This week is NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate and honour the achievements, histories, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme for this year is Heal Country!, a timely call for all to reflect on how we can better protect lands, waters and sacred sites from exploitation and destruction.

We are privileged to work with outstanding speakers in a variety of areas – from advocacy to the arts, education and sport – leading the conversation for change. Learn more about our First Nations speakers here.

One of our favourite things at Booked Out is sending authors on tour! We organise oodles of interstate author tours each year, and 2021 is no exception, with 18 touring authors travelling around Australia over the year.

The inimitable Jack Heath has just returned from a week in South Australia, where he wowed his many Adelaide fans, and connected with hundreds of students over several days.

To read more, you can read Jack’s newsletter online here, or see below for an excerpt.

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I recently returned from Adelaide.

I love Adelaide—I’ve been there lots of times, and every time I discover something new. This time I learned:

• The buses drive above the ground on concrete rails rather than on roads, with terrifying drops on either side and in between
• Adelaide has those zippy electric scooter things available to rent, just like Canberra (and they lock themselves and hurl you off if you try to ride one into Rundle Mall—the scooter is judge, jury and executioner!)
• Adelaideans (is that the right term?) are all very friendly, but sometimes say ominous things like, “You can’t be too careful around here” and “Oh, I love those scooter things. Sometimes you don’t want to risk walking to the train station, you know?”
• The teacher librarians of South Australia are incredible people, trying to broaden the minds of their students despite the resistance of (some) parents, principals and the students themselves (obviously not all students/parents/principals, but still, it’s a battle, and one not contained to South Australia. #studentsneedschoollibraries)
• And that the only place open for dinner after 9:30 pm on a Sunday night is a mini-golf place, but the pizza there is way better than you’d think.

During one of my very early morning walks, I was also startled to discover a pair of breakfast radio hosts sealed in a glass box (they were in there for five days, raising money for Lifeline). Good on them! (pictured).

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If you’re interested in booking a touring author, we’d be happy to help on 03 9824 0177!

Happy holidays to everyone who has just started their break! After a busy Term 2, we hope you get a chance to have a well-deserved rest.

If you and the kids are inside hiding from the wintry weather and need something to do, our kids’ authors have your back! Check out the videos posted by Adrian Beck and Nat Amoore which are full of fun and games.

We also highly recommend checking out the local library – not only can you borrow books to while away the time, many libraries are also running fun holiday activities to keep everyone entertained. Many libraries are offering click and collect as well as online programs for those living in areas currently affected by COVID restrictions.

We’ll be in the office for the duration of the holidays, so as always feel free to call or email to get in touch if we can help with any bookings or questions.

(03) 9824 0177 

bookings@bookedout.com.au

Join us this week in celebrating the courageous, resilient and strong people who make our communities great – our refugee friends and neighbours.

We feel so fortunate to share our country and meet on common ground, coming together to share stories, ideas, and delicious food – and in the process, creating a stronger and more accepting society.

This year’s theme of ‘Unity’ encourages people from all backgrounds to come together to not just survive, but thrive in inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.

We’re proud to represent many fantastic speakers who can speak on their own experiences as refugees and develop empathy and resilience in your students.

🔹 Abdi Aden

🔹 Sumaya Harare

🔹 Bic Walker

🔹 Najaf Mazari

🔹 Valanga Khoza

🔹 David Nyuol Vincent

🔹 Mariam Issa

Contact us on 03 9824 0177 to have a chat about hosting a speaker at your school today.

It’s no secret that we love all things literary! But did you know that we also represent some of Australia’s leading experts in better health and wellbeing for school students?⁣
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These speakers lift the lid on topics that often go unspoken in Australian schools and help young people to navigate and understand the world around them:⁣
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🔷 Lucy & Rosie Thomas launched PROJECT ROCKIT to tackle bullying, hate and prejudice.⁣
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🔷 Jonny Shannon’s life’s purpose is to help young people and talks on cyber safety, drug & alcohol addiction, sex & relationships, mental health and resilience.⁣
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🔷 Sumaya Harare connects with students from schools all over the country on topics of bullying and overcoming it, body image issues and integrating as a refugee.⁣
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🔷 Benjamin Law writes and speaks on a range of topics including sexuality, bullying, growing up and unconventional families, and coming-of-age rituals in rural Australia.⁣
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🔷 Dr Jodi Richardson is dedicated to elevating the mental health and wellbeing of others and works with parents, educators and other professionals to support students and children with anxiety.⁣
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🔷 Chris Daicos is a trained teacher and social worker who has also completed the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology, using her skills to support and promote the wellbeing of young people and adults.⁣
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And the list goes on! You can check out many more of our inspiring wellbeing specialists by browsing our speaker list, or get in touch for a recommendation.

We bet you didn’t think that was it for new speakers! The Booked Out family is growing a lot this year, with two new fantastic Victorian speakers who we’d like to introduce, as well as an important new session from Nikki Gemmell (NSW).

George Green
George is an accomplished motivational speaker with over ten years experience in inspiring young people.  George details his journey from the Hip-Hop industry to finding faith and his transition to successful children’s author.

Huda Hayek
Huda Hayek learned as an adult to embrace all the parts that make her unique. Hayek believes all children, no matter their backgrounds, can do this early and use it as a tool for success. The author of Huda and Me, Huda speaks to students about embracing difference, identity, belonging and using your own voice.

Nikki Gemmell has created a very timely and comprehensive session for students, titled Consent, Tenderness and Empowerment. Tailored to senior secondary students, the talk aims to empower our young people. It is about respectful relationships. Reciprocal relationships. Porn. Drinking and drugs. Having a voice. Control. Bewilderment. Generosity. Talking with each other, having your mate’s back –  and pleasure.

One year 11 student who heard this talk came up to Nikki Gemmell afterwards and said, “that’s the best Sex Ed talk I’ve ever heard. Why aren’t they all like that?”

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We’re really looking forward to working with George and Huda, and seeing Nikki Gemmell’s long lasting impact on students during such important years.

We’re so excited to welcome some new faces to the Booked Out family! Check out these talented authors:

Cath Moore
Cath is an award winning author, filmmaker and academic, specializing in YA and own-voice storytelling for the page and screen. She contributed to the Growing Up African in Australia anthology (edited by Maxine Beneba Clarke) and her debut novel Metal Fish, Falling Snow won the 2021 Victorian Premier’s YA award for literature, was longlisted for the 2021 Stella Prize, and shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA, ABIA & NSW Premier’s YA literary awards.

Gary Lonesborough
Gary is a writer of young adult fiction, with experience working in the Aboriginal health, the disability sector and the film industry. His debut YA novel The Boy from the Mish is a funny and heartwarming queer Indigenous story exploring cultural and sexual identity in rural Australia.

Claire Saxby
Claire writes poetry, fiction and non-fiction for young people. She speaks (and sometimes sings) about history, humour, our environment, making stories, writing poetry and researching. Her picture books, including Iceberg, Kookaburra, Dingo, Koala and more, are sure to delight and engage young readers with their informative yet lyrical storytelling and mesmerising illustrations.

Gabriel Bergmoser
Gabriel is an award-winning author, playwright and screenwriter who loves to tell and hear stories in all shapes and sizes. His books The Hunted and YA coming of age novel The True Colour of a Little White Lie are both set to be developed into feature films.

Are you as impressed as we are?? 😍

Get in touch today to make a booking with one of these fab speakers.