Tim Winton: Nature Writing Prize

The Nature Conservancy Australia’s Nature Writing Prize was created to celebrate and promote the art of nature writing in Australia, and encourage a greater appreciation of Australia’s magnificent landscapes.

This year, writers of all stages in their writing journey were invited to participate, and the tough job of shortlisting and selecting a winner lies with this year’s judges – novelist, essayist and editor Ashley Hay; and writer and environmental historian Cameron Muir.

Join us for a special evening to celebrate the 2023 winner announcement and see who will be awarded the $7,500 prize for their winning essay in the genre of ‘Writing of Place’, with a keynote presentation from author and passionate conservationist, Tim Winton.

Tim Winton is the author of 29 books. Listed as a National Living Treasure, few other Australian writers have had such a broad-ranging and far-reaching cultural impact, from the arts and sciences, to environmental education, and conservation policy. In June 2023, Tim Winton received an Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to literature as an author and novelist, to conservation, and to environmental advocacy.

The event is proudly brought to you by The Nature Conservancy Australia and has been made possible thanks to the vision, and a generous donation, from The McLean Foundation, which promotes and celebrates the literature of nature and literature in nature in Australia.

Nazanin Boniadi: The 2023 Sydney Peace Prize Lecture

Iranian-born actress Nazanin Boniadi has had an impressive onscreen career, including leading roles in the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Homeland.  

But it’s her major role as a human rights advocate that has led to her most recent recognition. Over more than two decades, Boniadi has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices and struggles of Iranians citizens and activists, fighting for the country’s democracy and freedom – particularly for women and children. She has advocated at the highest levels, including at the UN Security Council, the US Senate Human Rights Caucus, and in the British Parliament.  

In June, Boniadi was awarded the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize for ‘lending a powerful voice to support Iranian women and girls and their #WomanLifeFreedom movement, and for using a high-profile platform to promote freedom and justice in Iran’.  

At this unmissable event, Boniadi will deliver a stirring keynote lecture on democracy and women’s rights, followed by a Q&A.

Nazanin will be introduced by Mahsa Hajjari, who was born in Iran and moved to Australia in 2012. She is passionate about amplifying social impact and evaluating the ecosystems in which organisations operate. Mahsa works for WIRE, the only Victoria-wide free generalist information, support and referral service run by women for women. 

Nazanin Boniadi will be awarded the Sydney Peace Prize at an event on 2 November at the Sydney Town Hall. Tickets and information available here. 

Freeplay 2021

Join this online showcase of some of the most unique, experimental, and personal independent games being made in Australia and beyond in a virtual 8-bit replica of The Capitol.

For over fifteen years, Freeplay Independent Games Festival has been exploring the margins of games culture – the artistic, the weird, the provocative and the punk – to uncover emerging and exceptional makers from bedroom coders to artists pushing the boundaries of the artform. This now digital event includes nominees demonstrating their creations live on stage and sharing their origin stories, creative inspirations and intimate journeys.

Find the full list of nominees here.