True Story Festival 2025

Schedule

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025 at 01:00 pm to Sun, 16 Nov, 2025 at 04:00 pm

UTC+11:00

Location

Coledale Community Hall, Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale NSW, Australia | Wollongong, NS

Advertisement
Welcome to True Story Festival a showcase of some of the best creative non-fiction writing in Australia today.
This year’s festival navigates a world in the middle of a series of convulsions and changes that are disruptive uncomfortable and often divisive. In response Festival Directors Caroline Baum and Sarah Nicholson have curated informed and considered conversations as well as some that provide a respite from conflict.
Stella Prize-winning historian Clare Wright delivers the keynote address sharing what it took to achieve an unlikely democratic landmark through a series of bark paintings inviting us to imagine what else might be possible.
Anthony Sharwood revisits the heroism of Polish freedom fighter Tadeusz Kosciuszko to find out why his name is on our tallest peak; fishing enthusiast Vicki Hastrich tells the forgotten story of how the world’s richest author American Zane Grey came to Bermagui in pursuit of deep-sea glory.
Historian Sita Sargeant founder of She Shapes History guides a tour through Wollongong to celebrate the lives of women whose names we should know; and for a darker perspective on the city Erik Eklund examines the very shadowy life of our most controversial former Wollongong mayor Frank Arkell.
And that’s just for starters…
There’s so much more for you to discover over two days of the best non-fiction from around Australia!
FULL PROGRAM RELEASED ON 23 SEPTEMBER.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Coledale Community Hall, Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale NSW, Australia, 745 Lawrence Hargrave Drive Coledale NSW 2515, Wollongong, Australia

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

South Coast Writers Centre

Host or Publisher South Coast Writers Centre

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Wollongong

Don\u2019t Stop - Songs of Fleetwood Mac - Berkeley Sports Club
Sat, 15 Nov at 10:00 am Don’t Stop - Songs of Fleetwood Mac - Berkeley Sports Club

Berkeley Sports Club

SPORTS MUSIC
Cassidy-Rae \u2013 Good Night Tour
Sat, 15 Nov at 10:00 am Cassidy-Rae – Good Night Tour

Cnr Crown & Kembla Sts, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

MUSIC PARTIES
Scarecrows & Souvenirs
Sat, 15 Nov at 10:30 am Scarecrows & Souvenirs

272 Lawrence Hargave Drive, Thirroul, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2515

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
DICEY\u2019S SATURDAYS W\/ ARCHIE \/\/ THE CHORDROYS \/\/ THE SOOKY LA LA'S
Sat, 15 Nov at 11:00 am DICEY’S SATURDAYS W/ ARCHIE // THE CHORDROYS // THE SOOKY LA LA'S

Dicey Riley's Hotel

An evening with Premier League referee Graham Poll
Sat, 15 Nov at 02:00 pm An evening with Premier League referee Graham Poll

The Fraternity Club

PERFORMANCES SPORTS
Illawarra Convoy 2025
Sat, 15 Nov at 11:00 pm Illawarra Convoy 2025

Illawarra Regional Airport

2025-26 Hungry Jacks NBL Season - Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings
Sun, 16 Nov at 04:30 am 2025-26 Hungry Jacks NBL Season - Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings

WIN Entertainment Centre

SPORTS
BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: DUMPLINGS & SPRING ROLLS + JAPANESE SLIPPERS & DAIQUIRIS
Sun, 16 Nov at 04:30 am BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: DUMPLINGS & SPRING ROLLS + JAPANESE SLIPPERS & DAIQUIRIS

226 Crown Street, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

BOTTOMLESS-BRUNCHES BRUNCH
Holiday Island
Wed, 08 Oct at 12:00 am Holiday Island

32 Burelli Street, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

ART THEATRE
OKTOBERFEST 2025
Wed, 08 Oct at 02:00 am OKTOBERFEST 2025

81 Meadow St, Tarrawanna, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2518

OKTOBERFEST
The Parent\/Teacher Interview - By Ben Knight
Thu, 09 Oct at 09:30 am The Parent/Teacher Interview - By Ben Knight

61 Church St, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

COMEDY FESTIVALS
Mi-Sex
Fri, 10 Oct at 08:30 am Mi-Sex

28 Stewart St, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Geek Markets: Wollongong
Fri, 10 Oct at 11:00 pm Geek Markets: Wollongong

UOW UniHall

BUSINESS EXHIBITIONS
ILLAWARRA Relay For Life 2025
Fri, 10 Oct at 11:00 pm ILLAWARRA Relay For Life 2025

UOW Innovation Campus

CHARITIES
Five Barrel Sessions w\/ ROBBIE G
Sat, 11 Oct at 07:00 am Five Barrel Sessions w/ ROBBIE G

Five Barrel Brewing

MUSIC FESTIVALS
Kevin Borich Express
Sat, 11 Oct at 08:30 am Kevin Borich Express

Sorrento Room - Centro CBD - Wollongong

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Wollongong Comedy October - Chris Ryan
Sat, 11 Oct at 09:30 am Wollongong Comedy October - Chris Ryan

61 Church St, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, New South Wales 2500

COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT
Porpoise Spit National Tour at La La La\u2019s with Second Idol and The Midnight Tides
Sat, 11 Oct at 09:30 am Porpoise Spit National Tour at La La La’s with Second Idol and The Midnight Tides

La La La's

ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCES
The Go Twos CD launch & Paul Lloyd Nicholas all the way from Wales.
Sun, 12 Oct at 04:30 am The Go Twos CD launch & Paul Lloyd Nicholas all the way from Wales.

Thirroul Railway Institute Hall

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Wollongong?

Discover Wollongong Events