A
VICTORIA ALEXANDER - 'One'
This beautifully designed book is full of advice and ideas for grateful living- and a reminder that you may be only one human, but that is enough to make a difference in the world.
Recorded on Arts Canvass Bay FM 99.9 2019
ALI ALIZADEH - The Last Days of Jeanne D'Arc
Ali Alizadeh's immense scholarship has brought the world a new view of Joan of Arc. Documenting and re imagining her last days, he bases his recreation of the events on research, but also a feeling of connectedness with his historical subject.
Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2018
GREG APPEL - The Lighthouse Keepers
This is a wonderful, scrappy, gossipy and sometimes poignant account of being part of the 80's music scene in Australia. It was a time when the only place to play was a pub backroom, even if , like the Lighthouse Keepers, you weren't exactly backroom material. It was a time when touring meant going thousands of miles around Australia in a small van with 4 others, sleeping in one room in cheap motels, and then doing the whole thing overseas . And then, finding no real pot of gold at the end of the musical rainbow, but lots of great memories. Here musician and documentary maker Greg Appel shares his and others recollections of the time before the term ' music industry' was a real thing.
Recorded by phone 2020
MELISSA ASHLEY – The Birdman’s Wife
James Gould was famous as for his beautiful printed and hand coloured depictions of Australian birds. But it was his wife Elizabeth who produced the bulk of this wonderful work. In this first chapter she encounters Gould in his workroom and is fascinated by all she sees.
Recorded at the Sydney Writers Festival 2017
AMAL AWAD – Beyond Veiled Clichés
Amal Awad wants us to understand that we often have a distorted view of Arab women, and muslim women. Her book details real stories and lives and shows us that diversity and variety are human traits and that we have more in common than in difference.
Recorded at the Bellingen Writers Festival 2018
C
KATE CEBERANO- Unsung
Kate Ceberano's book is like a full concert-it's her story as an artist struggling to regain her voice, finding happiness in her painting and textiles during Covid, and her joyful approach to her craft and her life. Here she details one her most fearful episodes.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2024
DANY CELEMAJER- Summertime
Dany is a committed animal activist and writes movingly of losing animal friends in the fires. One is saved, and slowly responds to care.
Recorded at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2022
STUART COUPE – Roadies
Stuart Coupe, veteran rock writer has turned his gaze from the front of the stage to the behind the scenes men and women- and finds it’s a hard life supporting the famous. However, lighter moments do abound ,and this read concerning the roadies of Cold Chisel is one of legend.
Recorded at the Bellingen Writers Festival 2018
Shake Some Action
This is Stuart’s lovely recollection of buying his first ever record and proudly playing it for his parents. Unfortunately, their reaction wasn’t what he was expecting. The rest of the book is fantastic memoir of his life side stage for some of the biggest music names in the business.Recorded at Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2024
D
TIM DEAN- How we Became Human
Tim Dean hilariously explains how an overload of pleasure can be obtained from a simple Tim Tam - and why if chimpanzees had Facebook it would be different!
Recorded at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2022
E
MATTHEW EVANS - On Eating Meat
Whether you are a confirmed meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan this book is required reading to fully understand the ramifications of the decisions we make on a daily basis when it comes to food. Matthew Evans believes in sustainable agriculture, and his research will show you just how complex and interwoven is the process by which we produce and consume food.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2019
Milk
Matthew Evans has examined many of the foods we eat in great depth and in this book he turns his focus onto Milk- an everyday substance that is actually quite miraculous.Recorded at Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2024
F
DELIA FALCONER - Signs and Wonders
A lyrical observation on our modern life and the the consolation to be obtained by observing the natural world. Gentle and philosophical, but also unstinting in its criticism of our failings to halt the decay of our environment.
Recorded at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2022
KATE FULLAGAR - Bennelong and Phillip A History Unravelled
Who really was famed indigenous warrior Bennelong? Has history really given us a clear and honest story of both Bennelong and Phillip and how their lives entwined? This book explodes some of the long held ideas about first contact and governance and goes some way to explaining the lack of treaty from the start between Britain and Indigenous Australians.
Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2024
G
GEORGE GITTOES – Blood Mystic
George Gittoes has used his talents in many art forms to draw attention to the plight of those in war zones- both civilian and army. Here he recounts ( with a few asides!) a series of incidents that typify his experiences in these areas.
Recorded at the Sydney Writers Festival 2017
A.C GRAYLING- The Age of Genius
Noted historian, philosopher and academic, Professor A. C Grayling claims that the 17th c was the greatest ever change in the mental outlook of humanity. Here he offers a small illustration of how the rise of occultism led to scientific methods that had far reaching effects.
