I know, I know, it’s been ages since I posted anything, not for lack of want or stories. I have been busy on various projects, and here is one of the most important.
Inspired by the US Adoptee Litfest, which was brought to my attention by a fellow blogger (thank you), I am part of a group who will launch the Inaugural:
Australian Adoption Literary Festival
This will be conducted online to make it available Australia-wide, and international for those whose time-zone suits. Furthermore, it is FREE.
The November timing is significant. This is Adoption Awareness Month, a media space that is usually consumed by Deborra-Lee Furness and her group Adopt Change. By holding the festival in the same month, we are seeking to bring lived voices and experience both to the adoption community and a wider audience.
There will be four sequential panels: Mixed Genre, A Mother and Daughter reunion, Mothers, and Adoptees. Following the festival, a writer’s workshop will be held online on Sunday 26th November, led by Jan Cornall, of The Writer’s Journey. I know and recommended Jan, as her mix of gentleness and meditation-guided writing will be a good match for those affected by adoption, who are trying to express themselves through writing (tears coming to my eyes as I write that).
All the details can be found here (benevolent.org.au/campaigns/adoption-literary-festival).
Please feel free to spread the word.
And many thanks to fellow blogger, Derrick J. Knight who submitted sketches for the logo. They were fabulous, but in the end, this was the final decision.
The Reluctant Retiree 
What a wonderful project, Gwen. I am sure it is consuming most of your time and energy. Good luck. I hope it will be everything and more than what you hope it to be.
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Life is always busy Jolandi, and this is one of a number of projects that have had me tied up in recent months – but yes! Let’s see how this inaugural one takes off. There are already speakers wishing to be featured next year. Adoptees, in particular, are now wanting their voices heard.
By the way we are in Lightning Ridge now. Black Opal country. I’m sure you’d be intrigued by the landscape.
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Looking forward to a blog post and some pictures about Lightning Ridge, Gwen. I had a quick peep on Google, and it looks intriguing.
How wonderful that you already have interest for next year, even before this year´s event. That is a great sign, and also an indication for the need of such an event. Wishing you the best of luck for getting everything ready.
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Now we’re in Cobar – mining town – gold and copper. So many posts waiting to be written and illustrated!
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All good news! Good luck, Gwen! Hopefully it will be recorded.
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Happy to confirm the words has come through that it will be recorded. I’ll let people know when it’s available.
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Good Luck. You’ve put together a packed programme of events, each sounds equally interesting. Will it be recorded for those of us in a different time zone?
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Good question. I’ll check that.
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Such a worthy cause, Gwendoline, that we have no choice but to forgive you for being absent.
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Thank you GP. It will be interesting to see how it goes over.
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Well done, Gwen. And thanks for the mention
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You’re welcome Derrick, and thanks for your input.
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Well done Gwen. Glad something so close to your heart is getting.off the ground. GOOD LUCK!!!
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Thank you JoJo,
As usual, it is something I tumbled into before realising how complicated it would get, but I am VERY glad it is going ahead on our original deadline. It will be interesting to see the initial response and whether it will grow to be an annual event. Xx Gwen
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I hope this turns out as well as you could wish. I can still see and hear the face of a girlfriend of mine who was explaining her life as an adoptee: “But I don’t know who I am.”
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Exactly. Everyone likes to see themselves “mirrored” in another person. For adoptees, it is a blank sheet.
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Great project, Gwen. Best of luck.
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Thank you. It’s been a lot of hard work to bring it to fruition. I’m sure you know ALL about that! Honestly, I didn’t think it would get off the ground this year.
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