Voices on the Range attracts award-winning author

One of Australia's finest children's and young adult authors Ursula Dubosarsky will take local school students on a journey through her award-winning novel The Red Shoe when she attends the Voices on the Range: A Youth Cultural Festival this Friday 11 May 2007.

Mrs Dubosarsky is just one of 15 prominent artists attending the annual festival, which will be held at USQ.

USQ Education Lecturer Janice Jones said that the festival was aimed at encouraging primary and secondary students to pursue a career in the arts, under the theme of Stepping into Stories.

'We want to inspire the students through holding workshops on writing, playmaking, singing and film writing,' Mrs Jones said.

'It is for high school students and primary school children as well and while they are here they will hear from a number of famous authors and influential local and national people.'

Award-winning journalist Mark Willacy, a USQ graduate, will also be on hand and will address the thousands of students who are expected to attend.

'Mark Willacy is an ABC journalist and former foreign correspondent is coming to speak about journalism,' Mrs Jones said.

'There were around 2000 students at the festival last year and we are expecting that there will be more this year to hear from these inspiring artists.'

Students from St Ursula's College, St Saviour's College, St Joseph's College, Toowoomba Grammar School, Fairholme College, Harristown SHS, Toowoomba SHS and Centenary Heights SHS are taking part in the festival.

'This is a combined effort on the part of Toowoomba schools, USQ and the Toowoomba City Council library,' Mrs Jones said.

Please find attached the event flyer and workshop program detailing the various presenters and session times.

Media are welcome to attend the event.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628