Celebrate the power and delight of language...
Within the depths of winter, when wisdom, entertainment and good company is warmly shared, celebrate some 18 productions and 40 presenters in our 21st festival. From internationally acclaimed speakers, authors, poets, actors and musicians; to stories of the past, sweet events & competitions.
50 Word Story Competition
RedBeard Bakery
38A High St, Trentham
Can you write a wise, witty and wondrous story using exactly 50 words? Why not do so while enjoying a coffee?
The winner will receive a RedBeard voucher.
Entry forms are available at RedBeard and here, and by emailing Trentham Neighbourhood Centre at info@trenthamnc.org.au. They can be submitted via the same email address or by giving a hard copy to RedBeard.
Entries close 12 August 2025.
Entry is free.
The Art of Story
Competition
Venue: Jargon, High St, Trentham
Displayed in the window of Jargon Textile Creations, Trentham, is a painting by Rose Wilson from the renowned The Little Gallery. You can win a signed framed print of this unique work, valued at $650, by giving it a title and, in less than 300 words, your description of the story behind it. From 1 August, visit Jargon for competition details.
Six Word Story
In popular folklore, the 'six word story' writing challenge came into existence when Ernest Hemingway met a group of fellow writers for lunch in New York in the 1920s. He made a $10 bet with them that he could compose a story with just six words. The challenge was accepted and on a serviette he wrote these famous words: 'For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.' He collected his winnings without argument.
The Trentham Trumpet is offering a $100 prize for the best six words story. Submit your entries to thetrenthamtrumpet@gmail.com. Entries close 22 August 2025. The winner will be announced in the September edition.
CLEVER TOWN
CHALLENGE
Date: Saturday, 2 August
Time: 10am-12pm
Venue: Puggles Room, The Library at The Mechanics
66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: Free Entry
We need your clever brain and knowledge in regaining the trophy as Hepburn’s cleverest town! Whether you play through cryptic, traditional, sudoku, or Wordle, join others in this challenge. Trentham residents will compete against other Hepburn Shire towns in this crossword challenge. Enquiries can be made by contacting Val Goodwin at vandkgoodwin@gmail.com.
Joel McKerrow
'Because creativity is far too important to be left to the creatives.'
Date: Saturday, 2 August
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Key Note Speaker
Time: 1:30-3pm Tickets: $28. Book here.
Completely free, reckless, and unbound, Joel is regarded as one of the world's most exciting, contemporary speakers, storytellers and poets. Experience a motivating talk that will leave you buzzing long after the event!
Workshop
Time: 5-7pm Tickets: $35. Book here.
Two exhilarating hours with acclaimed poet, performer, and creative powerhouse Joel McKerrow. Whether you’re a seasoned writer, an emerging author, a secret scribbler, or simply someone who loves the music of language, this workshop is your invitation to dive deep into the heart of storytelling and poetic expression. Limited places available.
'He is a true, creative genius, and his impact on my team was nothing short of extraordinary.' Clark Kirby, CEO Village Roadshow.
Madeline Cleary
Meet the Author
Date: Sunday, 3 August
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St Trentham
Time: 1:00-3:00pm Tickets: $28. Book here.
Melbourne-based writer Madeleine Cleary shares the story behind her salacious first novel, The Butterfly Women. She describes the life of her great-great grandmother, a prominent brothel owner in Colonial Melbourne's notorious Little Lonsdale Street. Madeline pens a daring novel of danger and intrigue in the once disgusting and dark lanes around the many houses of ill-repute. Madeleine now balances writing, podcasting, and life in the Dandenong Ranges. Don’t miss this chance to hear her journey from secret scribbler to published author. A glass of wine and nibbles beforehand provided.
SHORT STORY COMPETITION & READING
Date: Sunday, 3 August
Time: 5-7:30pm
Venue: Cosmopolitan Hotel Cellar & Wine Room
Tickets: Donation at the door
Submit your short story (maximum of 500 words) to Trentham Neighbourhood Centre (info@trenthamnc.org.au) by 21 July 2025, then come along for Short Stories Readings at the Cosmo. $500 of cash prizes to be awarded! This years' theme: 'Connection'.
