What do literary festivals and writers’ festivals have in common with the ABC? They all want to promote Australian culture and Australian talent. It’s no surprise that at any literary and writers’ festivals across Australia you will find ABC personalities as authors and presenters. People who read and appreciate literature also appreciate our independent national broadcaster.
ABC Friends Western Melbourne has had stalls on two previous occasions at the premier literary event in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, the Williamstown Literary Festival, affectionately known as the Willy Lit Fest. This year we are showing our support by sponsoring a presentation by Matthew Ricketson on the book he co-authored with Patrick Mullins titled Who Needs the ABC? This book provides an historic overview of the development of the ABC since its inception in 1932. It also provides an accurate analysis of the budget cuts suffered by our national broadcaster in the last ten years. The authors mount a spirited defence of the ABC and its role in our participatory democracy and calls on government for much needed budgetary repair.
The Willy Lit Fest runs from Friday the 16th, Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June. With over forty events including new book launches, musical events, and activities for children the 20th Willy Lit Fest is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before.
Go to willylitfest.org.au to see the program and buy your tickets early for a bargain price.
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