Watch this video to see highlights of the 2018 Inspiracy Festival
Watch this video to learn more about the Inspiracy Festival

Thursday 17 May – Inspiracy Opening Night & Film Comp Awards
VENUE – Adamstown Uniting Church, 228 Brunker Rd Adamstown (corner of Glebe Rd)
- FREE EVENT
7PM
Opening night refreshments at Adamstown Uniting Church.
7.30PM
Performance with spoken word poet and singer Nardean.
8PM
Premiere screening of the Film Competition Finalists and Award of Prizes.

SACRED EARTH
Conversations in Ecotheology
A conversation that connects science and theology, land and climate, Australia and the Pacific, ethics and action, set in Newcastle: one of the largest exporters of coal to the world.
FRIDAY 18 MAY 9AM – 4PM
Friday 18 May – Sacred Earth – Conversations in Ecotheology
VENUE – Adamstown Uniting Church, 228 Brunker Rd Adamstown (corner of Glebe Rd)
- TICKETED EVENT UNLESS SPECIFIED
9AM
Dr Dianne Rayson setting the scene – with Dr Penny Dunstan artist.
Dr Anne Elvey, Embodied Reading with Earth: Sensory engagements with the Gospel of Luke.
10AM
Dr Mick Pope – A Climate of Hope: Church and Mission in a Warming World.
11.30AM
Panel discussion with Mick Pope and Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi.
12.30PM
LUNCH – Delicious vegetarian lunch provided.
1.15PM
Jessica Morthorpe, Showcasing climate action in Churches.
1.30PM WORKSHOPS
Choice of one workshop:
A > Dr Anne Elvey, Climate Change Poetry: How do Poets Respond to Climate Change
B > Dr Jason John, The Futures: Religious and Secular
C > Dr Mick Pope, A Climate of Justice: Loving our Neighbour in a Warming World
2.30PM WORKSHOPS
Choice of one workshop:
A > Thea Ormerod, Interfaith Activism
B > Dr Byron Smith, Emotional Responses to Ecological Crisis: Following Jesus on a wounded Planet
C > Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi (Tonga) and Tebeio Tamaton (Kiribati), Pacific Climate Change Responses
4PM – 5PM
Gathering Forum, book launch and refreshments.
You’re welcome to head to a local restaurant for dinner. Let us know if you’d like some suggestions.
7PM
- FREE EVENT
Wine and cheese reception followed by guests panelists at 7.30pm.
Can Art, Poetry or Music change Anything?
A lively conversation facilitated by curator and art historian Dr Rod Pattenden, with Dr Penny Dunstan artist, Dr Anne Elvey poet, Andrew Styan installation artist and Luke Vassella award winning musician and songwriter.
Saturday 19 May
DAY VENUE – Merewether Uniting Church, 178 Glebe Rd Merewether
EVENING VENUE FROM 5PM – Adamstown Uniting Church, 228 Brunker Rd Adamstown (corner of Glebe Rd)
- TICKETED EVENTS UNLESS SPECIFIED
8.30AM
BREAKFAST – Delicious gourmet breakfast at Merewether Uniting Church.
9.30AM
Keynote presentation Phil Glendenning, President Australian Refugee Council, Working for the Common Good – The Challenge and Hope for Australia and its Citizens.
(A special family activity will run alongside this session –SUPER HEROES workshop with Lucinda Neave. We all know that super heroes have super powers, right? Did you know that you have super powers too?
10.30AM
MORNING TEA
11AM WORKSHOPS
Choice of one workshop:
A > Mick Pope – A Climate of Justice: Loving our neighbour in a warming world.
B > Anne Elvey – Writing as Activism; Poetries of Resistance and Recuperation
C > Raising Ethical Kids Forum: Nurturing kindness, respect and compassion. An opportunity to share ideas and ideals, and to learn from each other in developing ethical kids. With Meredith Lindsay (Primary School Principal), Lu Quade (singer), Stella Dyer (clinical psychologist), chaired by Dr. Elizabeth Pepper (medical practitioner).