Please include a cover sheet with your details with your entry. For enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.
Speaking of My Favourite Book ...
Date: Saturday, 9 August
Time: 11am-1:30pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: Free
Everyone has that one book—the one that changed them, stayed with them, or simply brought them joy. This is a warm, welcoming event where readers of all ages are invited to share a few words about the book they love most. Whether it's a childhood classic, a recent discovery, or a story that spoke to your soul, come along to celebrate the power of reading and the books that shape us. No speeches, no pressure—just a shared love of stories. Please register your interest in presenting by emailing trenthamwiw@gmail.com. Or just turn up!
Bush Poetry
Date: Saturday, 9 August
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: The Stables, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham
Tickets: Donation at the Door
Enjoy a cozy afternoon of bush poetry featuring the works of local bush poets and heroes of the past. The rafters of this historic and fitting venue will ring with tales of the Aussie Bushland. Submit an original unpublished work or compete to be the most compelling performer of your favourite classic. Written entries must be an original unpublished work, and follow the conventions of rhythm, rhyme, cadence, and syntax. Please submit your entry as a Word document to michael.johnson@ozemail.com.au, including a cover sheet with your details. Entries must be submitted by Tuesday, 22nd July.
$500 of cash prizes to be awarded for the original competition and performances. Innocent bystanders also welcome!
Family Trivia Night
Date: Saturday, 9 August
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: $5pp, or $10 for a family, at the door
From famous authors and memorable characters to plot twists and literary quotes, challenge your wits and immerse yourself in the world of words to raise money for the Trentham Play Group and Trentham Kindergarten. Get ready for a night filled with fun, friendly competition, and a celebration of the written word. Suitable for all ages, with children's literature included! Tables will compete against each other for the winning prize.
Light refreshments available. BYO wine. For registration and enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.
Those in Our Midst: 'I Have a Story to Tell'
Date: Sunday, 10 August
Time: 5:00-7:30pm
Venue: Cosmopolitan Hotel Cellar & Wine Room
Tickets: $28. Book here.
Living within our town are people with fascinating life stories, professions, and interests. You'll enjoy hearing from:
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Professor John Long, palaeontologist at Flinders University, author of 30 books, documentary maker, a master scientist and storyteller.
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Simon Rickard, specialist in historical bassoons, a leading exponent of bizarre renaissance woodwind instruments, and horticulturist.
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Simon Philips, multi-award winning director of plays, musicals and operas, including Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, and Muriel’s Wedding.
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Sylvia Johnson, award-winning restaurant owner; inaugural producer and director of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, and seasoned civil celebrant.
Drinks available at the bar with complementary slices of pizza during interval.
For enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.
The Serpent's Smile
Date: Saturday, 16 August
Time: 5-7pm
Venue: Garden Studio, Casa Allegra, 10 High St, Trentham
Tickets: $46. Book here.
A lone traveller follows a disturbed street preacher to a run-down apartment and is not going to leave until he has what he really wanted from the beginning. A story of disillusion, love and desire, featuring Greg Ulfan, Karlis Zaid and Lucy Best. 'The Serpent's Smile' is written by award winning and critically acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, Darren Markey. Glass of wine and snacks included.
Words in Song
Date: Sunday, 17 August
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Venue: St George's Church, 58 High St, Trentham
Tickets: Free Entry
Inviting you to gather at St George’s to sing 'Words of Hope' through hymns old and new, hymns which inspire us to live and work in hope at this moment in history. Singing songs in community is an enjoyable expression of a common faith, just as we enjoy singing our sporting team theme songs! If you would like to suggest some hymns which give you hope, please send them to faymagee@gmail.com. And then come along and sing!
