Tim warms up ‘gutsy’ festival

ENVIRONMENTALIST and author Professor Tim Flannery will open a national non-fiction festival in Geelong next month.
Prof Flannery will give a keynote address at the opening of the second annual Word For Word Festival on 10 September.
The address will be based on his latest book, Atmosphere of Hope, a follow up to his best-selling The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth.
The largest national event to showcase all forms of non-fiction writing, Word For Word will be at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus from 11 to 13 September.
Ideas, discussion and debate will flow across the three days, with more than 70 guest speakers including playwright Hannie Rayson, award-winning journalist Latika Bourke, archaeologist Adam Ford, model Nicky Buckley and television legend Mal Leyland.
Word For Word creative producer Maryanne Vagg said this year’s “gutsy” program would not shy away from exploring big issues and tough topics.
Vagg said the packed program would once again pose a dilemma for those attending.
“My favourite feedback from last year was that it was too hard to choose. Well I can tell you it’s the same challenge this year I’m afraid.”
Topics to be explored include sex, narcissism, grief, sport, economics, motherhood and the supermarket wars. A powerful digital story exhibition, Home to Home, will be one of two free events as part of the festival.
“Home to Home will be very moving,” Vagg said.
“It tells 22 powerful stories of a hidden part of our society – young people with a disability living in nursing homes because they have nowhere else to go.”
Anyone wanting to rub shoulders with a favourite author or presenter can attend a special BackStory Salon Event will on 12 September. The event offers an opportunity for discussion over gourmet finger food and wine.