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Voices festival creates literary wonderland
A literary wonderland awaits thousands of school children at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday and Thursday 15-16 July.
More than 4,000 students in Years 5-12 from across the region will attend the annual youth literature festival, Voices on the Coast, which is co-presented annually by Immanuel Lutheran College and USC.
The students will be able to meet and learn from top international and Australian authors, illustrators and poets including Hillary Badger, James Moloney, Leigh Hobbs, Kim Toft, Shaun Tan and David Stavanger.
One of the biggest drawcards this year will be Morris Gleitzman, the author of several best-selling children’s books including Bumface, Boy Overboard and Girl Underground. Morris will present lectures from 10.30-11.15am and 12-12.45pm on both days at USC.
Festival coordinator Kelly Dunham said the two days at USC were a major part of the week-long annual festival that also includes many literary events for adults at venues across the Coast.
The festival launch tomorrow (Tuesday 14 July) at USC’s Innovation Centre from 6-8.30pm will include a special presentation on “Blokes and Books”, at which authors will discuss the value of reading for “blokes”.
There will be literary events for adults on each day of the festival, ending with a literary breakfast entitled “Book Bites for Breakfast” at the Maroochy Surf Club on Saturday 18 July from 7.30-9.30am.
Tickets and festival program information can be obtained by calling the Voices office on 5477 3437 or at <www.immanuel.qld.edu.au/voices>.
— Terry Walsh