Let's Hear It for the Boys

Tony Birch is the author of three novels and four short story collections, in 2021 he released two new books, a poetry book, Whisper Songs and a new short story collection, Dark As Last Night. His website is: tony-birch.com

Victor Rodger, ONZM, is an award winning playwright and producer of Samoan (Iva) and Scottish (Dundee) descent. As a writer, he is best known for his award winning play Black Faggot which has played throughout New Zealand and internationally. IN 2015 he created FCC (Flow, Create, Connect), a theatre company designed to help create more opportunity for Pasifika practitioners. FCC has since produced an award winning production of Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop as well as the multi-award winning production of Wild Dogs Under My Skirt by Tusiata Avia which FCC presented off Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse last year, scooping the prize for Best of the Fringe. FCC are currently developing a stage adaptation of Tusiata Avia’s award winning poetry collection The Savage Coloniser Book.

In New Zealand we have a treaty, a document of partnership between Māori and 'The Crown' signed in 1840 by representatives of both parties. If such a thing exists, I am a son of the treaty. My mother is Waikato and I claim three tribes through her; Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki and Ngāti Paoa. My father is Australian, born in Quorn, SA. I entered the world a week before the Rolling Stones played their first gig. For as long as I can remember, I've been a writer but I've only called myself one since 1992 with the publication of my first children's book. Since then I've written across most genres, including fiction, non fiction and memoir, and poetry as well, which I also perform. I've been lucky enough to pick up a couple of awards, including the 2006 Best Picture Book in the NZ Children's Book Awards, as well as several shortlists and residencies. In May 2021 I was appointed inaugural Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador for New Zealand. I'm also a father of two, which I consider my best work by far.

A Gamilaraay man from Moree NSW, Danny has been working in Black Media for 20 years. After releasing his award-winning short film “Mah” Danny moved into documentary filmmaking working alongside some of the country’s best filmmakers and production houses. In 2012 Danny worked with Indigenous youth in Kakadu to write and direct Songline to Happiness, receiving Best Short Documentary at the 2012 ImagineNATIVE Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. Danny has worked in all forms of media from broadcast, radio Danny is currently the Producer/Presenter of Triple A Murri Country's flagship show Let's Talk.