Locals and visitors alike are being urged to secure their spot at next month’s Territory Tribute International Military Writers’ Festival, with tickets to the much-anticipated event selling quickly.

People from right across Australia are expected to attend the three-day writers’ festival, which will be held in the heart of Darwin from 5-7 April 2019.

Festival Ambassador Peter FitzSimons will give an evening address on Friday, 5 April at Double Tree by Hilton at 7.30pm. Dubbed The Day Everything Changed, Mr FitzSimons will explore the events surrounding the initial bombing of Darwin on 19 February 1942 and how the Territory’s capital and Australia was affected from that time on.

The festival, which is themed ‘War and Words’, will feature over 30 prominent military authors and 20 sessions. The author talks, panel discussions and literary sessions will cover a broad range of topics and themes, including: 

·        The impacts on the families of POWs, and being a military spouse

·        Evolving community attitudes to war and the role of war correspondents

·        Larrikins in khaki

·        Writing books for children about Gallipoli and the Western Front

·        History detectives and exposing fraudulent claims

·        The battle for hearts and minds through propaganda 

The International Military Writers’ Festival is a key component of Territory Tribute, a series of new and existing events bookended by the Bombing of Darwin Commemoration Ceremony on 19 February and Anzac Day on 25 April 2019.

To find out more information or to purchase tickets to the International Military Writers’ Festival, visit www.territorytribute.com.au.

Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company General Manager Tim Watsford:

“With just a matter of weeks to go until the International Military Writers’ Festival begins in Darwin, now is the best time to purchase tickets before the sessions sell out.

“Some of Australia’s best writers, researchers and historians will be in the Top End for this event and I’d encourage both Territorians and tourists with an interest in wartime history to get along to one of the many sessions on offer.

“From panel discussions, to literary sessions and author talks, there is really something to entertain, inform and inspire people of all ages.”

Media Contact: Northern Territory Major Events Company Media Officer 0439 065 321