Mark your calendars for a truly inclusive literary celebration as the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival returns from July 17th & 18th, 2025, proudly supported by the Winchester Foundation. Since its inception in 2012 by Mrs. Beryl Neilsen OAM. The Beryl Neilsen Winchester Scholarships has been dedicated to creating educational opportunities for rural children. Since 2013, their partnership with the festival has been instrumental in fostering a love for literature within the wider Mackay-Isaac community.
Over the past 11 years, the collaborative efforts between Whitsunday Voices and the Winchester Foundation have touched the lives of over 4,000 rural children. These young minds journey from across the region to partake in the festival, drawn by its stellar lineup of presenters who ignite their imagination and curiosity for the world of literature. The infectious energy and joy exhibited by these children are the heart and soul of the Voices Festival, and the Winchester Foundation’s steadfast commitment to bringing the literary world to remote communities has made a lasting impression on their lives.
At the core of the Beryl Neilsen Winchester Scholarships lies the motto “Empowering Country Children Through Education.” This ethos drives their involvement with the 2024 Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival, which has been a beacon of educational opportunities for rural children over the past decade. The foundation’s unwavering dedication to this mission has significantly impacted the lives of these young readers.
Join us as we embark on another year of enriching experiences and empowering stories at the 2024 Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.