July 17th, 2025Head to Trentham for everything words

Trentham Words in Winter is celebrating its 21st year in 2025.
The very first event of the festival was a book launch at Reverie Books – now Trentham General, and originally home to the old National Bank. Next door, the Trentham Hotel hosted a concert of Irish and Australian music in the Back Room, a venue well known to local music lovers.
Over the road Trentham Café and Crafts hosted Bush Poetry Old and New, an event organised by the Trentham Historical Society. The Old Bakehouse down the laneway – now Red Beard Bakery – served up pizza along with blues/roots music that was the passion of the owner, Adrian Kosky.
The Trentham Neighbourhood Centre – still a venue nearly two decades later, was the place for a Village Glee Club and also a Scrabble Fest which was an event imported from Daylesford and run by Daylesford local Clive Rutherford.
Trentham local, Peter Fernon, was already on his feet in a performance poetry item at the Fir Tree Bistro – the old Commercial Hotel – alongside the famous Ken Buddha Trio.
Food and entertainment was in full swing at both Wilding’s, a restaurant in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, and The Chimney, a European-style café where Kuki now stands. A book workshop ran at the Trentham Railway Station while Trentham’s combined churches hosted Melbourne Football Club’s chaplain for some Sporting Words at St Andrew’s Uniting Church.
Spokesperson Sylvia Johnson said a few years ago the committee decided to include staged and musical events, with some well-known authors also making appearances. The addition of the Mechanics also made a huge difference.
Just a few of the events this year include:

• Melbourne-based writer Madeleine Cleary shares the story behind her salacious first novel, The Butterfly Women. She describes the life of her great-great grandmother, a prominent brothel owner in colonial Melbourne’s notorious Little Lonsdale Street.
  Madeleine pens a daring novel of danger and intrigue in the once disgusting and dark lanes around the many houses of ill-repute. Madeleine now balances writing, podcasting, and life in the Dandenong Ranges.
• Experience two exhilarating hours with the acclaimed poet, performer, and creative powerhouse Joel McKerrow. Whether a seasoned writer, an emerging author, a secret scribbler, or simply someone who loves the music of language, this workshop is an invitation to dive deep into the heart of storytelling and poetic expression.
• Enjoy a cosy afternoon of bush poetry featuring the works of local bush poets and heroes of the past. The rafters of this historic and fitting venue will ring with tales of the Aussie bushland. Submit an original unpublished work or compete to be the most compelling performer of your favourite classic.
• From famous authors and memorable characters to plot twists and literary quotes, challenge your wits and immerse yourself in the world of words to raise money for the Trentham Play Group and Trentham Kindergarten. Suitable for all ages, with children’s literature included.
• At Those in Our Midst: ‘I Have a Story to Tell’ you will hear from people in Trentham with fascinating life stories, professions, and interests including: Professor John Long, palaeontologist at Flinders University, author of 30 books, documentary maker, a master scientist and storyteller; Simon Rickard, specialist in historical bassoons, a leading exponent of bizarre renaissance woodwind instruments, and horticulturist; Simon Phillips, multi-award winning director of plays, musicals and operas, including Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, and Muriel’s Wedding; and Sylvia Johnson, award-winning restaurant owner, inaugural producer and director of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, and seasoned civil celebrant.
  Along with the events Sylvia said there were lots of cash prizes on offer for contemporary poetry, bush poetry, short story competitions and more.
  “I hope the people of Trentham and beyond come along and make the most of this fabulous festival of words. There really is something for everyone to get involved in.”
  Trentham Words in Winter is held over the five weekends of August.

For tickets and information head to www.trenthamwordsinwinter.org
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