Rosemarie Milsom

A self-described "doer", Rosemarie decided to start one, waking at 4am to work on her idea before heading to her full-time job at the Newcastle Herald.

In 2013, the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival saw more than 70 writers participate. Rosemarie recalls someone approaching her as she was packing up Newcastle City Hall. The woman, Julie, told her she wasn't much of a reader, but she had been dragged along by a friend.

"I absolutely loved it... I've even bought a couple of books, so I'm going to start reading," Julie said.

For Rosemarie, reaching somebody who might otherwise never have engaged with literature was a powerful sign of what the festival could offer.

Under her visionary leadership, the Newcastle Writers Festival became renowned for its inclusivity, combining high-quality programming with free public access and a strong focus on outreach to schools and the regions. Rosemarie's approach has introduced thousands of young people and new audiences to the joy of reading, writing, and critical conversation, while championing both established and up-and-coming writers.

Even when COVID-19 forced the festival's cancellation, Rosemarie and her team developed a digital festival program using pre-recorded conversations.

"It was the model that was then replicated by everybody," she says.

Almost 15 years later, Rosemarie's bold idea is the highlight of Newcastle's creative calendar. "Every festival is an opportunity to improve something else or try something else or do something differently," she says. "It's kind of an alive thing."

In an increasingly screen-obsessed world, Rosemarie sees even greater value in real-world cultural experiences and human connections.

"You're sitting in a space listening to people in real time. There's no editing. There's no manipulation. I think literature and the impact it can have far exceeds what you're going to get on your screen in terms of increasing your awareness of the world, increasing your empathy, and expanding your horizons."

It's a belief that has carried her thinking across more than a decade since the festival began. "I hope what is cemented and continues is that commitment to breaking down barriers that prevent people engaging with literature."

No matter how large Newcastle Writers Festival becomes, Rosemarie's legacy is focused inclusion and participation.

"If I've helped in some way to connect people to literature... even one person is really meaningful to me."

Now, as the newly appointed Director of Adelaide Writers' Week, Rosemarie is crossing states to bring the same creative leadership and passion for equity that transformed Newcastle into one of Australia's most significant and thriving literary hubs.

Before beginning her next adventure, Rosemarie was farewelled from the helm of the Newcastle Writers Festival at an intimate gathering of writers.

Among those in the crowd was Julie, a former non-reader.