Newstead Arts Hub

22/09/2026

Okay, this is me, slightly frazzled, emerging from the festival planning cave. 😂

And yes, that is my kid drilling something in the background while I’m trying to record this. This is apparently how we’re doing professional marketing now. 😂

We’re getting SO close to the Newstead Young Writers Festival — and because it’s school holidays, it’s the perfect time to bring the kids along for a day of stories, creativity and making stuff.

We’ve got more than 20 incredible writers and artists, workshops, panels, comics, storytelling, drawing, writing, songwriting, mentoring and loads more — all happening at the beautiful old Newstead railway station on Sunday 11 October.

Me and the team have put a ridiculous amount of work into making this festival happen, and I would REALLY love to see people there. ❤️

If you’ve got a young writer, reader, drawer, storyteller, daydreamer or generally creative kid in your life, come along.

Tickets are on sale now! 🎟️

https://www.newsteadyoungwritersfestival.com/2026program

22/09/2026

Not to be dramatic, but...
PROGRAM AND TICKETS ARE GO!
Newstead Young Writers Festival
Sunday 11 October

20+ writers, illustrators & storytellers
Workshops • Author talks • Mentoring • Storytelling • Drop-in creative fun

$15 Golden Tickets (5-18y) Choose up to 4 workshops
$5 Adults, kids under 5 FREE.

And yep — we've got plenty for teens.

Check out the program and book today!

17/09/2026

13/09/2026

Massive lineup for Newstead Young Writers Festival on 10+11 October, full program and tickets drop this week! Don’t miss the newsletter because they’ll hear it first! Sign up on our website and book in advance for workshops. Tickets sell fast! And there’s plenty more for all the storytellers in the family. Author talks all day, storytimes, activities, a bookshop to browse, and lots more!

09/09/2026

Have you heard the word on the street?
It's out now in the Midland Express.
This years' Newstead Young Writers Festival is going to be incredible, with not just one, but two former Australian Children's Laureates and also, not one, but two fabulous award winning singer songwriters to mentor our older writers, plus a host of fantastic authors and illustrators on festival day.
Check out all the details on our socials, or on the website.
Register for our ticket drop NOW!
Proudly supported and sponsored by:
Newstead Arts Hub, Newstead Live Music Festival, Eliza Hull, Mo’Ju, Renewable Newstead, Community Bank Maldon & District, Castlemaine Library, Newstead Primary School, RedGum - the Waldorf School of Central Victoria, Squishy Minnie Bookstore and many more. Support the next generation of storytellers by making a tax deductible donation through our page at the Australian Cultural Fund. https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000hTsp4MAC/2026-newstead-young-writers