They came from far and wide. Across oceans, seas and land. For the 2025 Sydney International Storytelling Conference. A conference “like no other”.
Spanning two venues and three-and-a-half days, the spinning of tales began with a pre-conference concert at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, where a line-up of international tellers regaled the packed house with tales that were live, intimate and unforgettable.
Tellers included Diane Ferlatte, Adam Booth and Alton Chung from the USA, and homegrown favourites, Christine Carlton and Christine Greenough. Sadly, US powerhouse, Eth-no-tec, was unable to perform due to illness.
According to concert goer, Stella Baihn, the evening at Glenaeon was an entrée for what was to come.
“Storytellers from overseas and Australia both delighted and excited us with their stories - stories that had us laughing hysterically, and stories that took our breath away with their elements of both shock and surprise.
“This (pre-conference) concert was a taste-tempting entrée to the feast of storytelling that was to follow!”
Conference organiser, Australian Storytellers, wishes to thank Glenaeon School for their partnership and continued generous support at hosting this event.
What followed on was three packed days of storytelling, knowledge sharing and friendship-making that amazed even long-term conference delegates.
“I have been to all our international conferences, but this one was a conference like no other,” said Judy Mitchell, delegate and member of Australian Storytellers.
“Adam, our keynote speaker, walked with us - not in front or above but beside - and we with him. We experienced wonderful workshops -nurturing, challenging, creative.
“We sat spellbound at concerts with stories told from the heart. Like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, we were in a mix, spilling over into the now and beyond.”
The theme for this year’s conference, “Vibrant Voices – Storytelling across Generations and Cultures”, ensured a program to suit everyone.
Pre-conference masterclasses by Adam Booth and Alton Chung were backed up by a host of workshops delivered by many passionate presenters that covered topics as wide ranging as “Pitch, Pace & Pause”, “From Page to Stage” and “Grave Tales”, to name but a few.
And for those in the early childhood realm of storytelling, there were plenty of possibilities to hone skills and knowledge thanks to the expertise of experienced tellers like Lee Castledine, Em Chandler, Jill Webster and Christine Carlton.
“Everywhere you turned in the three days, people were having such an amazing time. Tears, laughter, connection … we shared it all.
“And as Eth-no-tec said at the finale of the conference, storytelling brings ‘radical joy’. We all sure need that in these times. I can’t wait for our next big biennial gathering – here’s to the 2027 Sydney International Storytelling Conference !”
In the meantime, Australian Storytellers will host a One-Day Wonder conference on 13 June next year in Sydney.
For more, see australianstorytellers.org.au
Leanne Logan