Create. Connect. Whitsunday

Some of the Festival’s volunteers. L-R: Julia Evans, Rick Brown, Cait Fleming, Trish Jandt, Jannah Baker, Alicia Mulchay, Rachael Smith & Richard Evans

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Community Spirit Shines at Whitsunday Writers Festival

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By Richard Evans, President, Whitsundays Writers Festival  

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Very strong community is built, in part, by people willing to give their time, skills and goodwill.  

From sporting clubs and service organisations to festivals, schools and charities, volunteers are vital to the life of the Whitsundays. Their quiet, generous work keeps community life moving, often without seeking recognition.  

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Volunteering is also facing challenges across Australia, with many community organisations having trouble attracting and retaining volunteers as people juggle work, family, caring responsibilities, and increasingly busy lives. At the same time, volunteers remain essential to the delivery of community, arts and cultural activities.  

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This spirit is on full display at the Whitsundays Writers Festival, where a dedicated team of volunteers are the backbone of the event. They create strategy, provide program input, welcome attendees, assist authors and presenters, set up venues, and help everything run smoothly and to time.

Volunteers bring local knowledge, patience and enthusiasm, helping turn a program of events into a true community celebration. In return, they can meet new people, develop skills and gain valuable experience in writing, publishing, events, arts and community development.

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Perhaps most importantly, volunteering creates opportunities to be part of something bigger than ourselves.  

A conversation with a visitor, helping someone, welcoming an author, or solving an unexpected problem might seem like a small contribution. Collectively, however, these moments create the experience people remember.  

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Our Writers Festival brings together readers, writers, locals, visitors and local businesses, and it is volunteers who help make those connections inclusive, welcoming and memorable.  

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As a regional festival, we are particularly grateful to the people who choose to invest their time and skills in making it happen. Their contribution demonstrates that culture is not simply something a community consumes: it is something a community creates together.  

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So, to our wonderful volunteers: Thank you for helping turn an idea on a page into a festival that people can experience, enjoy and share.  

Our team includes Alicia Mulchay, Cait Fleming, Gail and John Glanville, Jannah Baker, Mark Henry, Rachael Smith, Rick Brown, Sue Birch, Trish Jandt, and our Whitsundays Literary Heart Award judging panel.  

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They are the people behind the scenes helping bring the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival to life – and we are very grateful to have them with us.  

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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival  
When:  Sunday 13th September 2026  
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club
Learn more: www.whitsundayswriters.com  

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Celebrating local creativity, connection, and community  

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Whitsundays Writers Festival  
Richard Evans  
Festival Director and President  
hello@whitsundayswriters.com  

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Book your ticket now for the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 13 September at whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers  

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Creative Connections Whitsunday  
Glenda Brown  
President  
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com  

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Creative Connections Whitsundays supports and celebrates the region's arts community by creating opportunities for artists to connect, exhibit, learn, and thrive through partnerships, cultural events, and creative programs.  

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Get in touch!  
If you would like to submit a poem, creative writing piece, profile suggestion, event information, or share your creative story, please contact hello@whitsundayswriters.com  

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Give Dad The Gift Of Local Art This Father’s Day

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Looking for something a little different for Dad this Father’s Day? Why not give him the gift of choice — and support a local artist at the same time?  

A Creative Connections Whitsundays Community Gallery Gift Card lets Dad choose something he genuinely loves from the Gallery’s collection of locally created artworks and handmade gifts.  

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From original paintings and photography to prints, ceramics, jewellery and unique handcrafted pieces, there’s something to suit every taste. Whether Dad is an art lover, appreciates quality craftsmanship or simply enjoys discovering something a little different, a Gallery gift card gives him the opportunity to choose his own special piece.  

The gift also comes with a local story. Every purchase from the Community Gallery helps support Whitsundays artists and provides opportunities for local creatives to showcase and sell their work.  

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For those who are difficult to buy for, it’s a simple and thoughtful option — and one that gives Dad the pleasure of choosing something for himself.  

Give Dad the gift of local art this Father’s Day.  

Gift cards are available from the Community Gallery, Proserpine.  

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Community Gallery  
192 Main Street, Proserpine  
Monday–Friday: 9am–4pm  
Saturday: 9am–1pm  

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Celebrating the Volunteers Behind Creative Connections Whitsundays  

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By Glenda Brown, President, Creative Connections Whitsunday  

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A thriving creative community doesn’t happen by accident. Behind every exhibition, Creative Day and welcoming Gallery door are volunteers who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to make it possible.  

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This month, Creative Connections Whitsundays is celebrating two of the people helping build that community: Shirley Wodson and Lucy Seddon Brown.  

Every fortnight, Shirley coordinates CCW’s free Creative Days, creating a relaxed and welcoming space where artists and aspiring artists can meet, connect and create together. Participants can bring along their own projects, try something new, share ideasand learn more about the Gallery, exhibitions and opportunities available through CCW.  

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With her background in education, Shirley also brings valuable experience to developing activities and learning opportunities for the group. Her contribution is helping Creative Days become a regular opportunity for people to explore their creativity while building connections with others.  

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Lucy Seddon Brown is another familiar face helping the Community Gallery grow. A professional Whitsundays photographer, Lucy combines her passion for photography with an enthusiasm for painting, drawing and mixed media.  

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As CCW’s Community Coordinator, Lucy has been actively promoting the Gallery to local businesses and visitors, encouraging new volunteers to get involved and helping raise awareness of the opportunities available to local artists. She also generously contributes her photography skills to Gallery events, with one of her own photographs already finding a new home through the Gallery.  

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For both Shirley and Lucy, volunteering is about more than helping with individual activities. It is about creating opportunities for artists to connect, share their work and grow together.  

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Their time, creativity and community spirit are helping make Creative Connections Whitsundays a more welcoming and connected place for everyone.  

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