First Friday, our monthly conversation with an industry professional, is a chance for our community to learn more about the writing and publishing industry. This August, we invite you to our online event with Amy Sambrooke and Veechi Stuart from Varuna, The National Writers’ House.

Each year, over 200 writers participate in residencies and professional development programs at Varuna. This August we are joined by Amy Sambrooke, Creative Director, and Veechi Stuart, Executive Director, to discuss Varuna’s opportunities and events for writers, the upcoming Writing NSW Varuna Fellowships, and what it is that makes Varuna such a beloved literary institution.

This event starts online at 12:30pm, via Zoom, and will run for 60 minutes. If there is time, we will take audience questions at the end. Free and open to members and non-members, but RSVPs are essential.

Registered attendees will receive a link to access this event online immediately prior to the event start time on Friday 5 August.

VEECHI STUART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Veechi Stuart’s career has taken her on many adventures, including working as a journalist, writer, editor, publisher and business consultant. Before working at Varuna, Veechi worked as a columnist at the Sydney Morning Herald and as Publishing Manager for Woodslane Press. She is the author of over a dozen non-fiction titles, including bushwalking guides for both the Blue Mountains and Sydney.

Veechi has been a director on several community organisation boards, and has acted as an advisor to many businesses and non-profit organisations for over 20 years. She recently completed her MBA studies, including a research project into the contribution of regional writers’ centres to social inclusion. Veechi was recently nominated as a Cultural Leader by the Blue Mountains Artists Network.

Veechi loves finding ways to make the arts accessible to as many people as possible, and is proud to be part of the creative community in the Blue Mountains.

AMY SAMBROOKE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Sambrooke has worked in the cultural sector throughout her career. Prior to joining Varuna, Amy spent 8 years at the Whitlam Institute developing school and community programs and managing communications, marketing and outreach for the Institute’s public policy work and high-profile events program.

Amy has worked as a producer for several programs at 702 ABC Sydney as well as in commercial radio, and has reported for Triple J and ABC Darwin. She has also worked as an arts publicist and media trainer.

Amy has a Bachelor of Media in Writing from Macquarie University, and a Graduate Diploma in Radio Broadcasting from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.