Indigenous award-winner Gregg Dreise to host educators’ forum at Whitsunday Voices festival

The author, storyteller, musician, artist and teacher will use humour and music to inspire teachers, librarians and parents to ‘reignite a love of learning’.

An award-winning, passionate author and artist is coming to Mackay to present a key event at Queensland’s largest literary festival north of the Sunshine Coast.

Gregg Dreise will inspire teachers, librarians and parents as he takes the helm at LitChat 2021 as part of the three-day Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival from July 14 to 16.

Festival manager Tracey Gurdler said the forum would provide tools for educators and parents to confidently create inclusive learning environments as well as give insight into cultural protocols and language.

“Gregg takes his audience on a journey to ancient cultures and stories,” Mrs Gurdler said.

“His passion for culture, music and storytelling is guaranteed to engage attendees and activate fresh ideas to develop literacy skills and inclusive reading practices, both in the classroom and at home.”

Dreise is a Kamilaroi and Euahlayi Nations descendant who loves sharing his Indigenous culture combined with themes of self-image, friendship and kindness.

He is the illustrator and author behind books including Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow and My Culture and Me.

The author, poet, musician, storyteller, teacher and artist said he hoped to reignite a love for learning through inclusive teaching and writing embedded with humour and music.

Tickets to the forum from 4-6pm on Thursday, July 15 cost $40 and can be booked online.

Dreise will also host a “highly entertaining presentation” for Year 3 to Year 8 students at the festival delighting students with musical instruments including his didgeridoo and guitar.

Other presenting authors include AJ Betts, Saroo Brierly, Andrew McDonald, Kim Kane, Yvonne Mes, Tristan Bancks, Will Kostakis, Anisa Nandaula, Gaye Chapman, Jacqueline Harvey, Queenie Chan and Ruben Meerman.

Head to the Whitsunday Voices for the full program.