Buttrose, Robins and Bevan to star in history triple-header

Published on 08 September 2023

Media pioneer Ita Buttrose, Triple J icon Mikey Robins and Lake Mac author and journalist Scott Bevan will feature in a stellar triple-header at Warners Bay Theatre on Saturday as part of this year’s History Illuminated festival.

Buttrose will share stories from her 50-plus year career in the media in a conversation with 2HD news director and journalist Jessica Rouse from 2pm.

The $50 ticket price includes a drink on arrival.

Robins kicks off at 4pm, chatting to the ABC’s Dan Cox about his latest book, Idiots Follies and Misadventures, a tongue-in-cheek look at “stupidity through the ages”.

Hunter-bred Robins is regarded as Australian radio and television royalty, with storied stints at Triple J and Triple M, and on the satirical game show Good News Week.

But he is also an accomplished author, whose books have covered everything from the history of food to badly behaved historic figures.

Earlier on Saturday, Scott Bevan will talk about his new book, Return to the Hunter, charting his latest paddling expedition down the Hunter River and the way the estuary has changed since he first travelled it a decade ago.

His presentation starts at 9.45am.

Also on Saturday at Warners Bay Theatre, from 10.45am author Craig Collie will chat to Bevan about his book, about the ANZACs who fought in Greece and Crete in WWII.

And University of Newcastle Wollotuka Institute of Aboriginal Studies Director Professor John Maynard will talk about Australia’s first Aboriginal political organisation, the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association, from 11.45am.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the subjects covered on the festival’s super Saturday were both diverse and

“There’s something for everyone, whether they’re dedicated history buffs or just casual observers up for a laugh and a good chat,” she said.

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