What's On

Come and enjoy National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) at Bathurst Library, reading a story at the same time as thousands of other libraries, schools, and bookshops across Australia. Library staff will read Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell at 12noon sharp, followed by more stories, songs, and rhymes. Plus, an interactive demonstration of our FREE library kid’s databases and a take home craft.

Join Orange author Hayley Rawsthorne for a heartwarming storytime adventure as she brings her beloved children's book These Little Feet to life! Perfect for young readers and their families, this special event will feature a reading of the book, fun activities, and an opportunity to connect with the author behind the story. Come celebrate the magic of little feet, big dreams, and the joy of storytelling in this interactive, family-friendly event! These Little Feet was named in Better Reading’s Top 50 kids books for 2025.

Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival, May 22 - 25, 2025 Bathurst Writers & Readers Festival returns for another year, in conjunction with Sydney Writers’ Festival. The Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival is an annual literary event presented by BMEC Local Stages program in collaboration with Bathurst Library, Arts OutWest and Books Plus, Bathurst. The Festival is bringing back all your favourites, including Opening Night event, focus panels, in-discussions, Sydney Writers Festival live streams and of course The Great Festival Read. (with plenty more good stuff in-between!)

Hear Alone Australia winner Gina Chick regale you with stories of her extraordinary life, from her unconventional childhood to deep links with nature as an adult. With host TK.

Travel the winding road of love through first encounters and second chances with bestselling novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls, in conversation with Jennifer Byrne on his latest love story.

Respected Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and historian Clare Wright reflect on the history of First Nations movements for change in Australia and look at next steps. With Lorena Allam.

Question what it means to change the world by defying history with Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling debut, which blends time travel, romance and spy thriller. With host Melanie Kembrey.

Join Central West author Cadance for a conversation on her new Science Fiction novel Letters To Our Robot Son. Hear Cadance and Paul Stafford discuss writing Sci-Fi, exploring themes of Artificial Intelligence, autonomy, family relationships and more. With her unique robot characters, Cadance captures a colloquial and heart-felt tale of life, family, hope and redemption – at the end of the world (maybe).

Join esteemed novelists Rumaan Alam, Robbie Arnott, Samantha Harvey and Torrey Peters as they discuss the state of the novel with host ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).

Join the Moriarty sisters, Jaclyn, Liane and Nicola, as they discuss their career beginnings, different publishing paths and many successes with writer and broadcaster Sarah Macdonald.

Hear iconic Australian writer Helen Garner’s reflections on football and the cycles of life in The Season, her first full-length book in a decade. In conversation with David Leser.

Hear Alan Hollinghurst discuss his seventh novel, a rich and pleasurable account of a lifetime in modern England and the search for identity. In conversation with Georgina Godwin.

Hear how Laureate of Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín returned to the Lacey family of international bestseller Brooklyn with the long-awaited sequel, set 20 years after Rose’s death. With ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans.

Novelist Shankari Chandran, investigative journalist Kate McClymont and Diamond Dagger Award winner Ian Rankin discuss the line between fact and fiction in the stories they tell about crime. With host Matthew Condon.

Join bestselling author Justine Ford live at BMEC as she talks about why she started writing true crime, and the case that haunts her. Justine Ford is a TV producer and journalist with a background in news and current affairs. She was a presenter on the top-rating crime series, Australia’s Most Wanted, and her producing credits include the hit shows Missing Persons Unit, Border Security¸ RPA and Random Acts of Kindness.

Celebrating the culture and creativity of the LGBTQIA+ community one true story at a time, Festival favourite Queerstories has played to crowds big and small, from Mudgee to Murwillumbah, Albury to Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond. Featuring Daniel Nour, Torrey Peters and more.

With host Jennifer Wong, get special insight into the art and industry of baking from the queens of Australian pastry, Flour and Stone's Nadine Ingram, Beatrix Bakes' Natalie Paull and Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid.

There’s always so many terrific books that we miss reading whilst we’re reading other wonderful books! Enjoy hearing Jen Barry and Lisa Holloway as they chat about some of the great books you may have missed over the past year, along with some to look forward to in the second half of the year.

Philosopher A.C. Grayling traces ‘cancel culture’ back to the ancient Greeks and tries to find a middle ground among the incendiary debates flamed by contemporary culture wars.

Ben Macintyre discusses his definitive account of the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London which put the SAS on the world stage. With Richard Fidler.

With the recent explosion of romance books hitting the shelves, join two of Australia’s unique voices for a conversation on writing modern Australian romances. Join Melanie Saward and  Leesa Ronald for an exciting book talk centered on contemporary love stories. Melanie’s Love Unleashed explores the complexities of modern relationships and the transformative power of love, while Leesa’s Special Delivery takes readers on a heartfelt journey of unexpected romance, second chances, and personal growth.

Following the latest instalment of the Inspector Rebus series, Ian Rankin reflects on his career as an international bestselling author and the UK’s #1 crime writer. With Michael Williams.

Lynette Noni is the bestselling and award-winning author of The Prison Healer series, The Medoran Chronicles, and the Whisper duology. She appears in conversation with Alex Adsett to discuss her latest novel, Wandering Wild.

For tens of thousands of years, First Nations oral traditions have carried history, law, culture, and identity across generations. In this insightful panel, Wiradyuri knowledge holders and scholars will explore the profound role of oral knowledge in preserving and passing on cultural heritage. From stories, songs, and ceremonies to language revitalisation, cultural practices, and the protection of sacred sites, knowledge holders are vital custodians of Wiradyuri traditions. Join us for a powerful conversation that challenges the dominance of written records and celebrates the enduring wisdom of storytelling as a source of knowledge and truth.

Join Asako Yuzuki as she talks about her international bestseller Butter and the transgressive pleasures of food, in a live translated event with Carody Culver. 

This hugely popular feature of the local program sees book lovers reading the same book in the lead-up to the Festival weekend. Read the book then attend the event where a panel discusses the book selected for each year. For 2025, the Great Festival Read is Purple Threads by Jeanine Leane. The panel conversation will be between women leaders in our community.

Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney for wild on-stage antics. Celebrate the latest Wimpy Kid book while satisfying your craving for family fun! Rec. ages 7–12.

Dive into the heart of a chilling mystery with Pip Fioretti’s latest novel, Skull River. Set in 1912 in a dying gold town, the novel follows mounted trooper Augustus Hawkins, a troubled war veteran, as he embarks on a dangerous hunt for a ruthless murderer. But as the bodies pile up, Hawkins uncovers a web of secrets lurking beneath the town's dusty surface.

Prominent writers Colm Tóibín and Charlotte Wood discuss how they became writers and what Ireland and Australia’s literary culture means to them. With host Michael Williams.

Join Jack Beaumont and Ben Macintyre as they lead you into the reality of espionage and intrigue, in conversation with Matthew Condon.

Dr. Stephen Gapps’s latest book Uprising focuses on the Second Wiradyuri War of Resistance and reveals just how widespread and coordinated Aboriginal resistance was across eastern Australia during the early 1800s. Join us for Dr Gapps in conversation with local historian Sarah Swift as they delve into the importance of confronting difficult histories to better understand our shared past.

Anna Funder’s work explores the best and worst that humans are capable of. Hear her discuss how we can resist the exploitation of our humanity in a world of bots and tech bros that sees humans as raw material.