For the Good of the World
An examination of where we are headed in the 21st century and the suggestion that further and deeper co-operation between nations is our best hope for a brighter future.Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
This site is brought to you by artist Karena Wynn-Moylan
This site is wholly designed and maintained by Fine Artist Karena Wynn-Moylan. View more of her paintings by clicking on the image here. Paintings, books, prints for sale and commissions accepted through her website .
(Image shown: 'Things Fallen: Azaleas' - Transparent Oil glazes on Polycotton canvas. 100 cms X 75 cms POA) H
JEAN HINCHCLIFFE - Lead the Way
The subtitle on this book is "How to Change the world from a teen activist and school stirrer'. Jean Hinchcliffe was the lead organiser behind School Strike 4 Climate . She is passionate about social change and has written an ultimate guide to activism and the process for achieving systematic change. She began very young at 13 and now at 18 is a seasoned campaigner.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
MARK HOLDEN - My Idol Years
Mark Holden was a golden boy popstar in the eighties- platinum record success, courted by Elton John's management, he had the world at his feet. While his book concentrates on his rise and fall as an Australian Idol judge, this read is about a treasured memory, singing with his idols The Temptations.
Recorded at Byron writers Festival 2017
I
NATALIE ISAACS - Right here, Right Now
According to author Natalie Isaacs, we can all do with a a bit more optimism when facing the big issues of life, particularly Climate Change. Not the sort of pollyanna-ish sort, but the sort of solidly grounded understanding that problems can be solved and we will humanly survive.
Recorded at the Bellingen Reader's and Writers Festival 2023
J
GAIL JONES - Salonika Burning
A little known fact of the First world War was that hundreds of women volunteered in the Medical Corps - nurses, orderlies and even surgeons. Many of them were sent to the ancient city of Salonika which was almost totally destroyed and this book is based on records though fictionalized for narrative.
Recorded at the Bellingen Reader's and Writers Festival 2023
K
YUMNA KASSAB - Politica
Yumna writes short vignettes that pack a huge emotional punch. In 'Politica' she highlights inequities in society and deplores the anonymity of victims of war.
Recorded at Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2024
L
MARCIA LANGTON - The Quiet Revolution -Boyer Lecture 2012
Professor Marcia Langton delivered this lecture in 2012, but only sees further advancement since then in the area of indigenous people's development of the land. The creation of millions of hectares of natural reserves, managed areas and conservation by traditional ways is restoring the land and its peoples to health. Expansion of this scheme is the way of the future, as the country's original inhabitants take back control they also gain self respect , prosperity and autonomy.
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
DAVID LESER- Women, Men and the Whole Damn Thing
It's time for a change - a real change of the power relationships between the sexes. Building on so many authors and movements that have preceded 'Me Too!", David Leser feels that at last the genie is well and truly out of the bottle and it's only a matter of time before we enter a brave new world of gender parity, respect and support for both the sexes.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2019
DAVID LOVEJOY - Heresy
David's book is a wonderful combination of fiction and philosophy. In this extract , his character Arwel, is lost in the desert .
ANTONY LOEWENSTEIN- The Palestine Laboratory
Antony Loewenstein has spent half his lifetime deeply researching the influence of Israel on world politics particularly on the United States. Much of what he has found about the adoption of Israeli political and military tactics by other countries is frightening and depressing. He combines his facts with deeply affecting personal stories from the many people victimized by this system.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2023
M
HUGH MACKAY -Beyond Belief
Hugh Mackay believes even if we don't define ourselves as religious we are all on this spiritual quest called 'life' – and we must find ways to relate to each other ethically and compassionately.
Recorded at Sydney Writers Festival 2016
MARK McKENNA -Return to Uluru
At Uluru in 1934 an Aboriginal man was murdered by a white police officer. Although the officer went to trial he was acquitted and went on to live a long and prosperous life. Investigating this cold case throws up a surprising legacy - a detailed journal by the officer found in a family garage that reveals all. Mark McKenna is one of Australia's leading historians.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
P
BRUCE PASCOE - Young Dark Emu
Young Dark emu is a simpler version 'Dark Emu' ,Bruce Pascoe's deeply researched account of the true history of indigenous Australia. Far from being simple hunter gatherers, moving constantly around the continent in search of food, Australia's early inhabitants grew crops, trapped fish, made permanent settlements and had a rich cultural life. Bruce Pascoe sees the future is in the hands of young Australians, to understand this legacy, and what we can all learn from it.
Recorded a the Byron Writers Festival 2019
SARAH PERCY - Forgotten Warriors
History has glossed over, forgotten or just outright ignored the roles of women in wars down through the ages. Women have been soldiers, caterers, comfort companions , weapons maintainers, and more. In fact no historical army travelled without them.
