Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that Byron Writers Festival takes place on the traditional lands of the Arakwal Bumberbin Peoples of the Bundjalung Nation. We pay respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge them as the original storytellers of the lands and waterways of this Country.

Writer

Luke Patterson

Luke Patterson is a Gamilaroi poet, educator and musician living on Gadigal lands. His poetry has appeared in Cordite Poetry Review, Plumwood Mountain, Rabbit, Running Dog and The Suburban Review, and in the anthologies Active Aesthetics, Firefront: First Nations Poetry and Power Today and Best of Australian Poems 2025. His research and creative practice are grounded in extensive work with First Nations and other community-based organisations across Australia. His debut poetry collection, A Savage Turn, is out now with Magabala Books.

Byron Writers Festival '25

Join us from 8—10 August at Bangalow Showground on Bundjalung Country

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