Emerson Hudson, 11, Meredith Thomas, 10, Georgia Grant, 9, and Lilyanne Freitag, 12.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Goulburn Valley’s young creatives have spent their school holidays writing up a storm at A Little Messy Productions’ inaugural workshop series, Imagine, Create, Collaborate — Inspired by the Seasons.
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Held over three vibrant days at The Connection at KidsTown, the workshop offered a space where imagination could thrive, friendships could bloom and stories could grow from seeds of inspiration.
Led by educators and theatre-makers Danae Napier and Chris Dainton, the series invited young writers to explore nature, nurture their unique voices and connect through the joy of storytelling.
With the scenic bushland as both backdrop and muse, participants launched their own Writer’s Notebooks, experimenting with literary devices such as metaphor, simile, repetition and imagery.
Day one began with group introductions and a nature walk to gather inspiration, both literally and figuratively.
Students shared ideas, brainstormed story seeds and built connections with each other and their mentors.
“It was all about noticing, imagining and connecting,” co-founder Danae said.
“It was made even more special by the return of some of our previous students — sharing their own writing journeys and offering gentle mentorship to the new storytellers in the group.”
Hope took centre stage on day two, inspired by the picture book Hope is the Thing by Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner.
The session invited participants to reflect on their personal interpretations of hope through poetic language.
The final day brought a special guest — acclaimed local author Di Walker, whose novels Unpacking Harper Holt, Every Thing We Keep and Saving Charli have captivated young readers.
Di offered a behind-the-scenes look into her writer’s notebooks, drafts and editing process.
She also worked one-on-one with participants, gently guiding their stories forward.
“Di’s generosity and belief in young voices truly lit up the room,” Danae said.
“Even some of our most timid students worked up the courage to read their work aloud to her.”
A Little Messy Productions was launched earlier this year with the original theatre production Our Climbing Tree.
The organisation focuses on creating opportunities for young people in the arts and encouraging personal growth through storytelling.
“It’s about more than just the writing,” Danae said.
“It’s about belonging, expression and building a creative community that lifts each other up.”
To find out more about A Little Messy Productions, visit its Facebook page.
Biyala
A poem written by Riley Wooster, 14, at the workshop. It’s a piece inspired by the seasons and nature.
Proudly the sentinel stands,
Holding close whispered secrets.
Carried by ancient winds,
Belonging to the rich earth.
Foundations gnarled,
Twisted like elderly hands.
Bound by duty to watch over,
To forever protect.
The shadows of traditional people,
Bathed in the dappled light.
Sun reaching through the canopy,
Speckled leaves in hues of green.
Bark shedding like snake skin,
Revealing a pale inner glow.
Shimmering like moonlight,
Against the dark cloak it wears.
A magnificent contrast,
Against the blood red depths.
Its hollows a refuge,
Raucously defended by nesting parrots.
Humming with hives,
Nectar seeking bees.
Feasting in swarms,
Upon white spring blossoms.
Seasons come and go, time passes,
Floods and fires, devastating droughts.
The Red River Gum withstands it all,
The world forever changing.
Biyala stands still,
Loyal guardian of its land.
Bill Barclay, 13, holds a picnic basket full of collected natural elements.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Eli Thomas, 9, gathers inspiration for his drawing.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Kyla Burney, 11 sketches an observation of the collected seeds.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Sofia Napier, 13, finds the right angle to draw her depiction of a horizon.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Ollie Napier, 10, gathers ideas from a book.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Méabh Redmond, 8, with her writing journal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Phoenix McAuliffe, 11, nature journaling outside.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Dempsey Mitchell, 10, enjoys the sunshine.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
