By Melanie Cooper
In the lead up to the Henry Lawson Festival on the June long weekend, former Grenfell girl and Australian novelist, Inga Simpson, will be running a nature writing workshop, organised by Weddin Landcare, at Patina Gallery on Thursday 5 June.
“We’re really excited to have Inga return to Grenfell as part of the Henry Lawson Festival Program in 2025,” said Claire Diprose, Local Landcare Coordinator for Weddin Landcare.
“Inga has a unique way of entwining environmental and natural themes into her writing, delivering important messages while telling terrific stories,” Claire said.
Inga Simpson, who was the official guest for the Henry Lawson Festival in 2019, grew up in Grenfell and began her career as a professional writer for the government before gaining a PhD in creative writing and a second PhD in English literature. Inga’s first novel, Mr Wigg, was published in 2013 and since then, Inga has published another seven books along with numerous short stories and essays.
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Inga regularly runs nature writing workshops and participates in Writers Festivals around the country.
“Inga has a wealth of experience and participants will get a lot of value out of her workshop,” Claire said.
The workshop will be held at Kathleen McCue’s Patina Gallery on the Gooloogong Road from 9am to 4pm on Thursday 5 June.
“Surrounded by nature at Patina Gallery, participants are in for an inspiring day, gaining a stronger sense of nature writing and building a practical toolkit to achieve their creative goals,” Claire said.
“Connecting humans with nature through storytelling has been happening throughout our history, with our First Nations people relaying important knowledge through told stories along with visual arts and dance,” Claire said.
Writers of all levels, 12 years and older, are welcome and no prior experience is necessary. The cost of the workshop is $25 ($10 for high-school students) and bookings are essential. Places are limited so head to weddinlandcare.com.au/nature-writing-workshop to secure your tickets!
