UPDATE: 30th June 2022 – from Monika Roleff (Area Co-ordinator Central Goldfields Region). After eleven plus years, have handed over area-co-ordinator role of Words in Winter Central Goldfields. Gregg Joseph also handed over his role of Musical Director, and Christine Sullivan handed over role of voluntary patron. We would like to thank everyone who has been so kind and creative over the past years, and wish everyone well. There will be a new website created by Janice Simpson who is a local writer and has accepted the role of Maryborough Co-ordinator, Patty Brown remains Talbot Co-ordinator, Dunolly Neighbourhood Centre/Arts Hub have taken on their town’s co-ordinating position, and Carisbrook will be self-managing also, along with Avoca. Special thanks to local councils, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough Regional Library, local communities, businesses, and venues, media, and the many local and incoming artists who made these years great. Thanks in particular to Maia Irell and Daylesford Committee past and present, Glen and Peta Heyne, and founder David Hall and his late wife Lorelle. The fest had not existed in Maryborough area before 2011, and through the Daylesford Committee and Rhonda Fawcett (prior Clunes Co-ordinator) the approach was made to me to bring it to the region. Many happy memories are the result. With good wishes the event goes forward.
ARCHIVED SITE
This is the Central Goldfields Victoria region website, part of the Words in Winter Celebration originating in Daylesford, Victoria, more info here www.wordsinwinter.com. Theme for 2021 after a “missed” year, is “Renaissance”, featuring artists, writers, and musicians from Maryborough, Dunolly, Carisbrook, and Talbot. Theme of (2019) was “Life!” and featured an original work by Hepburn Shire artist Josh Bowes. Towns involved in 2020 Words in Winter Central Goldfields would have been Maryborough, Dunolly, Talbot, Carisbrook, and Avoca (Pyrenees Shire). We thank them for their efforts. Due to COVID-19, unfortunately like so many other events, it had to be postponed until next year. A celebration of our tenth year will be carried out online via social media. In 2021 Words in Winter returns, welcoming Talbot, and terrific to see Maryborough, Dunolly, Carisbrook, and Talbot representing Central Goldfields Region. Monika Roleff Voluntary Regional Co-ordinator, Voluntary Musical Supporter Christine Sullivan, Voluntary Musical Director Gregg R Joseph, and local venues. In 2019 Maryborough Butter Factory kindly donated print funds, which the participants are grateful for. Central Goldfields Shire have supported the local artists with tourism advertising in the winter edition of Goldfields Getaway. We are grateful for this support.
Words in Winter as a whole supports Creative Victoria cultural directions deriving from RCC2018 –
- the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung as Traditional Owners of this land with deep cultural roots and places these communities at its centre as First Peoples.
- the region’s cities and towns which have developed and nurtured a strong cultural identity, reflected in the area’s theatres, galleries, festivals and creative offering.
- the large number of artists developing work locally and collaborating with other artists and communities.
This season of events 2020 has been sadly postponed due to COVID-19. Find all town updates, information, and programmes at Words in Winter website here.
Links to websites of all Words in Winter towns below:
Daylesford & Hepburn Words in Winter 2021
Clever Towns Crossword Challenge Sponsored by Snodger Media
About
Words in Winter is an annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts. Words in Winter is a celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions.
Words in Winter is a not-for-profit organisation (operating as Spa Country Events Inc).
The festival is run by a volunteer committee of management, in 2013 – 2018 comprising Jen Bray: Chair, Anne E Stewart: Secretary, and Mark Dickenson: Treasurer.
Words in Winter is one of the broadest festivals in the Hepburn Shire region. In 2013 nine towns participated including Daylesford, Trentham, Clunes, Newstead, Creswick, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Carisbrook, and Dunolly. Each town’s events are organised by a volunteer Words in Winter committee or co-ordinator who create their own unique program.
The festival receives grant funding from Hepburn Shire and support through Hepburn Libraries for Family Day. It receives generous in-kind support from local businesses and individuals, without which it could not operate.
Words in Winter was founded in 2002 by David Hall and is now in its nineteenth year, read more about the history of Words in Winter.
Festival Directors, Daylesford – Maia Irell and Kevin Childs.
Words in Winter Central Goldfields Victoria - Maryborough Dunolly Carisbrook Talbot 