All-Australian AFL champion and three-time premiership player Bachar Houli will be the special guest at the opening night of the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival, on Thursday 17 March, at the Bowery Theatre in St Albans.
This is one of twenty no-charge events featuring in the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival, running from 17-26 March.
Bachar will be interviewed by journalist Paul Bateman about his book, co-authored with acclaimed broadcaster and writer Waleed Aly, ‘Bachar Houli: Faith, Football and Family’.
The 2022 festival offers a range of entertaining, insightful and inclusive events over ten days at locations around Brimbank and online. Bookings are essential and there is no cost to attend any of the events.
Other highlights include:
- The screening of Palazzo Di Cozzo, a new documentary about iconic western suburbs furniture king – Franco Cozzo. The director of the documentary Madeleine Martiniello will join local storytellers and historians to discuss post-WWII migrants who made the west.
- Intergenerational storytelling with a panel of authors who discuss the joy and complexity of multilingual and cultural stories, and why we need more diverse voices in Australian writing.
- An evening with author and actor William McInnes as he shares stories from a colourful and creative career.
- Author talk with Brimbank’s own Mia Gjoni, a 14-year-old writer who will celebrate the release of her second book, ‘Our Trip to Alien Kingdom’.
The program also includes grassroots stories by local authors, poetry readings, and tips for writing a manuscript, competitions, and the new Story Strolls program that brings local stories to Brimbank’s lively shopping strips.
The festival events explore topics including youth LGBTIQA+ storytelling, panel discussions by authors of books about growing up disabled in Australia and parenting with a disability.
For families there is a story time session that explores the Islamic faith, and also a fun writing workshop for children.
Learn more, browse the program and book at the Brimbank Libraries’ festival website.
Bachar Houli opens Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival
What: Bachar Houli in conversation with Paul Bateman
When: Thursday 17 March, 630pm-8.30pm
Where: Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans
Cost: No charge, bookings essential.
The festival is proudly presented by Brimbank City Council with support from principal sponsor Victoria University Polytechnic and support sponsor Borrow Box.
