Primary Schools Day & Book Fair | Byron Writers Festival 2025
Event description
Join us for the renowned Primary School Sessions & Book Fair at Byron Writers Festival, held at the festival site in Bangalow. Featuring Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin (A Dog to Keep), comedian and children’s author Peter Helliar (Detective Galileo), and celebrated poet Maxine Beneba Clarke (Stuff I'm (Not) Sorry For).
These popular educational events showcase some of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors to foster a passion for reading and writing – and to produce the writers of the future.
Students will enjoy their own Byron Writers Festival experience, with learning resources made available, books available to buy, as well as food and drink options.
Learn among the trees at the Bangalow Showground for Byron Writers Festival’s Primary School Sessions, tailored for primary school students of any grade level.
Book fair and author signings presented by The Book Room Collective.
Booking procedure - Register Now, Pay Later
Registration Open - Wednesday 30 April
Registration Close - Wednesday 18 June
Invoices will be issued - Thursday 19 June
Payment due by - Friday 4 July
Cost
Students - $18.00 per student
Teachers - Free (1 per 10 students)
Additional Adults / Parent: $25.00 per Adult
Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 09:30 - 10:00 am | Schools arrive on buses |
| 10:00 - 11:00 am | Book Fair & Sculpture walk (self guided) |
| 11:00 - 11:30 am | First session |
| 11:30 - 11:45 am | Break |
| 11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Second session |
| 12:15 - 12:45 pm | Lunch Break |
| 12:45 - 1:15 pm | Third session |
| 1:15 - 1:45 pm | Book signings |
| 1:45 pm | Buses depart |
Meet the Authors
Sally Rippin is the current Australian Children’s Laureate (2024-2025). She has written over 100 books for children and young adults, many of them award-winning. Beloved across the globe, her stories have sold more than ten million copies in eighteen countries. Her latest book, A Dog to Keep, is released this August.
Maxine Beneba Clarke is the author of over 15 books for children and adults, including the ABIA and Indie Award-winning short fiction collection Foreign Soil, the bestselling memoir The Hate Race, and the critically acclaimed poetry collections Carrying the World, How Decent Folk Behave, It’s the Sound of the Thing: 100 new poems for young people, and Stuff I’m Not Sorry For: 99 poems for young people. She is currently the inaugural Poet in Residence at The University of Melbourne.
Peter Helliar is Australia's favourite comedian, known for channeling his quintessential sharp wit and endearing charm into the stories he creates. As the author of the much-loved children's book Herman Crab and series Frankie Fish, Pete is about to embark on a new and exciting chapter – 2025 sees the release of his new series, Detective Galileo.
Key Information
- Program designed for primary school students from all stages
- Each school will enjoy all authors on the program in 3 x 30 minute sessions
- Dedicated seating, students will remain in the same marquee for all sessions
- No supervision provided by festival staff, teachers are responsible for their group
- Authors available for book signings and books are available for purchase from the bookshop
- Food and beverages are available for purchase, however, we suggest you have the children pack snacks
- Stay hydrated with our water station: bring your own water bottle!
- Students should bring a notebook and pen/pencils!
- On-site bus parking available (weather permitting)
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
