Voices on the Coast 2011

Wild and crazy students at Voices on the Coast Youth Literature Festival. I asked them to cheer and then we launched into a series of Mexican waves.

Here are some pics from Voices on the Coast 2011 – a very cool youth lit-fest held each year at the University of the Sunshine Coast, run by Immanuel Lutheran College. Voices was the first fest that I spoke at as an author three years ago. Thankfully, since then, I’ve had many opportunities to hone my craft. The sessions were lots of fun.

This year the fest hosted tons of great authors including (are you ready?) – Oliver Phommavanh, Lili Wilkinson, David Stavanger, Mark Wilson, Katherine Battersby, James Phelan, Richard Newsome, Pat Flynn, Julie Beveridge, Kate Forsyth, Melaina Faranda, Julie Fison, Caroline Magerl, Marianne De Pierres, Aleesah Darlison, Lyndon Davis, Pascalle Burton, Steph Bowe, Michael Gerard Bauer, Rebecca Byfield Kennedy, Serena Geddes, Judy Barass and Deborah Abela.

My feet at the skatepark one day before the fest. Pic by Amber Melody using Camera+ iPhone app

Big thanks to Kelly Dunham, legendary fest director, her husband Clint who can turn his hand to just about anything and all the volunteers and kids who made it a cracking festival.

Local skater ready to launch. Pic by Amber Melody using Camera+ iPhone app

Article and image in the Buderim Chronicle. Click to read.