Contributors and Testimonials

Thanks to all who contributed to the 2021 LitFest.

Thanks

Many thanks also to all who have contributed their energy, time and skills towards the success of this event. LitFest would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the Headmaster, Council of Newington College and the Parents and Friends Associations.

"There’s something dynamic that goes on with the Newington Literature Festival. There’s a pervasive feeling of creative ‘critical mass’ where we’re all challenged to think a little more deeply, broadly and incisively about the lives we lead. And we laugh. A lot."

- Scot Gardner

Testimonials from 2021

Testimonials from the 2021 Newington College LitFest from our acclaimed author guests including Martin Chatterton, James Knight, Susanne Gervay, Scot Gardner, Christopher Richardson, Tristan Bancks, and Kate Forsyth.

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Testimonials from 2017

Testimonials from the 2017 Newington College LitFest from our acclaimed author guests including James Moloney, Susanne Gervay, James Knight and Christopher Richardson.

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Testimonials from 2015

Newington College hosted its first LitFest in 2001. Over its lifetime, the Festival has hosted many well-known Australian authors, illustrators, poets and playwrights; including Isobel Carmody, Morris Gleitzman, Andrew Daddo and Gabrielle Lord.

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Committee

  • Ann Jagger – Teacher Librarian, Senior Library (Festival Coordinator)
  • Nicole Aradas – Specialist Collections & Systems Librarian, Senior Library (Assistant Festival Coordinator)
  • Joanne Barnes – Librarian, Wyvern House (Wyvern Festival Coordinator)
  • Pascal Czerwenka – Deputy Head of Lindfield Preparatory School (Lindfield Festival Coordinator)
  • Michael Parker – Headmaster
  • Amy van Arkkels – Deputy Teaching & Learning (K-12)
  • Jeremy Hall – Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Jeremy Green – Assistant Head of English
  • James Grindrod – English Teacher
  • Michael Marokakis – Head of English
  • Linda Munns-Conry – Head of Library

"In every one of the eleven sessions I conducted I found the boys engaged, focused and receptive. The questions the students asked showed that there is a growing appreciation of both the craft of writing and the power of literature to inform, entertain and, at times, to transform the way we approach issues of social justice and human rights."

- Arnold Zable

Acknowledgements

  • Parents and Friends Association, Stanmore
  • Parents and Friends Association, Wyvern
  • Parents and Friends Association, Lindfield
  • Chartwells Catering
  • Lindsay Raven for his help with timetabling
  • English Department for their wonderful help and support
  • The many student volunteers: the author buddies, the PostScript journalists and photographers
  • The volunteer mothers who dedicate their time to look after our authors during their downtime
  • Newington College ICT department for their organisation of all things electrical and electronic
  • FX Service Center
  • Rebecca Car and Erin O’Sullivan for their digital promotions

"As much as I loved speaking, I most enjoyed listening to the boys and young men who have the world at their feet. Rowers, footballers, potential university students; those with definite dreams, others shrugging their shoulders at tomorrow, and all facing the responsibility of leading the younger generations into the future. Good luck you blokes. I reckon we’re in good hands. "

- James Knight