Gumboots and good reads at Byron Writers Festival

FESTIVALGOERS are being urged to follow in the footsteps of Melia Naughton – who is performing with her kids’ rock band The Gumboots – and don their wet weather gear for the Byron Writers Festival this weekend.

With rain on the radar, it could be a muddy event at Bangalow Showground, but organisers say they are prepared.

“There’s a lot of work that we do behind-the-scenes to prepare the grounds,” artistic director Jessica Alice said. “We can put gravel down to prevent mud and we have plenty of places for people to shelter if it’s raining. The wonderful thing about the big Hocker marquees that we have is they’re so sturdy and rain-proof.”

More than 160 authors and thinkers, including Tom Keneally, Andrew Denton and Peter Greste, will feature at the three-day event, with more than 10,000 tickets sold.

While some workshops and feature events – including Friday night’s in-conversation with Australian novelist Helen Garner and beloved local journalist Kerry O’Brien – are sold out, tickets to the festival are still available.

Alice urged attendees to come prepared for the elements. “People in Byron are pretty good at wearing their gumboots or work boots,” she said. “Bring a raincoat as it’s probably easier to wield on site than an umbrella. And if there’s a session you’re really looking forward to, get there early and get a seat.”

Festival co-founder and First National Byron Bay CEO Chris Hanley, who will also be interviewing several authors over the weekend, highlighted the event’s strong sense of community.

“People from the Northern Rivers come together with visitors from around the world and magic happens in those tents,” he said. “And this showground is the single most beautiful public space in the Byron Shire.”

Melia Naughton will not only entertain children and parents as part of the Sunday morning kids’ program with The Gumboots, but she’ll also close the festival that afternoon with a rousing Shire Choir singalong.

“We never reveal the song, but it’s usually a pop or rock song that most people will know – something joyous and uplifting,” she said.

Although last year’s co-Australian of the Year and Brainstorm author Professor Richard Scolyer and Insight presenter Kumi Taguchi were forced to cancel due to illness, Alice said the program has otherwise remained largely unchanged.