First Stories Collective
ABOUT THE SHOW
Melissa Lucashenko, Anita Heiss & Lenora Thaker in conversation with Bebe Oliver. Curated by Bebe Oliver.
What does the future of storytelling look like when First Nations voices lead the conversation? This panel explores cultural authority, publishing, readership, literary infrastructure and the power of stories within public memory and national identity. Bringing together leading First Nations writers, the discussion will examine the opportunities and tensions facing the sector, and what it’ll take to build a thriving and self-determined literary future for generations to come.
Supported by McCullough Robertson
PART OF BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Melissa Lucashenko is a multi-award-winning novelist from the Bundjalung nation. Too Much Lip won the 2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award and Edenglassie was released to critical acclaim in 2023. She is a Walkley Award winner, and her latest book is the essay collection Not Quite White in the Head.
Anita Heiss (Wiradyuri Nation) is an internationally published author of over 20 books. Her best-selling novel Tiddas was adapted for the stage and premiered at the Brisbane Festival in 2022. She is Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and her latest novel is The Paradise Pact.
Lenora Thaker is a Meriam and Wagedagam woman from Gimuy, also known as Cairns. She is published in various anthologies and magazines and won the 2021 Writing NSW Boundless Award for her manuscript. Her ground-breaking debut historical novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town, is published by Text Publishing.
Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi award-winning author, poet and illustrator. Moving across Country, memory and the layered realities of Blak and Queer life, his writing celebrates grief, love, identity and survival with a voice both vulnerable and strong. Bebe is the Artistic Director and CEO of Blak & Bright, is a Director of Na Djinang Circus, a Director of National NAIDOC, and is the Deputy Chair of Magabala Books. He lives and works on the unceded lands of the Kulin peoples and approaches story as responsibility and accountability to the strength and presence of Blak voices across Country.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
VENUE
TICKETS
DURATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suitable for all ages
18 months and under free on the knee; all other ages must hold a valid ticket
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Melissa Lucashenko is a multi-award-winning novelist from the Bundjalung nation. Too Much Lip won the 2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award and Edenglassie was released to critical acclaim in 2023. She is a Walkley Award winner, and her latest book is the essay collection Not Quite White in the Head.
Anita Heiss (Wiradyuri Nation) is an internationally published author of over 20 books. Her best-selling novel Tiddas was adapted for the stage and premiered at the Brisbane Festival in 2022. She is Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and her latest novel is The Paradise Pact.
Lenora Thaker is a Meriam and Wagedagam woman from Gimuy, also known as Cairns. She is published in various anthologies and magazines and won the 2021 Writing NSW Boundless Award for her manuscript. Her ground-breaking debut historical novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town, is published by Text Publishing.
Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi award-winning author, poet and illustrator. Moving across Country, memory and the layered realities of Blak and Queer life, his writing celebrates grief, love, identity and survival with a voice both vulnerable and strong. Bebe is the Artistic Director and CEO of Blak & Bright, is a Director of Na Djinang Circus, a Director of National NAIDOC, and is the Deputy Chair of Magabala Books. He lives and works on the unceded lands of the Kulin peoples and approaches story as responsibility and accountability to the strength and presence of Blak voices across Country.
