Writers on the Road
Jack Heath Ignites a Love of Storytelling
From 9–13 September, acclaimed ACT author Jack Heath joined MARION CEO Katy Mutton on a regional tour of north-western Victoria, visiting schools and libraries from Mildura to Nyah, Manangatang, Lake Boga, Beverford and Robinvale. Over the course of the week, Heath delivered workshops and talks that lit up the imaginations of hundreds of students.
Robinvale, VIC
Jack Heath is a Canberra-based author, long-time MARION member and former board member, who has written 46 novels for adults and children. His books have sold more than half a million copies worldwide and been translated into ten languages. Best known for the Liars and 200 Minutes of Danger series, as well as adult thrillers such as Kill Your Husbands, Heath is one of Australia’s most widely read authors for young people. In his sessions, he encouraged students to think like writers—experimenting with characters, testing plot twists, and sharpening their editing skills. He showed that great stories can grow from the smallest spark, and that anyone, from any background, has the power to tell compelling stories.
The tour emerged from conversations with Swan Hill Rural City Council, who noted that many schools are often overlooked on traditional author circuits because of their remoteness. With Arts Mildura’s commitment to providing programs across artforms to support skills learning and wellbeing, the organisations partnered with MARION to pilot a new approach bringing a high-profile author directly into communities that rarely receive such opportunities.
We were very grateful for the opportunity to visit schools on the traditional lands of the Wemba Wemba, Latje Latje, Ngingit (Ningtait), Nyeri Nyeri and Wadi Wadi peoples.
Many of the schools visited, including Nyah, Manangatang, Lake Boga, Beverford and Robinvale, face challenging socio-economic circumstances alongside the realities of rural life: fewer resources, limited access to cultural experiences, and long distances from major regional centres. These areas are also highly diverse, with strong migrant and First Nations communities, yet families often encounter language barriers and limited services. In this context, an author visit is far more than a school incursion; it is a rare cultural experience that builds confidence, encourages creativity, and shows young people that their voices matter. The tour demonstrated the transformative power of access.
“Young people who don’t always see themselves as writers were suddenly leaning forward, laughing, and coming up with wild and wonderful ideas. That’s the magic of Jack, and his skill as a writer and presenter. It was also about the exchange, as he experienced the honesty and energy in these regional communities.”
The tour marked the launch of our official Writers on the Road initiative, which will continue bringing acclaimed authors from the region into rural and regional schools. With its focus on access, exchange and inspiration, the program aims to rewrite what an author tour can be, creating experiences that stay with students and writers alike.
This tour would not have been possible without the support and initiative of Creative Victoria, Arts Mildura, participating schools and libraries, and the teachers and staff who welcomed us so warmly. We are especially grateful to Jack Heath, who shared his time and talent so generously to spark a love of reading and writing across the Mallee, and who embraced a very full program with energy and humour.
“The enthusiasm that schools showed at getting the opportunity to have Jack visit shows how important these types of opportunities are for rural schools. One of my team members, whose children go to Manangatang, said both children absolutely loved Jack’s visit and were so excited to tell her all about it when they got home.”
We are excited to expand the program in 2026, with more writers, more stories, and more opportunities to inspire children and connect communities through the power of storytelling.
“At recess, the staff room was buzzing as teachers recounted the session to those who weren’t there. This morning, I had many students in the library who not only wanted to talk about the visit but also borrowed all of Jack’s books!”
ARTIST BIO
Jack Heath is the award-winning author of more than forty books for children and adults. He was born in Sydney in 1986 and has lived in Canberra since 1996. He wrote his first novel in high school and sold it to a publisher at age 18. In 2018 his first crime novel for adults, Hangman, was a smash-hit in Australia and has since been translated into French, German, Russian and Serbian. His 2021 book, Kill Your Brother, was shortlisted for best crime novel at the Ned Kelly Awards.
