Sweatshop Literacy Movement warmly invites you to a star-studded presentation from some of Australia's most inspiring authors, actors and hip-hop artists.

Hitting the stage at Fairfield's iconic Powerhouse Youth Theatre, this eclectic line-up of locally and nationally celebrated storytellers will each share a narrative which spans across centuries and oceans — exploring themes of home, indigeneity, migration, loss, love and hope.

Donations

One hundred percent of your ticket purchase for this event will be donated to PARA — a registered Australian charity which provides vital support for Palestinians while they are in Australia, free from the barriers created by conflict and displacement.

Acknowledgements

This event is presented by Sweatshop Literacy Movement in partnership with Powerhouse Youth Theatre and Diversity Arts Australia. Write of Return is proudly funded by Fairfield City Council as part of the Sweatshop Stories Literary Initiative.

Featuring

DOBBY is an award-winning rapper, drummer, composer and producer. Proudly identifying as a Filipino and Murrawarri musician, DOBBY's roots run deep in the Aboriginal lands from Brewarrina and Weilmoringle in New South Wales. His song I CAN'T BREATHE won Best Video at the FBi SMAC Awards in 2020 and has become an anthem for Australia's Bla(c)k Lives Matter movement. He also features in the Palestine solidarity anthem, Until We're All Free. DOBBY's most recent and ARIA-winning album is Warrangu; River Story.

Amani Haydar is an award-winning writer, visual artist, lawyer and advocate for women’s health and safety based in Western Sydney. Amani’s debut memoir The Mother Wound (2021) has been the recipient of multiple accolades, including the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Non-fiction. Amani is also the recipient of the 2021 UTS Faculty of Law Alumni Award. In 2020, she was named Local Woman of the Year for Bankstown at the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Awards in recognition of her advocacy against domestic violence. As a distinguished visual artist, Amani is also a former Archibald Prize finalist.

Mehreen Faruqi is the Greens’ Deputy Leader for New South Wales. She is a civil and environmental engineer and life-long activist for social and environmental justice. In 2013, she joined NSW State Parliament, becoming the first Muslim woman to sit in an Australian parliament. In 2018, Mehreen became Australia’s first Muslim senator. She has been a passionate advocate against racism and misogyny. Her book, Too Migrant, Too Muslim, Too Loud (2021) is a no-holds-barred memoir and manifesto from an outspoken senator, trouble-maker and multicultural icon.

Shirley Le is a Vietnamese-Australian writer from Yagoona. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University. Her short stories and essays have been published in Overland, SBS Voices, The Lifted Brow, Griffith Review and Meanjin. Her debut novel is Funny Ethnics (2023).

Simone Amelia Jordan is an author, essayist and journalist renowned for her innovative work in hip-hop media. As the founder of The Dream Collective, she champions diversity and mentorship, fostering growth for multicultural women in the arts and entertainment industries. Her debut memoir, Tell Her She’s Dreamin’ (2024), won the 2021 Richell Prize.

Hazem Shammas in an actor and artist whose work is varied across an award-winning stage and screen career and through his writing, producing and advocacy. He draws from 30 years experience working with major screen, theatre and arts companies across the country.

Winnie Dunn is Tongan-Australian writer from Mount Druitt. She is the general manager of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and the editor of several critically acclaimed anthologies, including Sweatshop Women (2019) and Another Australia (2022). Winnie's debut novel is Dirt Poor Islanders (2024).

Yasir Elgamil is a Sudanese writer, raised between Sudan and Dharug Country, currently residing in the latter. Yasir holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science, with a major in English from Macquarie University. His first short story was published in Povo (2024) and was performed at the closing event of Cement Fondu art gallery.

Michael Mohammed Ahmad is the founding director of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and the author of three award-winning novels: The Tribe (2014), The Lebs (2018) and The Other Half of You (2021). He is also the editor of several critically acclaimed anthologies, including After Australia (2020). Mohammed completed his Doctorate of Creative Arts with Western Sydney University in 2017.

Mark Mariano (host) is an award-winning Filipino storyteller, writer and content creator from Doonside on Darug land. Proudly queer, Mark’s work spans across BuzzFeed, SBS, ABC, Netflix, The Project and Red Room Poetry. He was published in Racism: Stories on Fear, Hate & Bigotry (2021) and Stories Out West (2023). In 2024, Mark was named one of Out For Australia’s 30 Under 30 award winners, and won 'Best New Podcast' at the Australian Podcast Awards with his work on iHeartRadio's Find & Tell.

Contact the host of Write of Return