Julian Assange

I must admit I knew very little about Julian Assange before going to the Bendigo Writers Festival. I knew he started WikiLeaks, I knew he was cooped up in an embassy somewhere and I knew he was Australian. Most of all I knew he was a big deal and the fact that we got to speak with him was a historical moment. I decided to do some research on him before the broadcast because I wanted to understand what he would be telling us. Appropriately enough i did a quick Wikipedia search on him and boy, am I glad I had some knowledge up my sleeve.

On entering the Ulumbarra Theatre there was a real buzz in the air, everyone's curiosities were peaking, what would he say? would there be any difficulties connecting with him in his Ecuadorian embassy prison? how much information would he divulge?

 We were greeted by Robert Manne, the interviewer who sat in a grand armchair to the side of the stage. On connection with Assange there was an immediate sense of success and awe only to be matched by a sense of disbelief that he was actually in front of us. Manne was the perfect interviewer, only chiming in when Assange intermittently stopped to take a breath. Assange tackle the questions with a sense of urgency, in a very level headed manner he responded with lengthy and detailed answers. He maintained his integrity whilst impassionedly advocating his decisions and purpose.

Assange had the whole crowd engrossed and on his side, the audience sporadically yelling out cries of support which were met with smiles and few tears on Assange’s behalf. The gravity of the situation really hitting home to everyone in the theatre. Assange acknowledged that he would never be a free man and realizing that if he were to get out he would not last long due to the powers that be having a hit out on him. A real turning point of the interview was Manne breezing over the “Sweden incident” but Assange with conviction opted to discuss in detail the incident only to prove his innocence. Those in the audience who questioning his involvement left the theatre with resolve.

 There is no question in my mind that Julian Assange is an integral part bringing the truths of the world to light. We are so censored from the inner workings of this world and it takes a sacrificial lamb like Assange to open our eyes and stand up for our basic human rights. I was truly honored to be a part of this historical moment.

Why am I here?

Coming into the Bendigo Writers Festival I honestly didn’t prepare like I had intended. I didn’t really know what to expect but I had an undeniable sense of excitement with in me that I didn’t quite understand. Perhaps it stemmed from the fact that this time I would be embarking on this intensive subject relatively alone. Unlike my previous trips to Bendigo for Exhibiting Culture Subjects: Ink Remix and Marilyn Monroe where I came up with a group of gaggling Uni friends, this time, I only have myself. I have a single room at a noisy backpacker lodge, I have a cute little hire car and am feeling a little out of my depth. Writing has always been a struggle for me, it’s never come easily, but it comes in waves. I am fascinated by writing and the use of vocabulary to express ones thoughts, desires, stories, and fantasies. It’s a craft that I have always wanted to hone and therefore my interest in this festival peaked. I knew I had the potential for creative writing when I wrote a play that was handpicked by legendary Australian playwright Patricia Cornelius to be produced and performed. Then when I wake up sometime in the morning with the urge to write a song be it good or bad. I think that the writer with in me is bursting to come out but for some reason I keep stifling her. This is why this festival is so important to me. I want to entice her out of her dungeon to join me on my creative plane. I want to engage with people like Hannie Rayson and Robyn Archer, and learn what it’s like to be a female theatre maker. To sit in a workshop with Darren Middleton sharing his song-writing process. To sit in awe of the likes of John Bell and hear how he keeps re-inventing Shakespeare. To become impassioned by Tim Flannery’s conservational mission. To be challenged and shocked by Julian Assange and his epic imprint on the world. These are the calibre of people that I hope challenge my anxieties about writing. That get me thinking about my voice as a writer and what I can offer to the creative world.