That Was Then, This Is Now: a literary event at Castlemaine Library

Local young adults and writers will come together on stage to discuss much loved modern classics that have made an impact on them, at an upcoming literary event at Castlemaine Library.

The event, titled That Was Then, This Is Now, features some of our outstanding local literary talent - multi-award winning writers Cate Kennedy, Ellie Marney and Robyn Annear, as well as experienced publisher Kristin Gill. They have been paired up with four local teens - Cohen Saunders, Abigail Meadows, Gryffin Winser and Rosa Carrington.

“We are so lucky to have all these amazing people in the Shire,” says Lisa D’Onofrio, literary activist and director of the Castlemaine Children’s Literature Festival. “Cate is well known for her short stories and novels, Ellie for her YA crime writing, Robyn for her historical non-fiction and Kristin has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years.”

The idea for this event came from Lisa D’Onofrio, who said she had recently re-read several classic books as part of the book groups she runs in prisons. “It occurred to me that many interesting conversations could be had by comparing your views when you first read a book, to those you have when you read it at a later and different stage of your life.”

Castlemaine Library manager, Jess Saunders, says she is excited by the prospect of different generations of readers coming together to discuss the impressions these classic books have had on them. “Books such as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Outsiders can be meaningful in such different ways, depending on your age and life experience” says Ms Saunders.

This partnership event, between the Castlemaine Library and the Castlemaine Children’s Literature Festival will take place on Thursday 8 November, from 5.30 – 6:30pm in the Phee Broadway Theatre. This is a free event, but bookings are essential and can be made by visiting www.goldfieldslibraries.com

That Was Then, This Is Now is supported by a Mount Alexander Shire Community Grant as well as the Regional Centre for Culture Program, a Victorian Government initiative in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and Mount Alexander Shire.