Children at Scribblers Festival 2021.

2023 Family Program

Scribblers Family Festival


The Scribblers Family Festival is a joyous two-day festival, bringing together some of the best children’s and YA creatives from Australia and beyond. It’s packed with storytelling, art, workshops, and creativity galore.

This year the Free Family Weekend will be held on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of October in the Perth CBD.

We’re hugely excited to have found a new home for Scribblers in and around Cathedral Square in the heart of Perth.  

Then, sign up to our newsletter below, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to know about all things Scribblers!

Make sure check out the full Event Program below, or download a copy here.

Events Program

**PLEASE NOTE: The program below is subject to change**

All Scribblers Family Festival Program events take place in and around Cathedral Square
The main sessions and activities throughout our Family Weekend are FREE.
Our Creative Workshops are ticketed and spaces are limited, so make sure you book your place soon.

Check out all of the amazing events and plan your weekend below!

We've also created two flash fiction workshops for
teens and adults with Laura Keenan (co-publisher at Night Parrot Press) in the lead-up to the Family Festival.
Find out more &
book your place here!

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WELCOME TO COUNTRY & STORYTELLING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

11:00 – 11:40

All Ages
Free Event

Olman Walley

Kaya everyone! Wilman, Balardong, Binjareb, Wadjuk Nyoongar Olman Walley welcomes you to Country and shares traditional stories.

NOW I OWN

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Council House

11AM – 4PM

All Ages
Free Event

What does creative bravery look like? Come and find out at a unique display by students from FORM’s Creative Schools program. NOW I OWN shares their experiences of learning.

I HAVE MORE TO SAY PODCASTING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Stirling Gardens

12PM – 3PM

All Ages
Free Event

What does creative bravery sound like?

Tune in to I HAVE MORE TO SAY at Scribblers Conversation Caravan, where students from FORM’s Creative Schools program podcast their personal stories.

CANVAS PAINTING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 – 4:00

All Ages
Tickets $20

Come and splash some paint across a canvas with our friends from Art on Event. No pre-booking required for this workshop, just walk in and get creative!

LE TOBOGGAN

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 - 4:00

ALL AGES
Free Event

Le Toboggan International Bookshop

Head over to Le Toboggan's stall to discover amazing stories written in Chinese, Portuguese, French, Spanish and more! Make sure you head over to the Storytelling Zone to hear these wonderful stories read aloud.

FISH

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 - 4:00

ALL AGES
Free Event

Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH)

We are thrilled to welcome the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) to Scribblers. Head down to their stall to browse beautiful titles from First Nations authors and illustrators, as well as adding your mark to the community artwork they're creating over the Family Festival weekend.

FLAG MAKING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11am - 3pm

All Ages
Free Event

Join the Educated By Nature crew to make your own flag using traditional artistic practices and skills including natural dyeing, stick whittling and sewing.

SUSTAINABILITY ZONE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11am - 4pm

All Ages
Free Event

Join not-for-profit environmental youth organisation Millenium Kids and author Daisy Jo Bear in the Sustainability Area to craft with recycled materials, race through recycling challenges and find the fanciest op-shop outfits for a dress-up photo shoot.

PAINTING COLLAGE WORKSHOP

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

11:30 – 12:30

Ages 6+
Tickets $30

Sean E Avery

LEARN HOW TO - Create the most epic collage landscape you can imagine! Join award-winning author and picture-book artist Sean E Avery to learn how. Sean uses a combination of traditional and digital collage techniques in his picture books, and this is your chance to get hands-on experience with one of the best in the industry.

GOLDEN ANNOUNCEMENTS

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SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

11:45 – 11:55

All Ages
Free Event

Which Western Australian libraries had a special Golden Feather? And who are the lucky winners who found one?  

Who’s won a prize in The Golden Pen writing awards?

MORE THAN WORDS, MORE THAN PICTURES

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

12:00 – 12:30

All Ages
Free Event

Gavin Aung Than

Someone Baaaaaad, live, woolly and dangerous! Meet Baa Baa Black Belt, New York Times bestselling cartoonist Gavin Aung Than’s latest creation. Find out how the fiercest (ahem) fleece in the West means Gavin can indulge his twin passions of drawing and martial arts.

STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

12:00 – 12:40

Ages 0-5
Free Event

Daisy-Jo Bear

Daisy-Jo Bear’s feisty Green Fairy is on a mission to save the world, one planet-friendly idea after another. But can she recycle a lost dog called Bear?

THE USELESS TUNE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Art Collective WA

12:30 – 1:00

All Ages
Free Event

Paul Uhlmann

Maggie has a song to offer in exchange for a beautiful tree to call home. But all the trees see Maggie as trouble. After all, her song can’t protect them from drought, or fire, or loggers. Maggie thinks she will never find a home, until a humble Scribbly Gum asks to hear her melody. What happens next?  

Find out from Paul Uhlmann, who also reveals what it was like creating The Useless Tune with his ABC journalist brother Chris.

STORIES MATTER...EVEN MORE THAN YOU THINK

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

1:00 – 1:30

All Ages
Free Event

Helen Milroy

Stories have been told on this land for thousands of years and  are essential for connecting people, communities and cultures. Author and illustrator Dr Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, but was born and educated in Perth and is one of the best storytellers in the business. Join us for this special journey into storytelling as we discover why stories matter, why we create them and why we need to keep telling them.

INTERNATIONAL STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

1:00 – 1:40

Ages 0-6
Free Event

Filipa Pinto

Il était une fois … Érase una vez …

Join Filipa Pinto, owner of international bookstore Le Toboggan for stories from all over the world and listen heureux pour toujours!

MISCHIEF ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

1:00 – 2:00

Ages 5-10
Tickets $30

Kylie Howarth

LEARN HOW TO - Draw someone awesome. Ever flicked through a picture book and wondered if you could ever draw something so cool? Award-winning author/illustrator Kylie Howarth shows you how to create your own characters full of life and mischief.

Let's Rock and Mole!

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

2:00 – 2:30

Ages 8+
Free Event

James Foley

Join James Foley as he introduces the latest book in his Secret Agent Mole graphic novelseries - The Boar Identity. Meet Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug and hear about their latest ridiculous mission ... they must keep a meteorite from falling into the naked little hands of Dr Nude.

STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

2:00 – 2:40

Ages 0-5
Free Event

Red Paper Kite Storytellers

GATHER ROUND AND LISTEN…  Let illustrator Sandra van Doorn take you on a story-time adventure.

CREATIVE IN CONVERSATION: Q&A

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

2:15 – 2:45

Ages 14+
Free Event

Gary Lonesborough

YA and First Nations author Gary Lonesborough.  Gary talks about growing up queer and Indigenous and how his experiences shaped his books The Boy from the Mish and We Didn't Think It Through. A chance to ask Gary about his creative processes and writing life.

THE USELESS TUNE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Art Collective WA

2:30 – 3:00

All Ages
Free Event

Paul Uhlmann

Maggie has a song to offer in exchange for a beautiful tree to call home. But all the trees see Maggie as trouble. After all, her song can’t protect them from drought, or fire, or loggers. Maggie thinks she will never find a home, until a humble Scribbly Gum asks to hear her melody. What happens next?  

Find out from Paul Uhlmann, who also reveals what it was like creating The Useless Tune with his ABC journalist brother Chris.

EPIC ILLUSTRATOR BATTLE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

3:00 – 3:30

All Ages
Free Event

Kylie Howarth, Gavin Aung Than, Brenton McKenna

Don’t miss the excitement as illustrators Eszra (Brenton E McKenna), Kylie Howarth, and Gavin Aung Than go head-to-head and turn YOUR suggestions into the most weird and wonderful drawings imaginable.  Who’ll come up with the best (or the craziest)?

INTERNATIONAL STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

3:00 – 3:40

Ages 0-6
Free Event

Filipa Pinto

C’era una volta… Es war einmal…

Join Filipa Pinto, owner of international bookstore Le Toboggan for stories from all over the world and listen per sempre felici e contenti!

WHAT IS IT?

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

3:00 – 4:00

Ages 5+
Tickets $30

Rachael Robertson

LEARN HOW TO - Snip, stick and create magical worlds as author and illustrator Rachael Robertson takes you on a journey deep into the whimsical world of collage. Get messy with watercolour paint, paper collage, a rainbow of paint pens and your own wild imagination.

