Monash alumni on show at writers' festival

August 2007

Alumnus and author Max Barry

Monash University alumni and staff will feature at the The Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival 2007 in late August.

Monash alumni to present at the festival include children’s author Andy Griffiths (BA(Hons) 1985), former editor-in-chief of The Age Michael Gawenda (BEc 1969), satirical novelist Max Barry (BBus(Mktg) 1994) and barrister and humanitarian Julian Burnside QC (BEc 1972, LLB 1973).

Alumni will share their thoughts across a variety of subjects. Mr Griffiths will join other children’s authors to read his popular books aloud at ‘The big family read’. Mr Gawenda will examine the media and how it determines public interest in ‘Mediacrity’. Mr Barry will invite discussion on his latest satirical novel about American corporate culture, Company, in ‘Festival Bookclub – Company’. In a session bound to be well-attended, Mr Burnside will discuss the importance of human rights in the formation of laws and policy in ‘The rights of a man’.

Monash staff members will also present at the festival, including linguist Professor Kate Burridge and history expert Professor Bill Kent.

Other graduates to feature at the festival include human rights expert Ms Jessie Taylor (LLB(Hons) 2007, BA(Hons) 2007), Dean of Monash’s Faculty of Law Professor Arie Freiberg (LLM 1984), associate editor at The Age Mr Shaun Carney (BA 1978), history lecturer Dr Carolyn James (BA(Hons) 1977), biographer Dr Brenda Niall AO (PhD 1988, HonDLitt 2005) and forensic writer Ms Liz Porter (BA(Hons) 1973).

Monash University is an educational sponsor of the festival, held at various inner Melbourne venues between Friday 24 August and Sunday 2 September. The University is directly supporting the shows: ‘Between the sheets’ on Saturday 25 August; ‘People like us - Waleed Aly’ on Sunday 26 August; and ‘Frequent course language’ on Friday 31 August.

Links:

The Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival
'Monash staff part of Melbourne Writers' Festival' - Monash Memo article

Max Barry profiled in Monash Magazine
Jessie Taylor profiled in Monash Alumni eNews
Julian Burnside QC - prominent alumni profile