- WA's largest annual regional literacy festival in Margaret River underway
- Cook Government's $26,085 funding supports Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival community program for children, young people
- Two weeks of free interactive and immersive storytelling and creative writing workshops for children and youth
Western Australia's largest annual regional literary festival, the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival (MRRWF), aims to foster a love of literature and the arts for the WA community.
Each year it includes a special focus on youth by providing free activities through the Children, Young People and Community Program that is held over two weeks alongside the festival program.
Delivered in collaboration with community organisations, local teachers, and WA authors, the Children, Young People and Community Program 2025 is supported through the Cook Government's Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program.
Touring primary and secondary schools, the program takes children's authors into schools to spark creativity, celebrate storytelling and foster a love of reading and writing.
This program includes free writing workshops with WA children's authors, a youth panel discussing key social issues, creative storytelling, interactive workshops exploring nature and conservation, as well as Wadandi Storytelling, and an Aboriginal story session featuring Noongar words for animals and nature being held in partnership with Undalup Association.
Soft play sessions will also include children's picture books and interactive activities for young children.
Arts Margaret River delivers the flagship annual MRRWF, which includes a three-day literary festival in Margaret River and a two-day literary event in Busselton which feature author talks, panel sessions, writers' workshops and networking events, cultural activities, art installations, performances and book launches.
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"Since its humble beginnings in 2009, the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival has grown substantially and now attracts local, national and international emerging and established writers and storytellers.
"Showcasing storytelling in all its forms, this festival is designed to foster a love of literature and the arts for all ages throughout the community, inspiring new ideas and conversations.
"By supporting these sorts of initiatives, the Cook Government is helping to ensure our communities benefit from the social and cultural experiences these events provide, and the economic outcomes they also provide for the region."
