Lee (Ginninderra Press).
1:30pm - 2:30pm, SAT 18 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL - A panel of poets discuss their favourite unusual and peculiar poetry projects. Current local, regional and Australian poetry happenings will be explored with invitations for audience questions and engagement in creative communities. David Stavanger (Red Room Poetry), Gabrielle Journey Jones ( Poetic Percussion), Virginia Sada York (Poetry Around Tilba) and Guest Facilitator - Debbie Lee (Ginninderra Press).
FreePOETRY PERFORMED: A Spoken Word Night David Stavanger, Nick Whittock, Gabrielle Journey Jones, Sara M Saleh, & Miribi Manyangga ticket
7:00pm - 8:30pm, SAT 18 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL
7:00pm - 8:30pm, SAT 18 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL
FreePOETS BREAKFAST & BOOK LAUNCH Arrangements by Gabrielle Journey Jones ticket
9:30am - 11:00am, SUN 19 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL
9:30am - 11:00am, SUN 19 OCT, TATHRA HOTEL
Free
SUPPORT THE HEADLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL
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Flexible priceFestival Lover ($100-$499) ticket
Flexible priceFestival Angel ($500-$999) ticket
Flexible priceFestival Hero ($1,000-$4,999) ticket
Flexible priceFestival Superhero ($5,000+) ticket
Flexible price