Pop Up Scent Lab

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 – 4:00

All Ages
Tickets $20

Walk-in, paid workshop.

Pop Up Scent Lab create a bath bomb and magical scent experiences with a Scribblers Twist

STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

2:00 – 2:40

Ages 0-5
Free Event

GATHER ROUND AND LISTEN…  Let illustrator Sandra van Doorn take you on a story-time adventure.

Red Paper Kite Storytellers

WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

11:00 – 11:30

All Ages
Free Event

What would you do if a koala stole your undies or a croc stole your socks? Find out what Kylie Howarth did!  Kylie talks about her picture book Crocs Stole My Socks and reveals where she gets her best ideas.

Kylie Howarth

CANVAS PAINTING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 – 4:00

All Ages
Tickets $20

Come and splash some paint across a canvas with our friends from Art on Event. No pre-booking required for this workshop, just walk in and get creative!

Art on Event

MISS CUPPITY’S

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 – 4:00

All Ages
Tickets $20

Walk-in, paid workshop.

Miss Cuppity’s teacup painting session experiencing at the same time a magical storytelling experience

NOW I OWN

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Council House

11AM – 4PM

All Ages
Free Event

What does creative bravery look like? Come and find out at a unique display by students from FORM’s Creative Schools program. NOW I OWN shares their experiences of learning.

I HAVE MORE TO SAY PODCASTING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Stirling Gardens

12PM – 3PM

All Ages
Free Event

What does creative bravery sound like?

Tune in to I HAVE MORE TO SAY at Scribblers Conversation Caravan, where students from FORM’s Creative Schools program podcast their personal stories.

BOOK DOCTORS

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11AM – 4PM

All Ages
Free Event

Do you have palpitations because you don’t know what book to read? Have you finished a great series and are sweating over what to choose next?  

Don’t fear, we can cure your ailment at our walk-in book clinic. Talk to one of our Librarian Book Doctors, and they will write you a prescription for your next great read. This year, our well-read Book Doctors are from the Public Libraries of Western Australia.

UPCYCLED HAIKU

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Postal Hall, State Buildings

11AM – 1PM

Ages 6+
Free Event

How do you haiku? Upcycle those syllables now! We’re into upcycling in a big way at Scribblers Festival. Dip into our stash of old books and rearrange words and phrases into a brand new haiku poem. Sharpen up your syllable-count and join us for the fun.

Anya Seabourne

ORIGAMI STATION

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Postal Hall, State Buildings

11AM – 4PM

Ages 6+
Free Event

Come and add to our collaborative origami artwork, learning how to fold and bend paper into magical shapes and creatures!

Théa

STORYTELLING GAME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Postal Hall, State Buildings

11AM – 4PM

Ages 6+
Free Event

SENSORY ZONE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Long Chim Sensory Zone

11AM – 4PM

Ages 6+
Free Event

This year we have a sensory controlled space in the Long Chim Courtyard. With activities including Sensory Story Time, International Story Time and haiku, this space is perfect for anyone who would like time to discover the Scribblers magic away from the crowds and stimulation of the main event.

LE TOBOGGAN

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 - 4:00

ALL AGES
Free Event

Head over to Le Toboggan's stall to discover amazing stories written in Chinese, Portuguese, French, Spanish and more! Make sure you head over to the Storytelling Zone to hear these wonderful stories read aloud.

Le Toboggan International Bookshop

FISH

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11:00 - 4:00

ALL AGES
Free Event

We are thrilled to welcome the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) to Scribblers. Head down to their stall to browse beautiful titles from First Nations authors and illustrators, as well as adding your mark to the community artwork they're creating over the Family Festival weekend.

Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH)

FLAG MAKING

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11am - 3pm

All Ages
Free Event

Join the Educated By Nature crew to make your own flag using traditional artistic practices and skills including natural dyeing, stick whittling and sewing.

SUSTAINABILITY ZONE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Cathederal Square

11am - 4pm

All Ages
Free Event

Join not-for-profit environmental youth organisation Millenium Kids and author Daisy Jo Bear in the Sustainability Area to craft with recycled materials, race through recycling challenges and find the fanciest op-shop outfits for a dress-up photo shoot.

STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

12:00 – 12:40

Ages 0-5
Free Event

Daisy-Jo Bear’s feisty Green Fairy is on a mission to save the world, one planet-friendly idea after another. But can she recycle a lost dog called Bear?

Daisy-Jo Bear

Where Ya Goin?

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

12:00 – 1:00

Ages 5-10
Tickets $30

A wild and whimsical adventure through the Australian outback in this fun-filled writing workshop for kids. Celebrate the magic of friendship and explore the quirky world of outback animals. Get ready to follow Echidna’s journey with a big bag of marshmallows in his rickety old bus. Unleash your creativity and imagination as you discover the joys of storytelling! Have a blast writing humorous stanzas about the most lovable Aussie creatures, based on Steve’s beloved “Where Ya Goin’?” illustrated by Matty Mitchell.

Steve Heron

STIG WEMYSS LIVE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

12:00 – 12:30

All Ages
Free Event

Possibly the most familiar voice in Australia! Stig Wemyss has recorded audio books for just about every famous author. And now he’s created The TrippDiaries, his own audio book mystery series. Who’s kidnapping the koalas?

Stig Wemyss

CREATIVES IN CONVERSATION

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

1:00 – 1:30

All Ages
Free Event

The best illustrators in the business. Eszra (Brenton E McKenna), Gavin Aung Than and Sean E Avery get into graphic conversation about the power of pictures in telling stories.

Brenton E McKenna, Gavin Aung Than and Sean E Avery

INTERNATIONAL STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Long Chim Sensory Zone

1:00 – 1:40

Ages 0-5
Free Event

Once upon a time… Unwaith ar y tro…

Join Filipa Pinto, owner of international bookstore Le Toboggan for stories from all over the world and listen felizes para sempre!

Filipa Pinto

Advanced Comics and Graphic Novel Skills (for teens)

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
The Mark

1:00 – 2:00

Ages 12+
Tickets $30

Join award-winning writer, illustrator and graphic novelist James Foley as he takes you behind-the-scenes of a graphic novel. Learn about script-writing, pacing, character consistency and advanced panel techniques, and take home terrific tips and tricks to supercharge your own comics. 

James Foley

UPCYCLED HAIKU

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Long Chim Sensory Zone

1:30 - 4pm

Ages 7+
Free Event

How do you haiku? Upcycle those syllables now! We’re into upcycling in a big way at Scribblers Festival. Dip into our stash of old books and rearrange words and phrases into a brand new haiku poem. Sharpen up your syllable-count and join us for the fun

Fantastic Characters

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

1:30 – 2:30

Ages 6-12
Tickets $30

Ever flicked through the pages of a picture book and dreamed about creating fantastic characters that bend, twist, jump and leap off every page? To celebrate the upcoming release of her dazzling new picture book, 'Gymnastica Fantastica!'  award-winning author and illustrator Briony Stewart is running an interactive illustration workshop, where you will learn how to draw some of her most beloved characters and create a colourful portrait of your own. Suitable for ages 6-12. Please bring a note pad and pencil to your session.

Briony Stewart

LIT LIVE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

2:00 – 2:30

All Ages
Free Event

They’re lit, and they’re live!  

Watch as Lit Live, a collective of Perth’s finest actors, make plot and character leap out of the page with vibrant performances of the world’s most beloved stories.

Lit Live Team

SENSORY STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Long Chim Sensory Zone

2:00 – 2:30

Ages 0-5
Free Event

Specially for our littlest Scribblers and those wanting to experience the magic of storytelling in a quieter way. Listen to Renae Hayward read from her new story Say Hooray.

Renae Hayward

MAKE MINE A MONSTER

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
The Mark

2:30 – 3:30

Ages 8+
Tickets $30

Make your own monster! Every good story needs something good and scary, and Eszra (Brenton McKenna) is an expert monster-maker. How does he do it, and more importantly, how will YOU?    Bring a pad and pencil to this workshop.

Brenton E McKenna

STORY BATTLE

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Marquee

3:00 – 3:30

All Ages
Free Event

Your chance to challenge our creatives to a word skirmish! Which one can come up with the best stories on the spot? YOU make the suggestions, and YOU choose the winners!

