Fairy Tale Rings

Cinderella by Debra Phillips
Cinderella and the Pumpkin Vine by Debra Phillips
FTR title only with flourish

Different fairy tales are explored five times a year – February, April, July, September, and November – representing one each from the Grimm brothers, a popular European fairy tale culture (French, Arabian, Norwegian), an obscure European culture, non-European, and Australian (which is the most challenging).

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

July 2026The Eagle and Whale Husbands; The Amaarsisartoq and the Shaman (Greenland)
September 2026East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Norway); Mr Simigdáli (Greek)
November 2026Faithful John (Grimms); The Raven (Basile, Italy)
February 2027Isle of Vines (Australia’s first fairy tale, 1858); Water of Life (Grimms)
April 2027Flying Canoe (Canadian); Beauty and the Beast (Canadian)
July 2027To be advised
September 2027To be advised

Magic Mirror

A laptop with the AFTS logo on the screen sits inside an oval frame. Underneath is a gum leaf bearing the words 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

July 2026The Eagle and Whale Husbands; The Amaarsisartoq and the Shaman (Greenland)
SeptemberEast of the Sun, West of the Moon (Norway); Mr Simigdáli (Greek)
NovemberFaithful John (Grimms); The Raven (Basile, Italy)
February 2027Isle of Vines (1858, first Australian fairy tale); Water of Life (Grimms)
April Flying Canoe (Canadian); Beauty and the Beast (Canadian)
JulyTo be announced

Adelaide

Inside an oval frame, a winged girl with curly toed boots leans back against a gum tree. A towsled bird perches in the tree. A tied bag sits on the path by the girl, which leads into distant hills. Under the oval, a gum leaf holds the text Adelaide Fairy Tale Ring.

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

Brisbane

An oval frame contains a crowned reader sitting on a rock reading a book which is floating away from their hands. Below their feet frun a river which flows to the Story Bridge and behind them is a city skyline. Underneath the oval is a gum leaf inscribed Brisbane Fairy Tale Ring.

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

Inside a blue oval a bird flies over a river towards mountains under a sunset. Under the picture is a gum leaf with a gum nut and the leaf is inscribed Canberra Fairy Tale Ring.

Ring Leade: Emma Woods
Location: Smiths Alternative
Time: 12-2pm, last Saturday in Jan, March, May, July, Sept, Nov.
Cost: Free
Contact: dr.emmajanewoods@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

Neatly contained in an oval frame, a colourful cottage nestles in between trees with the moon rising above. A gum leaf underneath holds the text Sydney Fairy Tale Ring.

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: johenwood0@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

A very cute seahorse curls inside an oval frame. A gum leaf underneath contains the text Victoria Fairy Tale Ring.

Ring Leader: Patsy Poppenbeek
Location: Varies
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
Contact: austfairytales@gmail.com

One thought on “Fairy Tale Rings”

  1. Pingback: Beauty and the Beast – Our Fairy Tale for November | australian fairy tale society

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