Last week, Murrumburrah High School was delighted to welcome award-winning author Gabrielle Tozer as part of a regional tour sponsored by the Jugiong Writers Festival Group.
Over two days, Gabrielle delivered creative writing workshops at Gundagai High School, Cootamundra High School, Sacred Heart Central School, and Murrumburrah High.
Best known for her captivating young adult fiction, Gabrielle shared her passion for storytelling with students and staff, inspiring them through hands-on sessions focused on the craft of creative writing.
Held in the school library, the sessions featured displays of Gabrielle’s books and posters, creating an engaging and welcoming atmosphere. Students explored techniques for sparking creativity, developing characters, crafting dialogue, and structuring short stories using tools such as mind maps and brainstorming activities.
Feedback from the sessions was overwhelmingly positive. Both students and staff found the workshops fun, motivating, and packed with practical tips. Many students said they came away with a deeper understanding of the writing process and new confidence in their creative abilities.
English teacher Adrienne Beck praised the visit, saying, “It was lovely to have a local author come and visit. Gabby’s sessions were very informative and entertaining, students were taking notes and fully engaged.”
As a follow-up to Gabrielle’s visit, a short story competition is now being run for students across the four participating schools, offering a fantastic opportunity for young writers to showcase their talent.
Special thanks go to Sally Keatinge, who coordinated the entire event on behalf of the Jugiong Writers Festival. Her passion, dedication, and tireless efforts in supporting young people and their education made this enriching experience possible. The schools involved embraced this opportunity for their students. The Jugiong Writer’s Festival committee will continue to support our local schools and to inspire their reading and writing skills.
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