By JESSE GRAHAM
AUTHORS will be flocking to the Yarra Ranges next autumn, when a Dandenong Ranges writing festival comes down from the hills and into the valley.
On Monday 28 July, Autumn Authors Festival chairperson Mary Mason announced that the Autumn Authors writers’ festival will be coming to the Yarra Valley next year.
The expansion of the festival, which was run across the Dandenong Ranges last year, was made possible by sponsorships, including $4000 from Healesville’s RACV Country Club.
Though next year’s festival is still in its preliminary planning stages, Ms Mason said the event would be run for three weeks in May 2015, and will feature well-known writers and local authors.
Festival organiser Melissa Chipp said the community had already given strong support for the festival’s return, after an absence this year.
“We’re really happy that the RACV is coming on board to support it,” she said.
“It shows the trust that the community has in the festival, that such a great organisation is supporting it.”
One of the drawcard events, a writing competition for school children, will be held in next year’s festival, for students across the entire Yarra Ranges municipality.
Ms Mason said the organisers were in discussions with the Wheeler Centre about holding a keynote event for the festival, and finding authors to come to the Yarra Ranges.
“We’re hoping to get some fairly well-known people to come to most places, but we haven’t got any confirmations yet,” she said.
“We’re hoping to involve local writers, and we might have an open mic session.”
Healesville RACV Country Club manager Mark Lucas said he had attended last year’s festival and was excited to help expand it into the valley.
The website for the festival, www.autumnauthors.com, will be launched with more details and confirmed events at the start of 2015.
