Nedd Brockmann keynote speaker for Whitsunday Voices 2025

He raised millions for homelessness and captured the hearts of Australians running nearly 4000km in 47 days, and now Nedd Brockmann will be inspiring Mackay with his story.

Mayor Greg Williamson and Whitsunday Anglican School Principal Andrew Wheaton welcomed the 21st annual Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival. Photo: Luke Lay

Aussie icon Nedd Brockmann will headline this year’s 21st youth literature festival as organisers prepare for thousands to attend.

The Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival will return July 17 to 18 with more than 80 events hosting an expected 7500 students from across the region.

This year’s mascots, Word Boy and Word Girl. Photo: Luke Lay

After stealing the hearts of Australia when he ran 4000 km from Perth to Sydney to raise money for homelessness, Nedd Brockmann will take the stage as this year’s keynote speaker at the DBI Literary Dinner on Friday July 18 to unpack the challenges he faced during the mammoth run.

Festival Manager Liz Russell said this year’s headline “will be an absolute hit”.

“He brings a different flavour than you would expect at a literature festival,” she said.

“But he comes with a powerful message that aligns beautifully with Mackay.”

Festival Manager Liz Russell spoke at the festival’s launch which will featuring an exciting line-up of authors, artists, scientists, storytellers, slam poets and musicians. Photo: Luke Lay

Among the star studded line up are international New York Times bestseller Amie Kaufman, Mackay-born international best-selling author and illustrator Katherine Battersby and Kate and Jol Temple, authors of the smash hit Bin Chicken series.

Members of the Winchester Foundation attended the launch as a festival partner for years sponsoring students from regional and rural communities in their education. Photo: Luke Lay

Beginning as a small local festival in Mackay in 2004, Whitsunday Voices has grown to become a key point in the calendar for students stretching from Townsville, to Rockhampton and to Emerald landing itself its first events attraction fund from the Mackay Regional Council.

Mayor Greg Williamson, who spoke to the over 100 guests who attended the festival launch at Whitsunday Anglican School on Wednesday, said he would like to see more sponsorships into the future.

Guest speaker and Mackay local Kim Kleidon hopes her early childhood books can empower the next generation to be creative and curious. Photo: Luke Lay

“As the festival has grown it’s become not just a Mackay based festival but now we’re seeing people come into Mackay from all over the region,” he said.

“That’s why they qualified this year and that’s why it just keeps on growing.

“The authors that do come absolutely love it … it’s a fabulous event.”

Festival Manager, Liz Russell with Major Sponsor Daly Bay representatives Jordan Cullen and Sharon Johnston. Daly Bay have been sponsors of the Festival for 12 years.