Recorded at Byron writers Festival 2024
ALISON PENNINGTON - Gen F'd?
Alison Pennington pulls no punches as she methodically traces the developments that have led us to the prospect of a whole generation shut out from security and the promise of jobs and homes rapidly disappearing.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2023
TEX PERKINS -Tex
As a rock'n'roll frontman Tex Perkins has had enormous success on the Australian and overseas music scene- but he is happiest he says just turning up to play with his band of the moment. This read details his early beginnings with his band The Dum Dums - apparently not everyone appreciated their sense of humour! STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING ! (You are entering the music scene!)
Recorded at Byron writers Festival 2017
STEPHEN PYNE- Burning Bush
Australia has known terrible bushfires in the past- but Stephen Pyne explains here why it is going to become our future and only increase in severity. Why is due to a number of interlocking factors, some of which we can control.
Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2019
R
HENRY REYNOLDS - A Forgotten War
The 'war' referred to in the title of this book is about the the conflicts between white settlers and the indigenous people's of Australia that have been deliberately obscured by historians or simply blurred over with the passage of time. This is from the first chapter in the book, which details an incident in Tasmania which led to contemporary questioning of the definition of three native people taken into custody - were they criminals or prisoners of war?
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
S
JESS SCULLY - Glimpses of Utopia
If you feel overwhelmed by the most urgent issues of today , Jess has researched 'reasons to be cheerful'. Not that we shouldn't be worried, just there are solutions, there is hope and these are some of the good things that are happening globally.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2023
TRICIA SHANTZ - Neverland
The appearance of Byron Bay today is completely at odds with its history as an abattoir and a whaling industry. But even when its beaches were bloody with abattoir effluent the spectacular surfing of the Pass was attracting surfers from around the world . It was surfing that put Byron Bay on the map and it continues to influence its culture.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
JULIANNE SCHULTZ - The Idea of Australia
Emeritus Professor Julianne Schultz has written a timely examination of the myths we have created and endorsed about our national character. Are we a 'classless' society? Do we believe in a 'fair go' for everyone? Or just some of the population?
Recorded at Kyogle Writers Festival 2022
ADAM SHOEMAKER- 'Black Words, White Page'
Adam Shoemaker has been at the forefront of the development of indigenous literature in Australia. His support and detailed studies of black authorship has encouraged many playwrights, poets and fiction authors into publication.
Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2018
PETER SINGER - Ethics in the real world
The pale blue dot at the hinge of history - this is a description of our Earth that places it both geographically in the cosmos and historically at a tipping point. We are the only life at our part of the galaxy- where is everyone else? The fundamental fragility of our position and the sheer unlikelyhood of our existence on this planet should make all of us rise up and rail against those who would imperil this beautiful , lonely world.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2024
SEBASTIAN SMEE - The Art of Rivalry
It should be no surprise to learn that artists influence each other, but it is fascinating to learn to what extent and how this has shaped the last 200 years of what we view in our galleries.
Recorded at the Sydney Writers Festival 2017
PETE SMITH - Quantum Consciousness
What is reality? Do you believe that science has all the answers, or do you think that intuition, feelings , near death experiences have been understudied by science and left to to religion to explain? Are we all connected - even inanimate objects by our very sub atomic construction? Pete Smith has made these questions his life's study.
Recorded at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival 2022
MEGAN STACK - Women's Work
Megan Stack, celebrated war correspondent, becomes a mother and starts to work from home - with help. So she starts to think about the women who are helping her to achieve her aims and dreams, who helps them? What is 'women's work'? what is 'men's work'? Can women the world over ever achieve their full potential if they are constantly fulfilling the expectation of a domestic role?
Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2019
V
Bowerbird
Alana Valentine is a celebrated playwright and writer who developed an acute appreciation of the quality of sound and the value of listening from a very young age. This has made her chosen career path as a radio National interviewer and writer and playwright highly successful. This book is invaluable if writing of any kind is your chosen vocation, but is also highly entertaining and insightful for the rest of us and and a good reminder of the importance of paying attention to the aural world around us.
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
W
CHELSEA WATEGO - Another Day in the Colony
This read is from a collection of essays which examine the ongoing and daily racism faced by First Nations peoples. It starts with a personal recollection of grief that expands to expound on a collective, ongoing grief of the loss of country.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
ASHLEIGH WILSON - Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the other Thing.
In this moving extract Ashleigh writes an account of Brett Whitely using his art to help him cope with the unthinkable – the loss of his friend the artist Joel Elenberg.