Trailblazing journalist, author and businesswoman Ita Buttrose is heading to Lake Macquarie next month to headline the annual History Illuminated festival.
Buttrose, whose media career spans six decades, will reflect on her career and the changing face of media during a candid conversation at Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, on Saturday 9 September.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said Buttrose had been a pioneer of Australia’s media landscape, becoming the founding editor of Cleo, the first woman to edit a major metropolitan newspaper and the first female director of News Ltd Australia.
“Ita is a truly exceptional Australian, as well as a best-selling author, and we can’t wait to welcome her to Lake Mac and hear stories about her life,” she said.
This year’s festival features more than 30 events held across Lake Macquarie from 1-10 September.
Highlights include a 7 September talk by internationally renowned forensic anthropologist and criminologist Professor Xanthe Mallett, a heritage bus tour of West Wallsend and an Australian Army Band concert at Warners Bay Theatre on 5 September.
Saturday 9 September at Warners Bay Theatre is shaping up to be the festival’s don’t-miss fixture, with Buttrose’s 2pm chat, a morning talk with local author and journalist Scott Bevan about his new book, Return to the Hunter, and a 4pm conversation with locally bred comedian, broadcaster and author Mikey Robins.
Robins, who made his name as a Triple J presenter, will talk about his career and his new book, Idiots, Follies & Misadventures, which “tells the astonishing story of human stupidity, one idiot at a time”.
The day will also feature a talk by Wollotuka Institute of Aboriginal Studies Director Professor John Maynard on Australia’s first Aboriginal political organisation, and an overview by author Craig Collie of his book, Where the Flaming H*ll Are We?. about the Australian and New Zealand forces in World War II who fought the Nazis in Greece.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said History Illuminated had gone from strength to strength since its inception, capturing the imagination of locals and attracting top-level talent, from former Prime Ministers to best-selling authors.
“I can confidently say that this year’s line-up is our best yet,” she said.
“It caters to people of all ages and covers a multitude of subjects and interests relating to history, culture, people and place.”
Venues for this year’s History Illuminated events include Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba and Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari.
Some festival events are free, while others are ticketed. Bookings for all events are essential. Go to
