Whole Shebang Festival Pass

All access to Berninneit sessions
Friday 21 August - Sunday 23 August

Saturday Day Pass

All access to Berninneit sessions*
Saturday 22 August

*does not include the 7:30pm performance by Brian Nankervis.

Sunday Day Pass

All access to Berninneit sessions
Sunday 23 August

Markus Zusak (with music by Rosie Westbrook)

Three Wild Dogs and The Truth
7:30pm - 8:30pm Friday 21 August

A magical evening of words and music - international bestselling author Markus Zusak reads his memoir, Three Wild Dogs and the Truth, with music by Rosie Westbrook.

Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak in Conversation
9:00am - 9:45am Saturday 22 August

Author of The Book Thief (17 million+ copies sold), Markus Zusak speaks with Madeleine Stuchbery about his life and his books.

Chris Hammer

Outback Noir
10:00am - 10:45am Saturday 22 August

Chris Hammer, best-selling crime novelist, discusses the idea of writing novels where the landscape itself is a character. With our often complicated sense of the past, does the land and its history play a role in a writer’s work?

Darren Mort

Saving the children
11:00am - 11:45am Saturday 22 August

Family law barrister, novelist, and founder of  ‘To Be Loved Network’, Darren Mort talks about divorce and how we can protect the wellbeing of children caught in the middle. Enjoy ‘Millie,’ a 12-minute inspirational film.

Jane Edmanson

Why do people garden?
1:00pm - 1:45pm Saturday 22 August

Why does gardening bring such joy? Renowned gardening expert Jane Edmanson asks, and answers, the important questions about this beloved pastime.

Antoinette Lattouf

Outspoken women or can we talk about Gaza yet?
2:00pm - 2:45pm Saturday 22 August

Journalist and human rights advocate Antoinette Lattouf talks about her book ‘Women who Win’ and justice, the ABC, and women who refuse to stay quiet.

Andrew Rule

Chopper’s Ghost
3:00pm - 3:45pm Saturday 22 August

Why is true crime so popular? Having co-written the Chopper Read books and chronicled the extraordinary crime wave that was Melbourne ‘90s Underbelly, Andrew Rule knows where the bodies are buried.

Brian Nankervis

The Beach House Years
7:30pm - 8:30pm Saturday 22 August*

In this big-hearted theatrical experience, Brian transports us through the joys and disappointments, the loves and losses, and the raucous nights of the Findlay family as they come together each year. *Not included in the Saturday day pass

Andrew Dodd & Matthew Ricketson

Getting Murdoched
9:00am - 9:45am Sunday 23 August

Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson discuss their unsettling but meticulously documented new book, Getting Murdoched: How Murdoch's Media Wields Power and Punishment.

Travis Lovett & Jack Latimore

Walk for Truth
10:00am - 10:45am Sunday 23 August

Travis Lovett speaks to journalist Jack Latimore about his 905km ‘Walk for Truth’ to deliver a message of truth-telling, healing, and meaningful change to the prime minister. 6,000 others joined him along the way to support his call.

Sean Dooley

The Big Twitch: Are birds worth watching?
11:00am - 11:45am Sunday 23 August

Sean Dooley is the bird man: Author, ABC presenter, Birdlife Australia representative, and former national birdwatching champion. He shares his insights on birdwatching and life with Brian Nankervis.

Olivia Tolich, Bridie Blake & Sandi Wallace

What is a book genre anyway?
1:00pm - 1:45pm Sunday 23 August

Crime? Romance? Fantasy? Thriller? What is a book genre anyway? Authors Olivia Tolich, Bridie Blake, and Sandi Wallace talk about what they write and why.

Alli Parker

You can be lucky
2:00pm - 2:45pm Sunday 23 August

Alli Parker, Japanese/Australian novelist, editor, screenwriter, and best-selling author of ‘At The Foot of The Cherry Tree’ and ‘When The Red Leaves Fall’ talks to Mary Anne Butler about writing fiction out of your own life’s experiences.

John Wood

How I clawed my way to the middle
3:00pm - 3:45pm Sunday 23 August

John Wood with fellow actor Gil Tucker swap insider stories about the golden years of Australia’s entertainment industry. Life, and television, was different back then.

Lunchbox Add-on

Option for either Saturday, Sunday, or both

We’ve made your festival lunch easier this year. Pre-purchase a lunchbox and we’ll sort the rest. Let us know your dietary requirements upon booking.

FREE Children’s Event

Waddle Squad Reading
11:00am - 11:45am Saturday 22 August

Liz Allen will host a reading of her book ‘Waddle Squad' in the Phillip Island library. Designed for children, this free event will engage young minds to develop a love for wildlife. *No ticket required.

FREE Children’s Event

A to Z of Botany Reading
11:00am - 11:45am Sunday 23 August

Qualified botanist Jessica Moulynox will host a reading of her book ‘A to Z of Botany' in the Phillip Island library. In a world full of screens and technology, The A to Z of Botany reconnects readers with nature through curiosity, botanical science discovery, and hands-on learning activities. *No ticket required.

Breakfast & Bird Walk

with Sean Dooley
6:45am - 8:45am Sunday 23 August

Join ABC 774’s Birdman Sean Dooley for a dawn walk followed by breakfast. Muster at the end of McIllwraith Road, Rhyll. Includes a post-walk breakfast in Cowes. *Only 30 tickets.