The Sorrento Writers Festival is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
• Where required or authorised by law.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Security Capabilities and Policy for Transmission of Payment Card Details

The Sorrento Writers Festival website is implemented by I-Nex and ticketing, subscriptions and donations are powered by ArtFuel. To ensure the security of your credit card transaction our site uses encryption software. 

Your credit card information is handled by our payment provider Stripe and it is not stored or exposed to any Sorrento Writers Festival systems at any time.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

The Sorrento Writers Festival will not charge any fee for your access request  but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:

Sorrento Writers Festival Inc 
ABN 20 955 969 821
PO Box 277
Sorrento
Victoria, Australia 3943
Email: [email protected]

For individual session holders: If a patron cancels a booking at least four weeks prior to the event, Sorrento Writers Festival will refund the ticket price in full. If a patron cancels a booking between four and two weeks prior to the event, a cancellation fee of 20% of the individual ticket price will apply. If a patron cancels a booking within 14 days prior to the event, no refund will be offered. 

Should Sorrento Writers Festival be required to cancel the event, full refunds will apply to all patrons.

Early Bird and Day Pass tickets: these tickets are non-refundable and all sales are final once payment has been made. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]

In the event of a disputed transaction, or an error in the amount of the transaction please contact Laura Macdonald [email protected] or [email protected]

Donations online are non-refundable. The currency of all transactions will be made only in Australian dollars.

You will receive your tickets by email. Please ensure your ticket information is on your phone or printed out on the day/s of your Festival visit.

Some events book out early, especially in smaller venues. If an event is sold out ahead of your order, your name can be added to a waiting list and we will endeavour to contact you if tickets become available before the event.  

A limited number of free tickets will be available to persons under 25 years of age who are full-time students. These tickets will become available in early April. Please note: there are no other concessions available, but the Festival does remind patrons we have several free events available.

All details in the Festival program brochure and on this website are correct at the time of printing or uploading. The Festival reserves the right to cancel and/or change details of events, speakers, programs and venues without notice. 

Photography and Recording

Photography, audio recording, and video recording may be prohibited during certain events at the Sorrento Writers Festival. Participants must obtain permission from Sorrento Writers Festival and any individuals involved before capturing or sharing any content from festival events.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, Sorrento Writers Festival and/or its licensors own the intellectual property rights for all material presented during the festival, including but not limited to presentations, workshops, and readings. All intellectual property rights are reserved. You may not reproduce, duplicate, distribute, or use any materials from Sorrento Writers Festival without prior written consent.

Access and Inclusion

Sorrento Writers Festival is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. The Sorrento Writers Festival recognises that under Federal legislation, it is unlawful to discriminate against someone based on their disability or treat a person with a disability less favourably than a person who does not have a disability. As such we endeavour to ensure that all patrons of the Festival have access to the full program of events and we work closely with our venues to ensure seating options are available for all needs. To discuss your needs please contact us.

Conduct at the Festival

The Sorrento Writers Festival strives to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees, and your cooperation is essential in achieving this goal. By attending the Sorrento Writers Festival, you agree to conduct yourself in a respectful and considerate manner towards fellow attendees, staff, speakers, and property. Any behaviour deemed disruptive, discriminatory, harmful, or offensive by the Sorrento Writers Festival organisers may result in immediate removal from the Festival and/or banning from future events without refund. The Sorrento Writers Festival reserves the right to refuse entry to any person that fails to comply with the Festival terms and conditions, or that the Festival organisers otherwise considers to be

Disclaimer:

Sorrento Writers Festival, its members, organisers, sponsors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any damages, injuries, or losses incurred by participants during festival events. Participation in events is at your own risk.

If you have any queries or complaints about our terms and conditions please contact us at: 

 Sorrento Writers Festival Inc  
ABN 20 955 969 821
PO BOX 277 Sorrento,Victoria, 3843
[email protected]