The people who make Storyfest possible
By Georgie Allen
Storyfest, guided by powerhouse CEO Andrea Lewis, continues to reach new heights, bringing books, stories and live storytelling experiences to more young people across the state.
After 33 years of bringing the joy of reading to Australian children, Storyfest has become essential cultural infrastructure, establishing itself as both the premier writers’ festival on the Gold Coast and the largest children’s literacy festival in Australia.
We are constantly striving to reach the students who need us most, and in 2026, we held regional festivals in St George, Longreach, Emerald and, for the first time, Ipswich through Storyfest West Moreton. And we have no plans of slowing down! We are committed to creating opportunities for all children to access books and interact with their literary heroes face-to-face, especially those in remote areas. These interactions could be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for reading and writing. Without Storyfest, this connection and access to literature would be nothing but a pipedream.
Unsung heroes
Our festival days are full of fun and enjoyment for the entire family, but behind the scenes, an enormous amount of work is required to bring them to life. We want to shine a spotlight on the people who make Storyfest possible: our incredible volunteers, who donate their time and energy to support our worthy cause. Without you, none of our events would be possible. We want to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks. Because of you, children across Queensland have fallen in love with reading and been inspired to become storytellers themselves. Your generosity allows us to positively impact the lives of young people and inspire the next generation of learners.
Making the magic happen
With innumerable moving parts, our selfless volunteers allow our writers’ festivals to run like a well-oiled machine. At our Gold Coast festival this year, we offered over 140 activities, and our extraordinary volunteers underpin nearly every element of these activities in one way or another.
They assist in setting up key functions, such as the Prologue Party, Pencil to Plate, and workshops for adults. They accompany our storytellers to events and run the author green room, ensuring our storytellers feel welcome. There is no corner of Storyfest untouched by the kindness of our volunteers. They are our ushers, entry attendants and cashiers.
If you stop by our bookshop, you will find volunteers diligently stocking the shelves and assisting attendees with purchases. There is nothing quite like taking home a haul of new books, and we have our volunteers to thank for passing the joy of reading into young peoples’ hands.
Getting involved
If you would like to get involved and support us in enriching young lives through transformative storytelling experiences, we would love to hear from you. We have a number of opportunities available for people with a variety of abilities and interests. Even one afternoon can help bring the vibrancy of Storyfest to more young people. We guarantee that you will leave with a catalogue of happy memories and a sense of satisfaction knowing that you helped bring the joy of reading to Australian children.
Volunteer applications become available closer to our festival dates. Please follow the links below to find out more about volunteering with Storyfest: Storyfest Gold Coast; Storyfest West Moreton (Ipswich); Storyfest South West (St George); Storyfest Out West (Longreach); Central Queensland (Emerald).
