Take the first step toward writing the book only you can write

Southern Cross University is proud to partner with Byron Writers Festival to ignite bold ideas, inspire meaningful conversations, and explore the stories shaping our future.

Crowd surround stage where three panelist discuss at Byron Writers Festival

Proud partner of Byron Writers Festival

As a founding partner and exclusive education partner, Southern Cross University’s relationship with Byron Writers Festival has grown from a shared commitment to storytelling, ideas and community into a lasting collaboration grounded in creativity and place. Southern Cross University has played an important role in supporting one of Australia's leading regional literary festivals. Together, we have created opportunities for writers, researchers, artists and audiences to connect, challenge and inspire perspectives, and amplify voices from our region and beyond.

What began as a local cultural event has grown into a nationally recognised festival, while remaining deeply connected to the Northern Rivers and the people who call it home. Through a shared commitment to creativity, education and community engagement, our partnership continues to foster curiosity, critical thinking and lifelong learning.

Beyond the festival stage, Southern Cross University supports initiatives that inspire the next generation of storytellers, including the Future Writers Festival and the Southern Cross University Student Writing Prize. These programs provide opportunities for young people across the region to develop their creative voices and explore future pathways in writing and the creative industries.

As we celebrate 30 years of partnership, we congratulate the Byron Writers Festival team on this remarkable milestone and look forward to continuing to support the stories, ideas and conversations that shape our future.

Join us at Byron Writers Festival

Explore new ideas, discover emerging voices and connect with some of Australia's most celebrated writers and thinkers.

As a proud partner of Byron Writer Festival, Southern Cross University invites you to experience three days of storytelling, curiosity and conversation in the heart of the Northern Rivers. Places are limited, so register now to be part of it.

Start writing the book only you can write

Take the first step toward writing the book only you can tell with a 1:1 session at this year's Byron Writers Festival led by published author and Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University, Dr Aidan Coleman.

Available sessions (20 minutes duration):

Saturday 15 August, from 11.00am - 2.20 pm
Sunday 16 August, from 11.40am - 2.20pm

Sessions featuring Southern Cross University academics on stage

Where We Swim

Stage: Bay St Stage

Date & Time: Friday 14 August,
10:30am – 11:30am

Writers: Ingrid Horrocka, Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, Chair Sarah Ndaiye

Join celebrated NZ writer and swimmer Ingrid Horrocks and scientist Amanda Reichelt-Brushett for a compelling dicussion of where we swim and what it means to live among other animals on a watery planet. With Byron Shire Mayor and daily swimmer Sarah Ndaiye.

Free event

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Learning from Ancestral Wisdom

Stage: Byron Theatre

Date & Time: Friday 14 August,
3:00pm – 4:00pm

Writers: Victor Steffensen in conversation with Kylie Day

Victor Steffensen (Firesticks Alliance) offers a positive pathway for healing the planet based on traditional Indigenous knowledge systems with his new book The Knowledge: Learning from ancestral wisdom to save our changing global environment, the follow-up to the bestselling Fire Country. With Kylie Day.

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Dharawal woman and Indigenous research academic Kylie Day

After Authoritarianism

Stage: Haven Gallery

Date & Time: Saturday 15 August,
9:00am – 10:00am

Writers: Julio Carrasco, Julianne Schultz, Marika Sosnowski, Chair David Heilpern

Across the world, far-right and authoritarian regimes are in flux. From the United States to Hungary, Syria to Chile, some have risen and others have fallen. But what comes after and what is the role of the writer? Explore regimes, rebellion and rebuilding with Julio Carrasco, Julianne Schultz, Marika Sosnowski and chair David Heilpern.

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Dean of Law, Associate Professor David Heilpern

Fighting Fossil Fuels

Stage: Beach Hotel

Date & Time: Saturday 15 August,
10:15am – 11:15am

Writers: Richard Denniss, Ben Roche, Marian Wilkinson, Chair Isabelle Reinecke

Amid global fuel shocks and renewed climate denialism, join Richard Denniss, Ben Roche and Marian Wilkinson for an informed and hopeful discussion about what it will take to end our fossil fuel dependence, and the political and industrial forces at play. With Isabelle Reinecke.

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Bees & Biodiversity

Stage: Market Stage

Date & Time: Saturday 15 August,
11:00am – 11:45am

Writers: Cedar Anderson, Stuart Anderson, Anneliese Austin, Chair Leila McKinnon

Join Flow Hive’s Cedar Anderson and Stuart Anderson, and bee expert and postdoctoral researcher Anneliese Austin as they explore the fascinating world of bees, inventive approaches to beekeeping, and the vital role pollinators play in sustaining biodiversity, agriculture and our environment. With want-to-bee beekeeper Leila McKinnon.

Free event

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Anneliese Austin, environmental science student

Writing Climate

Stage: Wategos Room

Date & Time: Saturday 15 August,
4:00pm – 5:00pm

Writers: Romy Ash, Dakota Feirer, Mark Smith, Chair David Heilpern

From literary fiction, to crime and poetry, climate and the environment permeates storytelling as an intrinsic experience of our world. Explore how three diverse writers imagine climate and our collective future. With David Heilpern.

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Woman smling at camera while writing in a book

Your next chapter starts here

Become a teacher and a creative writer

At Southern Cross University, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and education. Whether you dream of inspiring future generations as a teacher or crafting compelling narratives as a writer, our degrees in Education and Arts offer the perfect foundation.

Learn from passionate educators and published authors, gain hands-on experience at events like the Byron Writers Festival, and become part of a vibrant, creative and academic community. With flexible study options and a strong focus on real-world learning, now is the time to turn your passion into purpose. Start your next chapter today—where creativity meets impact.

Learn more

For any questions, contact our partnerships team:

partnerships@scu.edu.au