INTERNATIONAL STORY TIME

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Storytelling Zone

3:00 – 3:40

Ages 0-6
Free Event

Once upon a time… Unwaith ar y tro…

Join Filipa Pinto, owner of international bookstore Le Toboggan for stories from all over the world and listen felizes para sempre!

Filipa Pinto

MAKING MINI-COMICS

BOOK NOW
SOLD OUT
NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Perth Library

3:00 – 4:00

Ages 7-10
Tickets $30

Make a mini-comic. Join Sean E Avery for a comic-making workshop inspired by his new graphic novel series Friendly Bee and Friends. Learn about character development, story structure and pacing, comic lettering and panelling, and tips for self-publishing.

Sean E Avery

Super Scribblers VIP Passes

Want to experience everything that the Scribblers Family Festival has to offer as well as exclusive back-stage experiences? How about a chance to meet your favourite author or illustrator, enjoy front row access to awesome Scribblers events like the Epic Illustrator Battle, and get creative in a workshop of your choice?

Get all of this and more with the access-all-areas Super Scribblers Package!

Your package includes:

- Morning tea and special Scribblers welcome
- Reserved front row access for the Scribblers Opening Event and all free talks and events
- Special guest meet and greet with award-winning author and illustrator Kylie Howarth
- Priority access to the Scribblers signing tent
- Behind-the-scenes access across the Festival (including a visit to our exclusive Green Room)
- A complimentary signed book pack from the awesome Scribblers book shop*
- Complimentary access to a paid workshop of your choice.*
Choose between:
Painting Collage Workshop with Sean E Avery
Mischief Illustration Workshop with Kylie Howarth
What Is It? An art workshop with Rachael Robertson

Each package includes attendance for one child and an attending adult, so you can share the Scribblers fun.
Packages are limited – so get in quickly! Buy Here.

Please note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
*One accompanying adult is included in the price of the ticket, however please note that accompanying adults are not provided with complimentary workshop tickets or a signed book pack.

Program

Make sure check out the full Event Program below.

The main sessions and activities throughout our Family Weekend are all FREE!

Our Creative Workshops are ticketed and spaces are limited, so make sure you book your place soon.

Festival Map

Meet our Family Festival Stars!

Anya Seabourne

Anya Seabourne is a London-born poet, writer and secondary school English teacher in Perth, Western Australia. Anya’s poems have been published in Western Australian anthologies and she has been involved with Scribblers Festival facilitating activities since its inception in 2018.

Bonnie Davies

Bonnie Davies is a multi-award winning producer and performer based in Perth, Australia. She is the creator and performer behind ‘Famous Sharron’  a parody character - who is ‘very famous for nothing at all’.

Brenton E McKenna

The E stands for Eszra, who’s a Yawuru graphic novelist and streetwear artist based in Rubibi/Broome. The creator of Ubby’s Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon, and Ole Champ (the comic strip in The West Australian), Eszra’s latest graphic novel Hairy Holes, a hilarious look at life in the outback. He describes himself as shy | confident | quiet | loud | meek | bold | slow | fast | day | night | funny | serious.

Briony Stewart

Ever been unable to get to sleep because there’s a dragon outside your bedroom window? Or know a dog who thinks he’s the boss? Briony’s award-winning stories include the Kumiko and the Dragon series and We Love You Magoo. Briony loves live drawing challenges, daydreaming and discussing dragons, bunnies and how to tame lions.

Daisy-Jo Bear

Being a parent to five children has given Daisy-Jo a thorough training in the art of bedtime storytelling! As part of their writing process, they love immersing themselves in their projects: diving headfirst into the research, production, and fine-tuning of the stories like The Green Fairy and the Lost Dog.

Filipa Pinto

As a Portuguese-born, French-raised book enthusiast, married to a Peruvian, it’s no wonder that Filipa has raised multilingual children. It’s also no wonder she owns Le Toboggan, an online store which sells international titles. Her bookshop is almost like an extension of her own family bookshelf!

