Sydney Writers' Festival

Join us for Live & Local 2024, streamed live by Sydney Writers’ Festival and delivered locally to Latrobe City. 

Thursday 23 May - Sunday 26 May | 10am | GPAC Meeting Room 2 

One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will live-stream its headline events from Sydney to the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre from Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 May 2024.  

Prepare to be invigorated and engaged by conversations, debates and discussions featuring some of the world’s finest writers and thinkers. Audiences can also participate in live Q&A sessions at each event, sending questions straight to the Sydney stage.  

Thursday 23

10am – 11am | Julia Baird: Bright Shining

Broadcaster and Phosphorescence author Julia Baird. 

12pm – 1pm | Viet Thanh Nguyen: A Man of Two Faces

Author Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses his new work with writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law.

2pm – 3pm | Suzie Miller: Prima Facie

Award–winning playwright Suzie Miller in conversation with Nicole Abadee.

Friday 24

10am – 11am | A.C. Grayling: The Meaning of Life in a Technological Age  

Join pre-eminent philosopher A.C. Grayling for this special talk.

12pm – 1pm | The War on Journalists

Featuring Julian Borger, John Lyons, Alisa Sopova, and Anastasia Taylor-Lind. Hosted by Hamish Macdonald.

2pm – 3pm | Abdulrazak Gurnah: Afterlives

Acclaimed writer Abdulrazak Gurnah talks with Sisonke Msimang.

Saturday 25

10am – 11am | Celeste Ng: Our Missing Hearts

Bestselling author Celeste Ng discusses her new dystopian novel with Claire Nichols.  

12pm – 1pm | Trent Dalton: From Eli to Lola

Trent Dalton, award-winning author of Boy Swallows Universe in conversation with Cassie McCullagh.

2pm – 3pm | Storytellers: Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar

ABC legends Leigh Sales (Storytellers) and Lisa Millar (Muster Dogs) unpack the craft of turning real life events into narrative.

Sunday 26

10am – 11am | Barrie Cassidy and Friends: State of the Nation

Relive the year in Australian politics with veteran journo Barrie Cassidy, Bridget Brennan, Amy Remeikis, Niki Savva, and Laura Tingle.

11:30am – 12:30pm | Play Like a Girl

Olympic rugby gold medalist Chloe Dalton, decorated cycling Olympian Anna Meares, and world champion pro-athlete Jana Pittman chat with host Tracey Holmes.

1:30pm – 2:30pm | David Wengrow: The Dawn of Everything

Transform your understanding of human evolution with professor of archaeology David Wengrow, whose groundbreaking work with the late David Graeber overturns theories on the origins of farming, cities, democracy, slavery and civilisation itself. In conversation with ABC RN’s Richard Fidler.