1. Townsville Writers and Publishers Centre www.twpc.org
Riverway Arts Centre jarryd@twpc.org
20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa Central 4817 ABN: 40 866 368 661
11/11/2014
MEDIA RELEASE
(For immediate release)
New Website Reveals Local Stories
Townsville Stories, a new website from the Townsville Writers & Publishers Centre (TWPC), will showcase the
work of local writers, including those who participated in two of TWPC’s storytelling programs in 2014: Write
Cafe and Place Stories.
A launch for the website will take place on Friday 28 November from 7pm, at the Riverway Arts Centre.
Write Cafe was a series of residencies for emerging and professionalwriters at cafes around Townsville, giving
four local authors an opportunity to develop their writing and share their stories.
Ashleigh Rutherford, who took part in Write Cafe, found the experience of writing in a public space enjoyable.
“This is an opportunity to get my name and my work out there, I’m so lucky.”
Local writer, Chris Silvini, agreed and said that these opportunities don’t come around often enough in smaller
cities like Townsville.
“A huge thank you to TWPC for organising the program,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing for aspiring writers
in North Queensland.”
Stories of mermaids, ghosts and artists are just some of those included in Place Stories, a new venture from
TWPC’s Verb Writers Group.
Ariella Van Luyn, creative writer and project co-ordinator of Place Stories, said it has been exciting to help local
writers develop their stories and discover the many ways places in Townsville are imagined.
“Local places have taken on a whole new significance for me,” she said.
Place Stories reveals the personal and historical significance of locations such as Flinders Mall, the Rock Pool
and the old Townsville Hospital.
You can view these stories at www.townsvillestories.com or by scanning a QR code at the location where each
story is set. All stories from Place Stories will be accompanied by artwork from local artist Michelle Hall.
“The most exciting part of this project for me is how it makes creative writing and soft sculpture a part of
everyday life,” she said. “It celebrates the beauty of art and highlights the importance of artistic endeavours in
social life.”
The launch will be preceded by TWPC’s Annual General Meeting at 6pm.
If you’re interested in becoming a TWPC member, or would like to know more about Townsville Stories, please
contact Jarryd Luke at jarryd@twpc.org.
Write Cafe is proudly supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Place Stories is supported by a Regional Arts Development Fund grant from Townsville City Council.
Please contact Jarryd Luke for photographs.