General News
4 July, 2024
Success on the books
Last week’s Words in Winter festival, much like a bestseller, was a local hit — and is expected to inspire a love for “storytelling in the community” well into the future. Held over the weekend on June 29 and 30, The Advertiser’s editor...
Last week’s Words in Winter festival, much like a bestseller, was a local hit — and is expected to inspire a love for “storytelling in the community” well into the future.
Held over the weekend on June 29 and 30, The Advertiser’s editor Riley Upton launched the event on Friday night, in the midst of an eager crowd.
Alongside the return of the festival, attendees also celebrated another milestone — the launch of the Central Goldfields Words in Winter Strategic Plan 2025-2027.
The document sets out the goals of the event for its future editions, and elaborates on pathways to achieve continued successful outcomes.
According to co-coordinator Janice Simpson, the strategy builds on the triumph of the 2024 program.
“It was a fantastic event, we had close to 80 people on both days,” she said.
“Our sessions and panels were well-attended and the discussions were very interesting.
“I am very happy with how everything went and we’re using it as a [benchmark] to plan future events.”
With visitors coming into Maryborough from surrounding towns as well as from those further away, Ms Simpson said one could not overlook the profits reaped through the event.
“This festival is so important for the community,” she said.
“I think the event probably added around $8000 into the local economy.
“Out of all the people who were in attendance, some stayed overnight in the town, we paid for the accommodation for some of our panelists, we paid the Highland Society for lunch, and others shopped, ate and spent a whole day in Maryborough.”
The event’s strategic plan lists out ways to capitalise on this local impact — with the values of “curiosity, courage, knowledge, learning and understanding” central in fleshing out the full benefits of Words in Winter.
Based on those values, some of the goals for future events are:
Encouraging conversations about the world in which we live and bring ideas and fresh perspectives to the area.
Promote a love for reading, writing, literature and storytelling in the community.
Boost the Central Goldfields Shire’s reputation and Maryborough’s brand as a vibrant centre for arts and culture.
Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Increase visitation to the shire and stimulate the local economy.
“The strategic plan will allow us to obtain grants and sponsors,” Ms Simpson said.
“At the moment we are a miniscule organisation but this plan reflects an incredible opportunity to grow.”
