It was with some nervousness and a little excitement that Daniel approached his first literary festival, the famous Willy Lit Fest in Melbourne’s west.
Daniel was asked to deliver a session on bringing people’s real stories to life, and highlighting how people’s place was critical in getting the story right.
Daniel met with Transgender Victoria (TGV) dynamo Sally Goldner to discuss how best to get rural contacts for upcoming training sessions across regional and rural Victoria. Don’t miss out!
Be sure to check out their new website here: www.transgendervictoria.com
Thanks to Dymocks Camberwell who asked me to join their monthly Book Club in May.
Daniel enjoyed the reading, especially the thoughtful questions.
Special thanks to Kat!
Every year 15-20,000 book lovers descend upon the small town of Clunes. The Booktown Festival is world famous, and it seems that many a book enthusiast strikes gold in this, the first town where gold was found in Victoria (which sparked that small gold rush you hear about occasionally).
The people of Clunes were kind enough to invite me to bring Beyond Priscilla: one gay man, one gay truck, one big idea… to town. All About Books made sure the book was available, Barbara did the legwork ahead of Daniel’s arrival (and made it all possible) and Doug & Jon from Quince Farm Imports were stall hosts (and Daniel’s hosts for the weekend).
Many a conversation was had with passers-by and Daniel felt incredibly looked after.
On Saturday 3rd May, Daniel did a Book Reading for the Clunes Neighbourhood House ‘Burn This Book Festival’ where some 40 people gathered.
Thanks Clunes!
The Bookshop Darlinghurst were kind enough to host a Beyond Priscilla book signing for Beyond Priscilla in mid-April.
A small yet committed crowd of booklovers attended on a cold Sunday afternoon.
Be sure to give your dollars and book love to The Bookshop Darlinghurst next time you are on Oxford Street.
Daniel was VERY excited to hear that his latest book, Beyond Priscilla: one gay man, one gay truck, one big idea… was at most domestic airport bookshops thanks to his well-travelled friends.
In Sydney, Daniel was even more excited to hear that Beyond Priscilla had made the Book Of The Month shelf for April!
In April, Daniel was flown to Byron Bay (tough life!) to present at a young people’s Sexual Health forum for local secondary schools.
The remarkable Positive Adolescent Sexual Health consortium did an outstanding job in pulling off this event on the smell of an oily rag. Young people got to get a rural LGBTI perspective and to think about how to challenge homophobia and transphobia in their own schools. Daniel even got to chat a little on ABC Northern Rivers radio.
Pictured right with Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli (one of Daniel’s early role models)
Daniel sat down for a compelling hour of interviewing from LGBTI ally, Michelle Barber.
Michelle prides herself on asking you the questions she would around her kitchen table over a cuppa. Daniel rates this as one of the most enjoyable interviews he’s done for quite a while.
Download the interview here:
joy.org.au/standupstraight/2014/03/06/challenging-homophobia-with-daniel-witthaus/
In March 2014 Daniel joined PFLAG Geelong & Dr Jeremy Wiggins for a forum for local parents from Hobsons Bay. Stay tuned for a Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) in Hobsons Bay soon.
Pictured with PFLAG Geelong & Victoria Police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO)
In February 2014, the National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education (NICHE) was successful in getting a considerable amount of pro bono funding from King & Wood Mallesons to complete its application for charity status. Cross your fingers!
For more information on NICHE, click here: niche.thatssogay.com.au
