Newcastle Writers Festival

Anna Meares is one of Australia's most successful athletes. She was the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track cycling and the only Australian to win a medal in an individual event at four Olympic Games. Her career is marked by dramatic highs and lows, both on and off the track. She speaks to Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom about her new book Anna Meares: Now, which is an account of her life as an elite athlete as well as how she has managed to find peace after retirement. To buy a copy of Anna Meares Now, go to https://bit.ly/2LGWZDe

With her novel Wolfe Island, Lucy Treloar joins a growing number of writers whose fiction explores anthropogenic catastrophe. She discusses the thin line between the present and a dystopian future. Host / Susan Wyndham If would like to buy a copy of Lucy’s book Wolfe Island, which is published by Picador, go to http://www.macleansbooks.com.au

In this session, which was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival, Rosalie Ham, Holly Throsby and Christian White discuss the big drama of small towns. Hosted by Meredith Jaffe.

In this session, which was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival, Jane Caro discusses the generation of women that changed everything but didn’t plan to. She explores the achievement of these revolutionaries - those aged over 55. Hosted by Meredith Jaffe.

Most of us will experience at least one traumatic event, but why and how do certain people cope more effectively with personal tragedy? With Meera Atkinson, Heather Morris and Rick Morton. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival and was hosted by Annabel Smith.

Kon Karapanagiotidis is the founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. At the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival he spoke to Felicity Biggins about his perspective and experience of the global refugee crisis.

In the escalating war between truth and politics, how do we maintain human rights? Former Australian Human Rights commissioner Gillian Triggs speaks to Jill Emberson. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival.

The founder of 1 Million Women, Natalie Isaacs, speaks to Christina Gerakiteys about harnessing passion, power and politics to create a better future. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival.

Michael Robotham is renowned for creating complex page-turners. In this session recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival, he speaks to Ailsa Piper about the characters and plot twists that bring his books to life.

In this session, which was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival, Claire G Coleman, Jock Serong and Clare Wright talk to Julie McIntyre about the challenges of writing history based on previously unheard voices.

Clementine Ford, Kate Lilley and Alison Whittaker talk to Trisha Pender about the importance of women's stories. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival.

The messages on his church billboard capture headlines, but is there more to Father Rod Bower's push for a progressive Christianity? Hosted by ABC Newcastle's Dan Cox. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival.

James Bennett, Stuart Edser. Anthony Venn-Brown and Marguerite Johnson explore the history of LGBTQI conversion therapy with a focus on Australia. This session was part of the University of Newcastle's NEW Thinking Series at the 2019 festival.

The banking royal commission put the financial sector on trial and exposed self-interest, corruption and excess. Journalist Michael Roddan asks what is next for Australians and their banks. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival and is hosted by Justin O'Brien.

Journalist Kerry O'Brien reflects on the social and politics upheavals he has witnessed, of lessons learned and ignored, and the personalities who have made history. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival and is hosted by Paul Bevan.

Chloe Hooper, Bram Presser and Jock Serong explore the creative space between fact and fiction. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival and is hosted by Geordie Williamson.

Clementine Ford dismantles the age-old idea that entitlement, aggression and toxicity are natural realms for boys, and reveals how patriarchy is as harmful to boys and men as it is to women and girls. This session was recorded at the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival and is hosted by Amy Sambrooke.

More than 150 Aboriginal massacres that occurred during the spread of pastoral settlement in Australia are now documented in an online digital map. Developed by University of Newcastle historian, Professor Lyndall Ryan, the map is a significant step in the recognition of the periods of violence in Australia’s history. She speaks to Professor Cathy Coleborne, head of the School of Humanities and Social Science. This session was recorded at the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival as part of the University of Newcastle's free NEW Thinking series.

Does making change mean making trouble? Indigenous activist Joe Williams, former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs and artist Ben Quilty shed light on the people and experiences that have inspired them to speak out. Introduction by Dan Cox. Facilitated by Jane Hutcheon.

Who were Caroline Chisholm and Elizabeth Macquarie? Sarah Goldman and Luke Slattery chat to Tracey Spicer. This session was recorded at the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival.