Writers' festival attracts record numbers
The Words on the Waves writers' festival had a record number of attendees at this year's fifth festival.
Festival director Ms Angela Bennetts said the festival recorded 6084 attendances this year, "up 20 per cent from 2024 which was also a record-breaking year".
"The attendance represents a 10 per cent increase in ticket sales overall, and included a sold out main program."
Ms Bennetts said: "Words on the Waves launched five years ago, fuelled by big dreams and a volunteer committee's worth of enthusiasm.
"Since then we've grown from four locations to 14 across the Central Coast; from 47 authors to over 100.
"Our audience numbers this year speak for themselves."
Ms Bennetts said festival highlights included the opening address at The Art House Wyong with Stan Grant, Hugh Mackay and Jan Fran; the inaugural poetry slam featuring veteran poet Maxine Beneba Clarke and locals Will Small and live artist Grant Molony; and a bustling free Family Fun Day in Umina's Peninsula Recreation Precinct with live illustrator battles, story time and roving performers.
"Since the beginning, Words on the Waves has been nurtured and propelled by a community that loves to read, and a community that believes in the power of community to create change.
"It was a deeply-felt pleasure to celebrate our fifth birthday with our biggest and most successful festival to date."
SOURCE:
Media release, 10 Jun 2025
Victoria Brown, Words on the Waves