Scribblers on the Road: Pilbara 2026

Where Big Imaginations Take Flight

We believe creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s essential to how young people learn to think boldly, solve problems, and imagine bright futures for themselves. Scribblers on the Road is our way of taking that spark across Western Australia, connecting young readers, writers, and artists in regional communities with acclaimed story creators who rarely get the chance to travel beyond the capital cities.

This September, we were thrilled to return to Port Hedland for our fourth year. From high-octane school workshops to an action-packed, all-ages celebration, we invited students, families and story-lovers across teh Pilbara to jump in, share their voices, and explore where their imaginations could take them.
A massive thank you to all the incredible teachers, librarians, partners, families and young creators who've made this year's program possible! Until next time.
All images: Scribblers on the Road Pilbara, Family Fun Day, 2026. Photography by AB Videography.

Meet the 2026 Creative Stars

We’ve assembled an extraordinary lineup of published authors, illustrators, and cultural educators who are ready to share their passion and ignite young minds across the region:

‍

Kristy Nita Brown

Junior Fiction Author & Creative Mentor

Kristy is a beloved WA children's author and the 2025 Love to Read Local Month Children’s Writer in Residence. Known for her humorous and heart-filled junior fiction, Kristy excels at helping kids build confidence in their own creative voices, guiding them from that very first spark of an idea to a finished tale.

Kiah Thomas

Internationally Published Fantasy Author

Kiah is the acclaimed author behind the thrilling Callers fantasy trilogy (HarperCollins) and the delightful Lone Wolf series (Neal Porter Books, NY). Masterful at crafting rich worlds and lovable characters, Kiah loves pulling back the curtain on the writing process to help young authors turn their wild, everyday ideas into page-turning adventures.

Jayden Boundry

Noongar Educator, Cultural Storyteller & Author

Jayden is a proud Wadjak, Balardong, Yued, Wilman Noongar, and Badimaya Yamatji man, Noongar language teacher, and Fremantle Press author. Driven by a passion for sharing First Nations culture and language, Jayden brings stories alive through rich oral storytelling, interactive language discovery, and traditional craft traditions like rope-making.  

Aśka

Graphic Novelist, Visual Artist & Science Communicator

Aśka is an energetic visual storyteller and creator whose graphic novel Stars in Their Eyes (co-created with Jessica Walton) earned a prestigious Stonewall Award Notable designation. With her infectious enthusiasm and background in science and art, Aśka shows young creators how drawing comics can unlock brand-new ways of seeing the world and telling unforgettable stories.

Kristy Nita Brown

Junior Fiction Author & Creative Mentor

Kristy is a beloved WA children's author and the 2025 Love to Read Local Month Children’s Writer in Residence. Known for her humorous and heart-filled junior fiction, Kristy excels at helping kids build confidence in their own creative voices, guiding them from that very first spark of an idea to a finished tale.

Kiah Thomas

Internationally Published Fantasy Author

Kiah is the acclaimed author behind the thrilling Callers fantasy trilogy (HarperCollins) and the delightful Lone Wolf series (Neal Porter Books, NY). Masterful at crafting rich worlds and lovable characters, Kiah loves pulling back the curtain on the writing process to help young authors turn their wild, everyday ideas into page-turning adventures.

Jayden Boundry

Noongar Educator, Cultural Storyteller & Author

Jayden is a proud Wadjak, Balardong, Yued, Wilman Noongar, and Badimaya Yamatji man, Noongar language teacher, and Fremantle Press author. Driven by a passion for sharing First Nations culture and language, Jayden brings stories alive through rich oral storytelling, interactive language discovery, and traditional craft traditions like rope-making.  

Aśka

Graphic Novelist, Visual Artist & Science Communicator

Aśka is an energetic visual storyteller and creator whose graphic novel Stars in Their Eyes (co-created with Jessica Walton) earned a prestigious Stonewall Award Notable designation. With her infectious enthusiasm and background in science and art, Aśka shows young creators how drawing comics can unlock brand-new ways of seeing the world and telling unforgettable stories.

Free Family Fun Day Highlights

Sunday, 20 September 2026 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub, Port Hedland (Indoor Event | Free Entry)
The entire community is invited to join in a full day of creativity, culture, and connection:  
‍
Golden Feather

Superstar Masterclasses

Learn comic book drawing with Aśka, craft fiction with Kiah Thomas, discover Noongar language and traditional rope-making with Jayden Boundry, and build creative confidence with Kristy Nita Brown.
Golden Feather

Ways to be Wild Community Artwork

Join Kariyarra Elder Raylene Button from Spinifex Hill Studio, for a communal wildlife painting project celebrating the region's native animals and plants. Inspired by the Spring into Parks theme, Ways to Be Wild, everyone is invited to add their own touch of local colour, story and wildlife. Once complete, the artwork will become a lasting celebration of the Pilbara community and its incredible natural environment.

Supported by Spring into Parks, a WA Parks Foundation initiative, and Lotterywest
Golden Feather

Stories from Country

Settle in for Elder storytelling and hear the stories that have been shared on this Country for generations. Then explore the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre stall, where you can discover the languages of the Pilbara, browse their publications and resources.
Golden Feather

Youth in Control

Catch live music sets from paid local Hedland teenage performers, and watch kids take the mic at the interactive Young Experts' Symposium station.
Golden Feather

Free Lunch & Cozy Spaces

Enjoy a complimentary pizza lunch served at 12:30 pm, explore the local author bookshop hosted by Town of Port Hedland librarians, or relax in the sensory-friendly Quiet Zone.

Celebrating Creativity and Storytelling Across Pilbara Classrooms

Tuesday, 15 September – Friday, 18 September 2026
‍‍ Storytelling and creative expression are deeply woven into the fabric of the Pilbara. Designed as a two-way exchange of ideas and inspiration, the Scribblers in-school program brings visiting storytellers and illustrators together with students across eight local educational sites.  Through interactive workshops in visual arts, comic illustration, creative writing, and public speaking, creators and students will work together to build skills and celebrate local voices. Sessions will take place across local schools, including Yandeyarra Remote Community School, Strelley Community School (joined by Warralong students), Port Hedland School of the Air, Hedland Senior High School, and Cassia Education Support Centre.
Acknowledgement of Country

FORM and the Scribblers team respectfully acknowledge the Kariyarra people Marapikurrinya (Port Hedland), as the Traditional Owners of the Country on which these events take place.

Partners

Scribblers on the Road - Pilbara
Thank you to Lotterywest, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, Town of Port Hedland, Hanrine Foundation and Spinifex Trust for their vision and support in helping Scribblers ignite a passion for literature and creativity in young people across the State.
Government Partners
Trusts & Foundations

Applications are now open for community members who would like to be part of this exciting event.

‍We’re heading to the Pilbara for the second year to share an amazing day full of free entertainment, workshops, storytelling, art & craft, prizes and a community BBQ.
It’s a great day out for the whole family.  See you there!
We are looking for:  
- Organisations to host community art and craft stalls -
- Volunteers -
- Youth Buskers (aged 13-25) - $100 Performing fee + Busking Tips

For all opportunities, click the link below to apply and answer some short questions about yourself.
We’ll get in touch to let you know the outcome of your application.
‍Applications close 5PM Wednesday 21 May 2024.
Apply Now

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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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FORM and Scribblers acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Western Australia both past and present, whose enduring connection to this Country and ongoing contributions to our collective culture and communities we respect and honour. We appreciate and are deeply grateful for the privilege of working on these lands.
Scribblers Festival is an initiative of:
© 2026 Scribblers Festival. All Rights Reserved.