We're Talkin' Pubs, Ghosts & Misfits
Date: Sunday, 17 August
Venue: The Stables, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham
Time: 5-7:30pm Tickets: $32. Book here.
Pull up a stool and join us for tales of local pubs—an afternoon of lively storytelling and local lore. With presenters sharing colourful yarns of the pubs' histories, expect tall tales, true stories, and a few laughs along the way. Special guest Reg the potato farmer will make an appearance, bringing earthy charm and a nod to Trentham’s roots. Complementary slices of pizza will be provided at the interval. Drinks available at the bar.
A perfect mix of history, humour, and hospitality. Supported by Trentham Historical Society.
Professor Barry Golding: Six Peaks Speak
Date: Saturday, 23 August
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High Street, Trentham
Time: 11am-1pm Tickets: $15. Book here.
Mountains can tell us much about our past, and in Central Victoria, there are six that tower above the rich volcanic grasslands. Honorary Professor Barry Golding AM self-describes as a ground-up, community-oriented, polymathic, place-based story teller. Former President of Adult Learning Australia and Patron of the Australian Men’s Shed Association, Barry will give a not-to-be-missed geographical and historical presentation.
Tea and coffee provided.
The Trentham Opera House
Date: Saturday, 23 August
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: $30. Book here.
Not a fan of opera? Richard Hobson just may change that through his full lyric tenor voice, his humorous slant and his cheeky grin. Richard started his career in musical theatre, Gilbert & Sullivan roles, plus choral work, with a legal profession in between.
Our tenor will take a lighthearted look at two of opera’s most beloved works—Carmen and La Bohème—sharing insider stories, patches of parody and humour, with live performances of selected arias.
And, just as any opera performance, a glass of sparkling will be provided on arrival.
Let the Instruments Speak
Date: Sunday, 24 August
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: $38. Book here.
At this event, three extraordinary musicians will explore the synergy between music and words. Music, with its dynamic ebb and flow of sound, serves as a powerful metaphor for human emotions. If music speaks the language of emotion, then words add depth and meaning. This expression of art will be played out by renowned cellist Zoe Knighton of the Flinders Quartet, Trentham’s Simon Rickard a specialist in historical bassoons, and exciting electric guitarist, John Christiansen.
CONTEMPORARY POETRY COMPETITION
Date: Sunday, 24 August
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: Free Entry
Write and present your modern poem in an intimate atmosphere in this year's poetry competition! Entry conditions are one original entry per poet of a hitherto unpublished work. This years' theme: 'Connection'. Please submit your entry with a cover sheet including your details to trenthamwiw@gmail.com. $500 of cash prizes to be awarded! Entries close 11 August 2025.
For enquiries, please email trenthamwiw@gmail.com.
The Decadence & Delights of Chocolate
Date: Saturday, 30 August
Time: 5-7pm
Venue: Sisko Chocolate, High St, Trentham
Tickets: $48. Book here.
A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!
Is there anything more delicious than tasting artisan chocolate! Christina of Sisko does not think so. However, in Central Victoria, there was a darker side of chocolate as Deserie Petitt will tell through ‘Such Sweet Sorrow’, Your taste buds will explode as we pitch the sweet with the savoury and, to finish, a rich chocolate and chilli tart! A warming and a cooler wine included.
Meet the Author:
Alex Miller
Date: Sunday, 31 August
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: The Mechanics, 66 High St, Trentham
Tickets: $28. Book here.
Alex Miller is acknowledged as one of the great Australian literary novelists. Twice winner of the Miles Franklin Award, Alex has penned some 17 books up to date. Alex will be in conversation with journalist and Radio National broadcaster Jonathan Green. A glass of wine, nibbles, and thoughtful conversation provided.
School Competition
Trentham District Primary School
Once again in 2025 Trentham State School will be involved in Words in Winter. Teachers are welcome to work with the given theme of Connections, or fit in with their current syllabus. Prizes for each class will be awarded at a Friday assembly and the judges look forward to the excitement of young people finding the best words in the best order to write poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
