The literary landscape of the Sunshine Coast is set to embark on an exciting new chapter as Storyfest moves into the region, continuing the legacy of the beloved writers' festival. This transition marks not only a fresh beginning for literary celebrations on the coast but also a moment to honour the incredible contributions of Kelly Dunham and her team at Beyond the Book, who have worked tirelessly to foster a love of storytelling and reading within the community for the past couple of decades.
Since 1996, Beyond the Book (previously called Voices on the Coast) had been a staple of the Sunshine Coast’s cultural calendar, bringing together authors, illustrators, and literary enthusiasts for a dynamic festival that has inspired both young and old.
Organised by Immanuel Lutheran College Buderim and hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Beyond the Book has always had exceptional local support. Under the dedicated guidance of Kelly Dunham, the festival became a beacon for literacy, engagement, and creativity on the Sunshine Coast, connecting readers with some of Australia’s most beloved authors.
Kelly, who has passionately juggled her role as festival coordinator alongside her responsibilities as Innovation Hub Coordinator at the college, reflects on the challenges and triumphs of running Beyond the Book.
“It was a labour of love, but we always managed to make it happen, and seeing the joy on the children’s faces made it all worthwhile.”
Kelly Dunham
Moments worth cherishing
Kelly speaks fondly of the moments that made Beyond the Book so special, such as performances by Lucas Proudfoot and Gregg Dreise, whose First Nations storytelling resonated deeply with young audiences. “Watching the interaction between the performers and the children has always been incredible,” Kelly shares. “The joy on their faces was reflected right back at them by the kids. That’s what it’s all about.”
One of her fondest memories includes a nighttime event featuring Joel and Kate Temple, who were launching one of their Bin Chicken books. “It was meant to be outside, but it started raining, so we moved everything into the library. We had about 200 people packed inside, and there was this giant blow-up bin chicken floating around the room. It was absolute chaos, but it was wonderful,” she laughs.
Moments like these encapsulated the spirit of the Sunshine Coast’s literary festival – an event rooted in joy, community, and a shared passion for literature. Another highlight was witnessing the impact of authors on young readers. She recalls a young student, Harrison, being utterly starstruck when meeting author Matt Stanton. “He was just gobsmacked,” Kelly says. “To see that connection between a child and an author, and to have his parents there watching it all unfold, was magical.”
A new way forward
With Storyfest moving into the literary space on the Sunshine Coast, Kelly is confident that budding readers will be in good hands. Storyfest, already a well-established literary festival on the Gold Coast and more recently in regional Queensland, has built a reputation for delivering exceptional literary events that celebrate storytelling in all its forms. Bringing their expertise and passion to the Sunshine Coast is an exciting prospect for both readers and writers alike.
“Storyfest has such a strong reputation,” Kelly says. “I feel very confident that children’s literature is in good hands with their team. They understand the importance of fostering that connection between readers and writers, and I know they will continue to build on what we’ve created here.”
Andrea Lewis, CEO of Storyfest, shares her enthusiasm for expanding the festival’s reach to the Sunshine Coast. “We’ve long admired the incredible work of Kelly and her team at Beyond the Book,” Andrea says. “Our mission has always been to create opportunities for people of all ages to engage with storytelling in meaningful ways. Bringing Storyfest to the Sunshine Coast allows us to continue that mission while honouring the incredible foundation that has already been laid.”
While Kelly is stepping away from literary festivals, she remains deeply committed to fostering a love of storytelling in her role as Innovation Hub Coordinator. Her work in the college’s Innovation Hub continues to focus on engaging students through books, technology, and creative spaces.
“Our Innovation Hub is a happening space,” she says. “Every lunchtime, we have about 110 to 130 students coming in, engaging in everything from reading and LEGO building to podcasting and virtual reality. It’s about making literacy and storytelling accessible and exciting in different ways.”
From Beyond the Book to Storyfest
The transition from Beyond the Book to Storyfest marks a new era for literary celebrations on the Sunshine Coast, but the core mission remains the same: to inspire, engage, and bring communities together through the power of storytelling. As Kelly puts it, “It’s all about giving kids the opportunity to discover the magic of books and stories in a way that feels natural and exciting to them.”
With Storyfest at the helm, the future of literary festivals on the Sunshine Coast looks brighter than ever. The festival’s expansion ensures that local readers, young and old, will continue to have access to engaging and inspiring literary experiences for years to come. And while Beyond the Book may be closing its chapter, its legacy will undoubtedly live on, carried forward by the passionate individuals who believe in the power of stories to change lives.
