Stories Close to Home - Women's Giving Circle x Byron Writers Festival
Description
Every community has stories worth sharing.
Join the Northern Rivers Community Foundation and the Women's Giving Circle for Stories Close to Home - a relaxed gathering celebrating local authors, meaningful conversation and community connection at one of Byron Bay's most iconic venues.
Browse a collection of books written by Women's Giving Circle members, enjoy a drink, and connect with fellow readers, writers and community members. Whether you've attended Byron Writers Festival or are simply looking for a welcoming place to pause and soak up the Festival atmosphere, everyone is welcome.
We are thrilled that the following authors will be joining us at Stories Close to Home:
Mindy Woods
Nell Schofield
Tricia Shantz
Anna Dicker
Stories Close to Home
📚 Free community event
🗓 Sunday 16 August
🕚 11:00am – 1:00pm
📍 The Shack, Beach Hotel Byron Bay
Come along, discover local stories and celebrate the conversations that shape our communities. Step away from the Festival buzz and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of conversation and connection. Drinks will be available for purchase - RSVPs essential.
About the Women's Giving Circle
The NRCF Women's Giving Circle is a growing collective of women across the Northern Rivers, pooling their resources to fund grassroots projects in the region. Members contribute $1,000 a year, or $20 a week. Each year, they vote together on where the funds go.
Learn more about the Women's Giving Circle.
Northern Rivers Community Foundation is a proud Supporting Partner of Byron Writers Festival 2026.
Featured Authors
Mindy Woods
Mindy will be joining us, showcasing her book Karkalla at Home. Karkalla at Home is an invitation to discover Australia’s native ingredients through simple, seasonal cooking and the stories that connect us to Country. Written by Bundjalung woman, chef and cultural advocate Mindy Woods, the book weaves together more than recipes—it shares knowledge of Indigenous foodways, sustainable harvesting, and the deep relationship between people, place and native plants. Karkalla at Home encourages readers to embrace Australia’s oldest living food culture in their own kitchens, celebrating the unique flavours of native ingredients while fostering a greater connection to Country and community.
Nell Schofield
Nell is well-known for her work as a performer, writer, broadcaster, climate activist and producer. She is an active participant in the Byron Shire, co-curating TEDx Byron Bay 2021 and serving as President of Bay FM 99.9 (2024 - 25). She was recently awarded a Climate Action Arts Grant for her project ‘The Norma Gunghoe Show’ which is currently in pre-production. Nell famously starred in Puberty Blues and wrote a monograph about her experience for Australian Screen Classics (Currency Press). She also wrote First Kiss (Allen and Unwin) and with fellow NIDA students, created the original work Strictly Ballroom. She worked as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Lord Mayor of Sydney, and with environmental organisations Lock The Gate, Solar Citizens and The Sunrise Project. She has hosted programs with ABC TV, Radio National, CNN International, Channel 9, and Showtime. 2026 is her fourth year chairing sessions for the Byron Writers Festival.
Tricia Shantz
Tricia Shantz is a social geographer, research consultant, and author who works and lives in Byron Bay, Australia. She is committed to knowing the environmental and social construct of her community. Tricia co-wrote and published her first two books with Rusty Miller: Turning Point Surf Portraits and Stories from Bells to Byron 1970 - 1971 and Turning Point II Surf Portraits and Stories Hawaii: Oahu-Kauai-Maui 1968-1972. A third book, No Fixed Abode; Stories from the streets around Byron Bay, was in association with the Byron Bay Community Centre and Byron Writers Festival. Neverland. American and Australian surfers in Byron Bay 1960s and 1970s was her previous book published in 2022. She co-publishes and edits the Rusty’s Byron Guide magazine about people, politics and culture. Her recent book is Musicland. When the Music Came to Byron 1970-1995.
Anna Dicker
Anna Dicker, born in New Zealand, lives in Lennox Head Australia. Anna is married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren. She is a retired Registered Nurse, Midwife, has a Masters of Community Development in Emergency Management and is a Bowen Therapist. She has extensive experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and now volunteers teaching ethics in primary school. During her time with MSF Anna was interviewed for radio, TV, newspapers, and wrote articles for the MSF blogs.
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