Different fairy tales are explored five times a year: February, April, July, September, and November.

Fairy Tale Rings discuss the feature tale’s history and variants, meanings, and Australian perspective. Rings also feature storytelling, displays, and a chance to find out what is happening in the Fairy Tale world today.

Members receive resources of Bibliographies and Points to Ponder which stimulate discussion at Fairy Tale Ring meetings. Members who can’t get to a physical Ring can join the online discussion in the Magic Mirrors via Zoom.

Full of texts to study, books, news, and other media to reference – all with a particular emphasis on the tale’s relationship to Australia – resources of previously explored fairy tales are fonts of useful information for anyone studying or working with the tale in any form! Members can find these reading lists in the Members’ Section at Fairy Tale Biblios and Points to Ponder.

We continue to grow locally-run Rings around the country, so please don’t hesitate to contact our ‘Ring Maiden’, Jo Henwood, email austfairytales@gmail.com to find out what’s happening closest to you, or ask about forming a new Ring.

Upcoming fairy tales

November 2025	The Sixteenth Brolga (Holly Ringland – Australia)
February 2026	The First Mosquito; The Moon Boy (Vietnam)
April 2026	The Queen’s Necklace in Jolly Calle and Other Swedish Fairy Tales, Helena Nyblom (Sweden)
July 2026	The Eagle and Whale Husbands; The Amaarsisartoq and the Shaman (Greenland)
September 2026	East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Norway); Mr Simigdáli (Greek)
November 2026	Faithful John (Grimms); The Raven (Basile, Italy)
February 2027	Isle of Vines (1858, first Australian fairy tale); Water of Life (Grimms)

Magic Mirror

Ring Leader – Alexandra Larach
Location – Zoom
Time –  1.30-4.30 AEDT
Cost – Free for members.
If you would like to discover what we’re like before joining AFTS, please email austfairytales@gmail.com for the link.

Upcoming Magic Mirror discussions

April 27, 2025	Kovlad: The Lost Child (Slavic) and The Glass Coffin (Grimms – German)
July 27	Hans My Hedgehog (Grimms)
September 27	Master Maid (Norwegian); The Bee and the Orange Tree (Mme d’Aulnoy – French)
November 22	The Sixteenth Brolga (Holly Ringland – Australia)
February 2026	The First Mosquito; The Moon Boy (Vietnamese)
April 2026	The Queen’s Necklace in Helena Nyblom’s ‘Jolly Calle and Other Swedish Fairy Tales’ (Sweden)

Adelaide

Ring Leader –  Graham Ross
Location – at the home of different members
Time – variable weekend afternoons
Cost – Non-members $5
Contact austfairytales@gmail.com

Brisbane

Ring Leaders – Kathryn Gossow and Bettina Nissen
Location – State Library of Queensland
Time – Third Saturday of selected months
Cost – Non-members $5
Visit Brisbane Fairy Tale Ring Facebook group for details

Canberra

Ring Leader – TBA
Location – 
Time –  
Cost – Non-members $5
Contact austfairytales@gmail.com

Illawarra

Ring Leader – Pat Simmons
Location – Martin’s Cafe, Thirroul
Time – Last Thursday of each month
Cost – Non-members $5
Note: We explore different fairy tales from what the rest of the AFTS covers.
Contact tricia.simmons@hotmail.com

Perth

Ring Leader – Christine della Vedova
Location can vary, but will be at a Perth cafe near public transport.
Time – Saturday 10am, four times a year.
Note – Our community nominates and votes on which fairy tales we review.
Cost – free
Details at Australian Fairy Tale Society Perth Ring

Sydney

Ring Leader: Jo Henwood
Location – Don Bank Museum, 6 Napier St, North Sydney
Time – 1.30-4.30pm usually the first Saturday of the month
Cost to cover venue hire –  Members $7 Non-members $10
Contact johenwood@gmail.com

Magic Movies afternoons to watch and discuss significant fairy tale films from around the world.
Usually third Sunday (March, June, October): 1.30-4.30pm at Don Bank Museum
Cost to cover venue hire – $10pp

Victoria

Ring Leader – Patsy Poppenbeek
Location – varies
Time – varies
Cost – varies
Contact austfairytales@gmail.com