(A special family activity program will run alongside this session – The Good Earth workshop for children will reinforce the wonder, essential goodness and value of our amazing planet earth. Through creative craft activities children will explore the creation story and their joint responsibility to care for the earth. Led by Catherine Beeton who has wide experience in family and children’s work.)
12.30PM
LUNCH – Vegetarian lunch from international food stalls.
1.30PM WORKSHOPS
Choice of one workshop:
A > Sustainable Living, Jane Tonks and Catherine (Peps) Pepper will share their journey towards back-yard sustainability through the lens of doing the things they’re passionate about, and having lots of fun along the way.
B > Advocacy: Some useful Tools and Strategies, Stafford Sanders and Jon O’Brien. Practical tools to help you purposefully speak and act for change on the issues you care about. It’s important in any action to understand the problem (and what part you are focussing on) and who can change it.
C > An Aboriginal Lens, Saretta Fielding, Aboriginal artist will explore themes in her work responding to land and culture.
2.40PM
AFTERNOON TEA
3PM WORKSHOPS
Choice of one workshop:
A > Local Pathways to Change, an interactive workshop with local climate justice activists equipping individuals with knowledge to affect on the ground issues in Newcastle – George Woods, Steve Phillips, Naomi Hodgson and Tim Buchanan.
B > Community gardens are a great way to connect with nature, produce food organically and reduce your carbon footprint. This workshop will use the experience of a number of community garden enthusiasts to share their experiences growing vegetables and community in their neighbourhoods. With Mark Toohey and Lawrie Hallinan.
C > Heathy Food Healthy Planet: Connecting our Plate with our Planet, with Jessica Morthorpe, environmental activist.
4.10PM
Gathering Plenary – Facilitated by Garry Derkenne.
5PM – 6PM
- FREE EVENT
SING UP JUSTICE! at Adamstown Uniting Church – An exhilarating vocal workshop with songwriter Trish Watts.
7PM – 10.30PM
CAFE EXPRESSO in the Dungeon at Adamstown Uniting Church with special guests:
Trish Watts and the ‘Inspiracy Singers’ (pop up choir)
Heather Price, passionate singer and songwriter
Roje Ndayambaje, African born spoken word poet
Rachel Collis, lyrical voice with original songs
Berias Masseque and the Afro Fusion Band, up and dancing!
(Delicious gourmet snacks and refreshments available to purchase at Expresso)
Sunday 20 May
VARIOUS VENUES ACROSS NEWCASTLE
- FREE EVENTS
9AM
Sunday worship services in local churches with key presenters.
2PM – 4.30PM
Sacred Earth, Sacred Voice workshop with Trish Watts*
Vocal workshop with Trish Watts at Adamstown Uniting Church hall – singing changes the landscapes between ourselves and our earth – creating harmony, respect, courage and capacity. Enjoy singing with others voices seeking ease, freedom and justice. Click to view the Workshops flier.
*Please note: this workshop is not included in the festival ticketing.
Tickets $25/20 conc. Purchase workshop ticket at Trybooking.
TICKETS
Book Inspiracy Festival tickets online.
Choose from the four day pass, day registration and part-time registration options.
N.B. Tickets available at the door for select single sessions only (and subject to availability). Pre-booking online is strongly recommended. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door for Expresso in the Dungeon on Saturday night.
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TICKET A – Four Day Pass $100/80
All sessions including Friday lunch, Saturday breakfast and lunch
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TICKET B – Friday Pass // Sacred Earth $55/45
Includes all Friday sessions and a delicious vegetarian lunch
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TICKET C – Saturday Pass $50/40
All Saturday sessions including breakfast, lunch and entry to Expresso.
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TICKET D – Saturday Morning $30/20/10
Includes delicious breakfast and two sessions. Special $10 rate for children's program, includes breakfast plus all materials for two sessions.
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TICKET E – Saturday Lunch $15/12
Vegetarian lunch from international food stalls
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TICKET F – Saturday Afternoon $15/12
Two afternoon sessions and afternoon tea
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TICKET G – Saturday Expresso only $10/5
Entry to Expresso only.
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TICKET H – Single Session only $10/5
Choose from one session on Friday or Saturday.