International speaker, author and wellbeing educator Kemi Nekvapil is one of the headliners at the signature event for the Festival of Writers.
Echuca-Moama’s inaugural Festival of Stories is an ambitious celebration of the influence of words – written and spoken – and the impact they have on every aspect of our lives.
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Even the way individuals interpret each individual word.
Which is why the cornerstone event of this three-day program – running from October 16-18 – is an exploration of storytelling through the seasons.
And it will be built around international speaker, author and wellbeing educator Kemi Nekvapil and regenerative farmer, author and podcaster Jade Miles.
With well-known bookish moderator, author, awards judge, book editor and seller Jaclyn Crupi pulling it all together over a grazing-style lunch which champions seasonal and locally grown produce.
Festival co-organiser Suzy Shearer said learning how a deep connection to nature and the seasons can help us cultivate identity, wellbeing and belonging will be a central theme.
Suzy said the lunch will be held between Junction Restaurant and Wildergreen in the Moama Bowling Club from 12pm for a 12.30pm start on Sunday October 18.
“Headlining the lunch is the extraordinary Kemi Nekvapil, one of Australia’s leading coaches and wellness leaders,” Suzy explained.
“Kemi is a certified facilitator for Brenè Brown’s Dare to Lead program, and for The Hunger Project Australia,” she said.
“She's also a highly sought after international speaker, a flower farmer, and author of four brilliant books – Raw Beauty; The Gift of Asking; Power; and Grounded Success.
“You may have also heard Kemi in one of her many appearances on The Imperfects podcast, where she’s a regular coach to the Imperfects team.”
Joining Kemi is earth mother Jade Miles – author, podcaster, strategist and regenerative farmer.
Suzy said Jade is devoted to reweaving connections between people, place and food.
“Jade is the author of Futuresteading and Huddle, and her family grow biodiversity and belonging at their regenerative heritage orchard, Black Barn Farm.
“The farm doubles as a learning ground where community workshops, seasonal rituals and open-hearted conversations help rekindle relationship with land and food,” Suzy added.
Regenerative farmer, author and podcaster Jade Miles is a key speaker at the Nourishing Stories for the Soul lunch.
Both Kemi and Jade will be in conversation with well-known bookish moderator Jaclyn Crupi, who is an incredible storyteller in her own right.
Jaclyn is a book editor and event moderator who has written numerous books for children and adults including Nonna Knows Best; Garden Like A Nonno; Pasta Love; and Planting for Native Birds, Bees & Butterflies.
“In this empowering long lunch conversation, we’ll learn how a deep connection to nature and the seasons of life can help us cultivate identity, self-compassion, wellbeing and belonging,” Suzy said.
“And before the main event kicks off, we’ll hear from EMBR head chef Daniel Girau, alongside local growers and foodies from Kagome and Rich Glen, about the stories behind everything on our plates – the land, the people who tend it, and the communities built around it,” she said.
The first section is a ‘foodie’ event to celebrate our region’s rich agricultural roots and a paddock to plate conversation with growers (Ros Vodusek from Rich Glen and Brad Free from Kagome – both local business owners/operators) to Daniel Girau – who will prepare the meal to bring people together around the table.
“Christy O’Brien will facilitate this first session, with Jaclyn Crupi to discuss the significance of the stories we share around the table being the most important to shape and connect us – families/friends/communities,” Suzy said.
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