2026 Festival

Speaker Profile

Liz Porter

Liz Porter is an Australian writer best known for her prize-winning books about “the real CSI” — the way forensic science is used to solve crime. She is also the author of Written on the Skin: an Australian forensic casebook, joint winner of the 2007 Ned Kelly award for the best true crime book and Cold Case Files, winner of Australian Sisters in Crime’s 2012 Davitt award for best true crime book. She is an open water swimmer and a member of a pop music choir. 

Can Grassroots Activism Change The Planet?

Sunday April 26
Ellen Grant Hall
12.00pm / 60 mins

Sarah Hamylton, Simon Holmes à Court and Tim Pilgrim and Liz Porter 

As more individuals and local communities address their own local-specific climate change challenges and find success, is this a time to rethink environment strategies? 


The Art of Telling True Stories: How creative non-fiction lifts our hearts and minds

Sunday April 26
Hotel Sorrento (Cooper Room)
3.00pm / 60 mins

Sean Kelly, Sarah Krasnostein, and Martin McKenzie-Murray with Liz Porter

Three esteemed non-fiction specilaists discuss how they distill stories from the world and the people around us, and turn them into entertaining and breathtaking prose, and amazing long-form journalism.