Only a month ago, seventy fairytalers – the largest number to attend any in-person AFTS conference so far – gathered together in Sydney for two glorious days of ideas, insights, inspiration, creativity, collaborations, and connections at Over Water, Under Water, Magical Waters of Fairy Tales.
From the time the whales breached in the ocean outside our window during the welcome to the last mesmerising words of Kate Forsyth’s storytelling, we delighted in a rich and varied program. This succeeded in stimulating fresh, exciting responses – as well as being lots of fun!
Prince Henry Centre at Little Bay was the perfect venue for our water-themed conference, where we were welcomed to country by Aunty Barb Simms, local Bidjigal woman and Aboriginal health worker.
Demelza Carlton’s keynote address took us over water on voyages across the seas to source fresh visions for old fairy tales, and discover new magical tales dwelling under our own Australian waters; an invigorating introduction to all that followed.
Supported by Joe Vandermeer’s technical expertise and unfailing support, we enjoyed talks that varied in perspective from geologist Molly O’Neill, artist Erin-Claire Barrow, Jungian psychologist Lisa Ritchie,
as well as panels that plumbed the depths (Camille Booker, Molly O’Neill, Kell Woods) or sailed wildly – and hilariously – off course (Barbie Robinson’s chairing of a panel that was not about Magic Tears.
There were song performances (Eliane Morel), poetry (Alexandra McCallum), and many storytellers including Laura Fulton, Jill Webster, Jo Henwood, and Kate Forsyth.
We crested waves with a water dragon (Theresa Fuller), sailed across empires (Priti Modyiyer), and were cast low with Andersen’s unrequited love (Dr Kate Forsyth). We played with Dr Louise Phillips, blew bubbles and drew with sparklers while eating home-made AFTS birthday cake (baked by Liz Locksley), and made fairy jigsaws and took mermaid photos.
We dived into the possibilities of creating original Australian fairy tales for the new AFTS anthology West of the Moon, with Laura Fulton and Melanie Hill. The anthology’s cover art is by our own conference artist, Helen McCosker.
We seized the opportunities to buy books, art and merchandise in whimsically-decorated stalls (Granny Fi) and we ate. We ate a lot, thanks to Serene Conneeley and Liz Locksley for supplying the food, and Graham Harman for providing the plates. Most of all, we talked.
The conference gave us the chance to celebrate our community, including AFTS Award winner Spike Deane – a renowned glass artist, graphic designer, and website wizard.
The high attendance is a measure of success, because it was matched by genuine connection, and the authenticity of friendships consolidated by our time together – and those who continued the conversation at each after-conference dinner.
Huge congratulations and many thanks to all the talented presenters and hard-working behind-the-scenes people, and the AFTS members who helped with an early set-up and late pack-down, and to AFTS co-founder Reilly McCarron for sharing her photos with us.
And to You, who make hosting a conference worthwhile.
Serene Conneeley, Jo Henwood, Liz Locksley
2025 Conference Steering Committee
Australian Fairy Tale Society 