A FLOATING literary festival is set to make waves across the Redlands this October with the Island Storytellers Festival returning for a three-day celebration that quite literally connects the community by water.
Running October 3-5, the event will once again transform the Southern Moreton Bay Islands into a moving hub of stories, music and history, an idea organisers say could only happen here.
Backed by Federal funding from Creative Australia, the festival’s centrepiece is Sealink’s MV Kurrowera, which will operate as a roaming venue between Lamb Island, Coochiemudlo and North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah.
Artistic Director Susan Ward said the floating format was designed to strengthen communication across the archipelago, weaving together local voices and shared histories in ways traditional festivals can’t.
The program reflects that ambition, bringing a mix of national names and community-driven storytelling to the Bay.
Bestselling crime author Chris Hammer will launch his new novel Full Circle on the water and join Jane Caro for The Thrills & Chills of Aussie Noir.
A lineup of acclaimed writers, including Nova Weetman, Emily Gale, Sarah Thornton, Heather Taylor Johnson, Rachael Mead and Caro, will explore creative inspiration at Look What You Made Me Do.
The festival also leans into hands-on experiences from creating and performing an opera in an afternoon with Dr Anna Reid to professional development workshops for emerging writers.
Young readers get their own high-energy moment aboard Marine Rescue’s vessel Talbot, where fans of The Elsewhere Girls can meet the co-authors.
Local history takes centre stage on October 4 with Elizabeth Gondwe sharing the confronting story of South Sea Islanders forced into slavery on Macleay Island – sure to resonate with audiences.
