2026 Festival

Speaker Profile

Kate Wild

Kate Wild is an investigative journalist whose work with distinguished teams at the ABC has been recognised with three Walkley Awards and a Logie. Her reports from Darwin, where she lived from 2010 to 2016, laid the groundwork for a Four Corners story on juvenile detention that prompted the calling of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. Her first book, Waiting for Elijah, was published in 2018 and her recent book, The Red House, was released in 2025.  

How Do Royal Commissions Work? And How Do We Assess Their Impact?

Friday April 24
Portsea Surf Life Saving Club
9.00am / 60 mins

Betty King, Jack Rush and Kate Wild with Jon Faine

As Australia prepares for the interim report  of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, our panel discuss the rules, responsibilities and outcomes of these important public inquiries.


When The Cover-Up Is Worse Than The Crime: Journalism 101

Saturday April 25
Portsea Village 2
1.00pm / 60 mins

John Silvester, Kate Wild and Marian Wilkinson with Madeleine Grummet

Democracy’s Frontline: Tales from investigative journalists who hold power to account

Saturday April 25
Sorrento Bowls Club
2.30pm / 60 mins

Monica Attard, Charlote Grieve and Kate Wild with Mark Kenny

Over their outstanding journalism careers, our three guests have exposed wrongdoings and bad behaviour - often at great personal cost. Join academic Mark Kenny as he explores the reporting journey of shining light in dark corners.