Newcastle Writers’ Festival is returning to Cessnock!

Cessnock City Council is thrilled to welcome the 2020 Newcastle Writers Festival back to Cessnock for the third time as the Festival teams up with Cessnock City Library and Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) to host a prestigious author event and popular children’s author program in local schools.   Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said it’s an amazing opportunity for Cessnock and looks forward to Council working again with the Newcastle Writers Festival.  

“The festival started in 2013 and last year boasted 120 events enjoyed by around over 12 000 visitors, including 3 000 school children. We’re excited to be a part of this fantastic celebration of writers and welcome visitors to our local government area.”  

Local school students will be lucky enough to meet and hear from acclaimed Australian children’s authors Frances Watts, Tony Flowers and Tania McCartney as they visit nine local school locations, attended by a total of 22 schools as part of the Festival’s Schools Program. The visiting writers will perform their work, talk about their craft and take questions offering local students a unique and creative learning experience.    

On Saturday afternoon 4 April, from 3 to 4pm, A Lot with a Little: Tim Costello will be held at the CPAC. Tim Costello will discuss the people and experiences that have shaped him, and the power of faith to sustain us in the face of the world’s biggest issues.  

Tim Costello is one of Australia’s leading voices on social justice and global poverty, and has been instrumental in ensuring these issues are placed on the national and international agenda. He travelled the world for work in poverty alleviation and emergency relief as he led World Vision in Australia for 13 years.  

Tim is an ordained Baptist minister and had years building community and addressing issues of justice in St Kilda and Melbourne. Tim was named in the Australian of the Year awards in 2006 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005.   His bestselling books include Hope, Faith, Streets of Hope, Tips from a Travelling Soul Searcher and, most recently, his memoir A Lot with a Little.  

This event will be hosted by Paul Bevan. Paul has worked in radio for 20 years producing and presenting current affairs programs on 1233 ABC Newcastle.  

Tickets to A Lot with a Little: Tim Costello are $25 and available by contacting Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on 4993 4266. Tim Costello will also be signing books, which can be purchased for $40 (hardcover) after the event.

 2/18/2020