ABOVE: Bronte

Leave behind your world-weariness and allow yourself to be enchanted at ‘Stories in the Club’, on Sunday, June 9, as members of Mullum Magic Toastmasters weave tales of life, transformation and wonder, from 4 pm at the Mullum Ex-Services Club. The tellers range in age and experience, but all are passionate to spin their tales and have been practicing avidly. You will hear short tales from Sam Johns, Shona Anderson, Lulu Starman, Bruce Long, Ashni Murdolo and Bronte Alexander.

Louise Harrison, President of Mullum Magic Toastmasters, as well as a beloved member of the Stories in the Club team, curated the tellers. Louise will MC, along with curator Jenni Cargill-Strong, and may tell a short story if there is time. Bronte Alexander is currently undertaking a PhD with a focus on forced migration and mobility. Her story ‘Little Lion’ reflects the pains and promises of dealing with anxiety in a life full of pressures. After Sam Johns sold his cocktail bar in Sydney’s northern beaches, he wondered what next? He then stumbled upon Agroforestry and now lives on a farm in Murwillumbah, learning how to farm the natural way and living his own ‘happy ever after’. Writer, performer and gardener Shona Anderson, who told a beautifully crafted story in 2017 at Stories in the Club, will tell ‘The woman who gave birth to rocks’. Lulu Starman loves living close to nature, surrounded by animals and she loves the way stories can reveal beautiful essential truths, which she hopes to convey in her tale, The Girl in the Tower. Bruce Long, will tell of his journey from being a conservative potato farmer in Gippsland, and moving to the Rainbow region to experience an alternative way of thinking and living. Longtime local and Italian teacher, Ashni Murdolo loves the wild nature here. Born in Melbourne to Italian parents, Ashni lived a dual life – an Australian out in the world, while living in a little Italy while at home. She will share the immigrant tale of love and destiny that her students so love to hear. Entry by suggested donation of $10. WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 4 pm – 5.30 pm WHERE: Mullum Ex-Services Club, Byron Shire, Australia COST: Suggested donation of $10. ABOVE: Louise, Sam, Shona, Lulu, Bruce

Australian Fairytale Society Conference 2022 Brisbane

Australian Fairytale Society Conference 2022 Brisbane

ABOVE: Selkie seal and woman, Painting by Jessica Shirley  On Monday I came back from a fantastical weekend in Brisbane, having attended the  Australian Fairytale Conference in Brisbane, run by the Australian Fairytale Society. On Sunday, I delighted in presenting a...

ReWilding Red Riding Hood

ReWilding Red Riding Hood

‘Little Red Riding Hood’ is one of the world’s most popular and oft retold folktales. Versions range from the moralistic version by Charles Perrault, the Grimms Brothers, simplistic watered-down picture books for preschoolers, to Disney films to erotic cartoons for...