Who’s behind the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival?
We’re a group of wordy enthusiasts who were looking for a book festival. Dandenong Ranges culture is well-known for its thriving artistic community.
We’ve got the Open Studios, Burrinja Cultural Centre, the Lantern Parade and more, but we were missing a book festival. Melbourne Writer’s Festival inspired us, alongside other regional book festivals.
When Marian Matta posted her initial question as to why we don’t have our own literary festival in the Dandenong Ranges on a local community group online, it quickly grew into an idea people wanted to run with. We now have a committee of enthusiastic locals working towards our festival vision.
Meet us all below.
Marian Matta
Marian Matta writes short stories and historical fiction. Her collection, ‘Life, Bound’, was published by MidnightSun in 2020, and others stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies. Her manuscript ‘On Æther Hill’, set in the Dandenong Ranges, won a Gold Medal at the 2024 Historical Novels Society Conference. She is the oldest student in a circus school.
Tamara Protassow-Adams
Tamara Protassow is a non-fiction writing mentor + creativity coach with a BA in Women’s Studies (now Gender Studies)/English and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Media. She speaks on creativity + writing, and develops non-fiction books with clients both 1:1 and in group programs. Tamara has edited 55+ books, both freelance for self-published authors, as well as for Hay House UK. A Hills native, she has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for most of her life, minus some stints living in inner Melbourne and in Paris.
Leanne Margaret
Leanne Margaret is a writer, teacher and dancer. She is the author of two self-published books about meditation and human consciousness. Leanne is currently editing her third book, a memoir about trauma. Her writing is inspired by the highs and lows of life and love, the cycles of nature, and the solace of mysticism.
Charisse Ede
Charisse has more than 30 years’ experience as a journalist, communications and media strategist and university feature writing lecturer. She has a Masters in Writing and Literature, is co-writing a book about pain and adversity, and is working on her own work of fiction. She loves reading crime, historical fiction and biographies, doing pilates, travelling and sharing great food with friends and family. Charisse has lived in the Dandenongs most of her life and is now enjoying sharing the beauty and spirit of the Hills with her family.
Aaron Lamb
Aaron Lamb has published five novels and one children’s book. One of his novels is set in a fictional version of the Dandenong Ranges, and he writes at the Patch General Store at any opportunity he gets. He has spoken extensively on the topic of self-publishing on ABC RN, RRR and at the Emerging Writers Festival.
Pauline Hosking
Originally from New Zealand, Pauline has worked as a teacher, teacher librarian, journalist, theatre publicist, TV script assistant, theatre director and theatre producer. A number of her plays have been performed by professional companies.
She has written three books for middle-grade readers. Two featured Cinnamon Stevens, a twelve-year-old super sleuth. Her new book, out this year, is a fantasy/adventure Ana and the Bones of Prophecy.
Claire and Matt Lupica
Claire and Matt Lupica run the much-loved independent bookshop the Belgrave Bookbarn, where they’ve created a welcoming space for readers of all ages. With decades of bookselling experience, they’re passionate about fostering curiosity, community, and a love of reading. Known for championing local authors and diverse stories, they’re proud to be part of Belgrave’s vibrant literary culture.
Kathie Thomas, Webmaster
Kathie Thomas is a local in the Dandenong Ranges, a published author, nature and bird photographer, and previously a business owner who created websites for others during her work-life. Now retired, she enjoys her photography hobby, as well as writing books, and loves to help out locally. Having loved writing all her life, she published her first real book in 2007 and has published several others since.
Christine Yunn-Yu Sun
Taiwan-born and Melbourne-based, Christine Yunn-Yu Sun is a writer, translator, reader, reviewer, journalist and independent scholar in English and Chinese languages. Her creative, journalistic and academic writings have appeared in a wide range of publications in Australia and overseas. Since February 2021, she has been hosting the weekly column “Passion for Prose” for The Star Mail (part of the Star News Group), reviewing and recommending Australian and international authors as well as literary trends and events.
Jenny Brooks
As a bookkeeper and avid reader, when Jenny heard about the Dandenong Ranges Literary festival, she was delighted by the prospect of volunteering to be the committee treasurer. Jenny has lived in Ferntree Gully for the past 12 years, and is also a founding member of the Last Thursday Book Club, (which is where she heard about the festival). Jenny is excited to help, meet, and share her love of literature with other people in the larger community.
Zita Norton, Virtual Assistant and Web Designer
Zita has been working as a virtual assistant since 2018, with a love for web and graphic design in particular. She’s worked for several published & self-published authors over the last eight years, has co-written a fantasy novel (unpublished), and is currently in the early stages of writing her first solo book. Zita is neurodivergent and a lover of crafts, warm summer evenings and house plants.
