Spokeswoman Marion Roubos-Bennett Batemans Bay Writers Festival was “thrilled to announce an exciting line up for the 2016 Festival.”

In its third year, the festival will welcome a number of eminent Australian writers and leaders across a diverse range of interests.

Lifestyle, history, health and the arts will share centre stage with some of the best writers of fiction, poetry, non-fiction and memoir.

The Festival opens on Friday, September 9 with former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher AC talking “Tango in Travel and Travel Writing: Bhutan to Batemans Bay!” and a fun debate compared by Paul Brunton from the State Library of NSW.

There will be 16 sessions for book lovers over the weekend as well as five workshops where budding writers can learn more about their craft, editing and getting published.

“For foodies, meet James Viles, chef and owner of the two-hatted restaurant Biota Dining and photographer Simon Griffiths, who has worked with celebrated chefs from Maggie Beer to Stephanie Alexander and Kylie Kwong to produce beautiful and inspirational cook books.

They will be joined by Annabel Morley, daughter of the renowned actor Robert Morley CBE, whose memoir The Icing on the Cake brings to life her wonderful bohemian childhood and is filled with recipes she has served all over the world.

“Lovers of art cannot miss seeing Darleen Bungey in conversation.”

Ms Bungey’s landmark biography John Olsen, An Artist’s Life was joint winner of the 2015 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Non-Fiction and has been shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Literary Award for non-fiction.

She will be chatting with Paul Brunton about both her work on Olsen as well as another Australian icon Arthur Boyd.

“Dr Leah Kaminsky has written the fascinating We’re All Going to Die, a book that asks why some of us fear dying and others embrace it,” Ms Roubos-Bennett said.

 “As a GP, helping people face death is something she does every day.

“As a writer, Leah Kaminsky is able to express our deepest feelings about death and dying.”

Three award-winning journalists who know a thing or two about politics and elections will be sharing their highlights and lowlights of what  turned out to be a fascinating Federal Election campaign.

George Megalogenis, Malcolm Knox and Mark Dapin will discuss the “horror and the humour” of

the 2016 election.

George Megalogenis, will talk about his latest book, Australia’s Second Chance, on Sunday. 

“These days, the environment can be a political football, and no one knows that better than Geoff

Cousins AM,” Mrs Roubos-Bennett said.

A business leader and former ad man, Geoff Cousins joined Man Booker prize-winning author Richard Flanagan and former Greens leader Bob Brown in a campaign to stop the billion dollar Gunns pulp mill and in the process, save Tasmania’s wilderness.

He went on to campaign against the Woodside Petroleum gas hub in the Kimberley and these days is

President of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

He will chat with Walkley award winning journalist Malcolm Knox about the business of saving the environment and why it is important to champion our natural resources.

“We are thrilled that Rosie Toth, head of the Eurobodalla Fellowship of Australian Writers

will be introducing five of our local authors,” Mrs Roubos Bennett said.

Tim Collins, Rhonda Casey, Debbie Richardson,Stafford Ray and Cassandra Webb will all be reading from their latest works and discussing what inspires their work.

For lovers of fiction, Malcolm Knox author of The Wonder Lover, will be chatting with Ian

Campbell about this, his latest novel.

Three writers of memoirs will discuss who’s story is it to tell.

Meredith Jaffé and Suzanne Leal will talk about social transgressions in their new novels

The Fence and The Teacher’s Secret. History buffs can join Mark Dapin and Leah Kaminsky

as they talk about Life After War.

Three award winning poets, Sarah Rice, Geoff Page and Paul Hetherington will discuss rhythm and rhyme.

Deb Hunt will talk about the Royal Flying Doctor Service and how it is much more than just a

medical service to the outback.

On Saturday night author readings will intersperse a fun literary quiz, and Sunday

sees the festival close with a literary lunch featuring the Honourable Tim Fischer as he talks

turning points in our great country: Bean, Melba, Monash, Menzies and Molly Meldrum.

Earlybird Platinum Pass tickets are on sale now: www.batemansbaywritersfestival.com

or phone 0417 267 771 Check the website for program updates

For further information visit www.batemansbaywritersfestival.com

Media inquiries: Marion Roubos-Bennett 0417 267 771.