Community
2 October, 2025
New festival to unite regional writers
A NEW festival celebrating the literary accomplishments of regional Australian authors will this month unite readers and writers alike in one of the south west’s smallest villages.
The Noorat Writers Festival will have its debut event on Saturday, October 18 which promises to draw readers, writers and creatives to the Mt Noorat Hotel.
Event director Frances Bryant said the festival would aim to create conversations, displays of local inspirations, an author discussion and book sales, uniting emerging and established voices from Victoria and beyond.
“The first event of the Noorat Writers Festival is a chance to introduce the Noorat and surrounding communities to the idea of having an annual event celebrating the written word,” she said.
“We want this to become an ongoing festival event which can be a gathering for everyone who loves stories – whether you write them, read them, or simply want to be inspired.”
The Noorat Writers Festival will include a conversation with two highly regarded local authors, Meridith McKinnon and Samuel Ridley, as they discuss their writing journey and methods of research.
Residents can also enjoy discovering the township of Noorat through visual displays in local windows ensuring a true celebration of local talent and community connection.
Mrs Bryant said the festival would also include the sale of books by their authors, strengthening the ability of the ordinary person to share their worlds and experiences in book form.
“We’re proud to foster a space where creativity and community flourish, right here at the foot of Mt Noorat,” she said.
“There must be something in the presence of such a natural wonder as a volcano to inspire creation – there is plenty of it in this town.”
For tickets visit https://events.humanitix.com/noorat-writers-festival.
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