Well as the Melbourne winter dragged on and on and on, I was warmly surprised by an invitation to the Sarawak Children’s Festival.

It was easy to say yes, once I understood the vision for the storytelling and saw the team I would be working with. Working with people who are genuinely interested in children, storytelling, languages and all that these things can be, is pure delight.

Welcomed by staff at the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri with Ariyo, Hong Jie Jie and Uncle Nai.

The festival took place in two cities: Miri and Kuching in the State Libraries (the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak) both fabulous buildings set in big green spaces. The storytelling was a component of a bigger program that included performances by children and a zillion workshops - everything from cake decorating, balloon twisting, soap making, learning about Braille, sign languages and embroidery … just to list a few!

This was the first live festival for 2 years and the energy was popping!

I’m in there somewhere. The team and some - on the library stairs - Miri.

Tay Yit Ping (the story teller organiser andwrangler) had our team delivering stories from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm over two days, as well as workshops. As part of the core team, I worked in both cities and in addition to the festival program, visited a school and ran workshops for teachers and librarians.

Well that was a thing! Over 500 students! L - R Ping, Ng Kok Keong, me, Ariyo.

The multilingual and storytelling skill and energy displayed by my fellows was sparking. The respect we were afforded by the festival, and the care and hospitality provided by Ping, made the task easier. Having travelled from very cold, wet Melbourne to the heat and humidity of Sarawak, I had to take things slowly. By about the tenth day, I could feel myself acclimatising and by then it was almost time to return home.

Ng Kok Keong and Kak Sue rockin’ it!

The international community of storytellers found many ways to connect during the isolation we all endured during the worst of Covid. We visited each other around the world via Zoom and Facebook streaming, supported programs for children and adults - all of us working hard to stay on the right side of OK. The warmth and relationships seeded during this time remain strong.

Dinner hosted by the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Kuching - flavours and textures new to me and delicious.

Big grateful hugs to Ping and Grace Rongrong who not only looked after us during the working hours but made time to show us something of the National Parks, Museums, Nature reserves, restaurants and sunsets.

In Miri, after the long days, we recharged by the sea.

After two years of Covid cancellations, the Willy Lit Fest (Williamstown Literary Festival) finally went ahead.

The programming committee were very generous and accepted my pitch to host a launch for a A Shorebird Flying Adventure. Not only that - Sarah and i performed our storytelling show Tales from the Flyway AND the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre had a display space in the ballroom in the Town Hall. So migratory shorebirds received a lot of attention over the festival weekend!

My co-creator of the book, Milly Formby, was in West Australia where she has started on her flying adventure around the country and her school visits. So of course she couldn’t join us for the launch, but she was with us in spirit. You can check out her progress and explore her activities on her website Wing Threads.

It’s fair to say, I was popping out of my skin with excitement at the thought of finally launching this book. I was over the moon to have the support of Dr Marilyn Olliff, Chair of the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, Dr Laura Brearley, environmental activist, songwriter, co-ordinator of several community festivals and Suzette Rodoreda, one of two Hobsons Bay conservation rangers and passionate about environmental, social and economic justice. Suzette kindly hosted proceedings for me - I would have been in a spin without her steady presence.

Dr Laura Brearley leading us through her Acknowledgement Song in Auslan. (Left Dr Marilyn Olliff, Right Suzette Rodoreda)

Milly was absent but her name was on display at the signing table.

A Shorebird Flying Adventure is published by CSIRO. Check out the free downloadable teaching notes, if needed. Also the CSIRO have written a terrific article about me and Milly on their blog.

Micolight Milly (Formby). What a buzz it is working with this deeply creative and thoughtful woman!

Coming in June 2022

A Shorebird Flying Adventure co-created with Milly Formby, illustrated by Milly and published by the CSIRO.

So excited to be working on this book with Milly. I live in an area of Melbourne fringed by wetlands that provide habitat for these threatened species.

Join Milly in her microlight around Australia to discover how amazing and awesome migratory shorebirds are!

In A Shorebird Flying Adventure you’ll meet brilliant birds who travel phenomenal distances every year and explore their precious wetland habitats and breeding grounds. Discover fascinating facts about their diet and find out Milly’s top tips to tell one species from another. Grab your binoculars, hop on board and let’s go bird watching.

*Amellia ‘Milly’ Formby is a pilot, zoologist, illustrator and bird nerd! Follow her amazing journey around Australia at Wing Threads. Milly is planning a flight around OZ to raise awarness for migratory shorebirds. She will be visiting schools, libraries and wetlands. You can book a visit and follow her adventure - visit the Wing Threads website!