Gary Lonesborough

Gary is a Yuin writer, a massive Kylie Minogue and North Queensland Cowboys fan, and part of a large and proud Aboriginal family from the far south of New South Wales. Growing up as a queer Aboriginal kid, Gary was always writing, but says “I stopped reading because I couldn't see myself in books. So I wrote one instead.”

It was a YA novel called The Boy from the Mish. His second book is called We Didn’t Think It Through.

Gavin Aung Than

A bestselling cartoonist, Gavin is the creator of webcomic Zen Pencils, which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, Super Sidekicks, a graphic novel series, and the picture book Baa Baa Black Belt, about a self-proclaimed ‘mighty warrior’ sheep whose kick is maybe less meaty than his chop.  Gavin lives in Boorloo/Perth with his family and two miniature schnauzers.

Helen Milroy

Helen is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara. A psychiatrist and a university professor, Helen qualified as Australia’s first Aboriginal doctor, and in 2021 was named Australian of the Year. She is also an absolute expert in telling and illustrating tales of Western Australia’s backyard and outback bugs, birds and beasties in books like The Cockatoo Wars and Owl and Star.

Ian Daniell

Artist Ian was born in northern England, a world away from the inspiration for his art: the creatures and lifeforms of the Indian Ocean. From small corals and sponges to giant manta rays and sharks, Ian’s paintings bring underwater wonders to life and sometimes life-size! He now calls Wardandi Country (the Margaret River region) home.

Isobel Bevis

What if we could meet our Ancestors? The main character in Isobel Bevis’ debut book Nedingar: Ancestors wants to do just that, declaring: Ngaangk, ngany koodakarn Djinang nganyang nedingar.  “Please Mum, I want to meet my Ancestors.” Isobel, who is a Wilman/Ballardong Noongar author, has a strong connection to Minninup River near Collie, where her Ancestors are resting. Isobel’s story is illustrated by Wudjari and Goreng Noongar artist Leanne Zilm.

James Foley

James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. James writes and draws; he gives talks and runs workshops. He tells dad jokes. Legend says James can grow a beard in an afternoon. He lives in Perth with his wife Renae, their 2 kids, and a labrador called Frankie.

Jeanette Stampone

Jeanette’s the creator of Shadow and the Girl, and The Dragon Guest Handbook. While she now lives in Western Australia, Jeanette grew up in a spooky 300-year-old house deep in the English countryside, a perfect setting for pixies, ghosts and fairies, and also the perfect inspiration for writing stories!

Katie Stewart

Katie was once an archaeologist and ethnohistorian (look it up!). She is now the author of picture books like Wombat Can’t Sing and When I Can Fly. In her spare time, Katie tries to play the harp or wanders the countryside around her farm in Ballardong Noongar boodja with a metal detector, amusing the neighbours and occasionally finding something interesting.

Kristin Connolly

As a visual storyteller and life coach, Kristin Connolly uses creativity as a tool to connect people to themselves and each other. Combining her background in art & creative direction; skills in live scribing, illustration, and painting; with her life coaching experience, she aims to do her part in making the world a better, more connected place, with a lot of heart.

Kylie Howarth

Kylie is an award-winning children’s book author-illustrator. She is also part fish! Kylie has swum with whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales in Ningaloo, piranha and pink dolphins in the Amazon, braved scuba diving with lionfish in Egypt, marine iguanas and hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands and encountered great white sharks in South Africa!

Laura Keenan

Laura was once an editor in the USA. Now she is a flash fiction writer and editor in Perth, loving the challenge of writing small, intense stories, and running a publishing company. If you like being thrown straight into the guts of a story, then Laura’s the writer for you!

Lit Live

Bringing the page alive on the stage, Lit Live is collective of Boorloo / Perth’s finest actors, who make theatre for the mind and soul from the world’s most beloved stories.

Olman Walley

Performer and educator Olman is a Wilman, Balardong, Binjareb, Wadjuk Nyoongar man, raised in the Wilman (Wheatbelt) region. He was taught Noongar culture by his family and Elders. Olman’s Nyoongar name is Chitty Chitty (Willy Wagtail).

