Saroo Brierley’s impossible dream a crescendo to moving week of literature inspiration

The author of a true story inspiring Hollywood blockbuster Lion shares his story of grit and determination closing off the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.

Burnt student desks, 400 adults singing an Indigenous welcome-to-country and an almost impossible tale spanning two continents were the crescendo to a literature-inspired week.

It was a mixture of laugh-out-loud funny and remarkable awe as hundreds gathered under a festoon-lit ceiling at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre for the final event of the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.

Indigenous storyteller Gregg Dreise warmed the audience as he delivered a rap twist on a traditional welcome to country, as the room eagerly responded with corresponding dance moves.

The room was whimsically decorated at the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Workpac Literary Dinner, providing the perfect backdrop for literary inspiration. Picture: Heidi Petith

And as special guest for the Workpac Literary Dinner, A Long Way Home author Saroo Brierley shared his “identity crisis” inspiring the six-time Oscar-nominated film Lion.

As a five year old in India accidentally separated from his mother and brother after he boarded a train, Brierley was adopted by Australian parents and whisked across the ocean following desperately trying but failing to reunite with his family.

Brierley said a melancholy festered in his teenage years as he yearned to find his birth mother no matter the almost impossible odds, the dream realised at 26 after more than five long years of searching thanks to then newly released Google Earth technology.

The author said he chronicled his journey of sheer grit, hope and determination to empower and educate others.

Author Saroo Brierley and Slade Point State School principal Julia Shaw at the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Workpac Literary Dinner. Picture: Heidi Petith

“Sometimes taking the wrong train can you lead you to the right station,” Brierley said.

For event manager Tracey Gurdler, her first year at the Whitsunday Anglican School festival’s helm was inspired by her children and a passion to expand student’s horizons.

“We’re stuck in a middle of a pandemic, if you ever needed to escape anything, it’s now,” Ms Gurdler said.

Ms Gurdler said it was great to see the Mackay community support a festival enabling authors and presenters to spark children's love for reading and expand their vocabulary.

“A lot of these kids that are sitting in the audience hate books and they get dragged along by their teachers because their teachers know what’s about to happen,” she said.

“It’s so rewarding.”

Author Yvonne Mes. Picture: Heidi Petith

One such author and illustrator was Yvonne Mes.

Author of books including Meet Sidney Nolan and Little Bilby’s Aussie Bush Christmas, Mes said the students made her feel like a rock star with one kindergartener insisting to hold her hand.

“Imagination is my superpower and I shared it with them,” Mes said, adding the kids were in awe to learn about her pet dolphin, albeit pretend.

Whitsunday Anglican School principal Andrew Wheaton with wife Merryl Wheaton, special guest and author Saroo Brierley, Annette Williamson with husband and Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson at the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Workpac Literary Dinner. Picture: Cherrie Hughes Social Media and Photography

Whitsunday Anglican School Trinity head of house David Cameron said the Surfing Scientist, aka Ruben Meerman, had the children in hysterics during his presentation.

“He’s a bit of a daredevil, he likes fire, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, he burnt the desk, he needs to stop burning things. These were all said by different students at different times,” Mr Cameron said as the event’s MC, which was met with plenty of giggles among the audience.

And in true testament to the festival’s far-reaching inspiration, councillors, academics, and every profession in-between was represented at the gala including Calen principal of 21 years Brian O’Neill.

“The whole festival is a really great way of providing that bit extra and exciting stimulus for those students who have a love of literature and creative writing,” Mr O’Neill said.