Paul Uhlmann

Paul is a Walyalup/Fremantle based artist who lived in many locations across Australia before his parents settled in Canberra. He’s illustrated The Useless Tune penned by his brother, renowned journalist Chris, with whom he used to play touch Rugby in the front yard of their family home: no rules, just swift flicks of the ball until the sun went down with free-flowing footy continuing into the darkness.

Rachael Robertson

The A-Z was never this much fun! My Amazing Animal Alphabet Alliteration Book (try saying it fast) is author, illustrator and educator Rachael’s first book. She lives in Boorloo/Perth with her husband, two daughters, and energetic dog, Coco.

Renae Hayward

Renae was born in the Pilbara during a cyclone! After this dramatic start in life, Renae came south, and now lives near Walyup/ Fremantle with her family and Frankie the labrador in a house overflowing with books. Renae has written two books for children, Barking Mad and Say Hooray.

Sandra van Doorn

Acclaimed illustrator Sandra is originally from France. She likes art, photography, running outdoors, yoga, travelling, reading, playing the piano, sleeping, things that smell good, Paris. She doesn’t like long dinner parties, empty talk, lentils. Or bad manners.

Sarah McNeill

Sarah is an MC, presenter, actor and arts writer. As an actor in film, television and theatre, Sarah loves treading the board in another person’s shoes, but what she really loves is getting up on stage in her own shoes and chatting! She regularly hosts book launch events for Fremantle Press, and MCs music and arts events.

Sean E Avery

According to Sean’s bestselling picture book, All Monkeys Love Bananas. Sean’s a South African-born writer-illustrator, sculptor and designer now living in Boorloo/Perth. His other books are Happy as a Hog Out of Mud and Frank’s Red Hat, which has been translated into Korean, French, Danish and German. Sean says he is curious, enthusiastic and ready to work hard for the things he believes in. Sean also won of the 2023 CBCA Shadow Judges Picture book of the year Award from Frank’s Red Hat.

Shane Adamczak

Shane Adamczak is 2003 WAAPA graduate who, over the last two decades has become a stalwart of the West Australian Theatre and Improv scene; a Fringe Festival veteran of over 60 festivals worldwide and “One of Perth’s most successful independent theatre creators” (The Sunday Times) as a founding member and current Artistic Director of Independent Theatre Company Weeping Spoon Productions.

Steve Heron

Steve’s four decades focusing on children’s well-being has resulted in lots of important conversations, an Order of Australia Medal, and many award-winning books.

Stig Wemyss

If you listen to kids’ audio books, chances are you’ll already be familiar with Stig’s voice, because he’s made recordings for just about every famous Australian author! Stig’s also created his own audio book series The Tripp Diaries, in which an intrepid family goes on the road and tracks down some koala snatchers.

Tankateo

French artist Tankateo studied Fine Art and Design, working as a graphic designer until 2010. After traveling, Tankateo based herself in Perth, where she has refined her drawing skills and turned her hand to quirky portraits and murals. She is always looking for collaborations with local creatives and has a particular passion for street art and working with young people.

Partners

FORM, Scribblers and Creative Schools would like to thank our Government Partners Lotterywest, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the City of Perth, and the United States Consulate for their vision and support in helping Scribblers ignite a passion for literature and creativity in young people across the State.

A big thank you to the State Buildings for helping to home our festival this year.

To all our wonderful partners, who are supporting Scribblers in so many different ways: funding, venues, volunteering, talent and creative oomph, thank you.

And thank you to all the parents, children, librarians, authors and illustrators for continuing to be the lead characters in the Scribblers story.
Government Partners
Creative Thinker
Donor
With thanks to Cathedral Square.
Government Partners
Creative Thinker
Donor
With thanks to Cathedral Square.
Volunteer at Scribblers Festival

Volunteer With Us

Scribblers Festival is run by a small, passionate team and we always appreciate a helping hand. The Festival needs you to help spread the magic of storytelling. We’re on the lookout for Volunteers for the 2023 Festival offerings. It’s a great opportunity to gain work experience on a major event, connect with fellow creatives, and perhaps even meet a favourite author or artist!
Apply Now!

Access

All Festival venues are wheelchair accessible

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Make curiosity part of your curriculum. Learn about Scribblers Festival just for schools, including our online Teachers' Lounge, which will be brimming with tools to use in the classroom before and after your visit.
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