Thank you Edwina Johnson

End of an era

As Edwina Johnson steps aside from her role as Director of Byron Writers Festival, Marele Day pays tribute to a pioneering figure who will leave a lasting mark on the organisation.

The wonderful Edwina Johnson, Byron Writers Festival’s longestserving Director, is leaving. Since taking the position in 2014, Edwina has been instrumental in making the Festival the truly world-class event it is today. Her care for and nurturing of invited writers and her attention to detail, have also made Byron Writers Festival the writers’ favourite.

As a former publicist, she brought to the job a love of all things literary, plus an address book to die for – her personal contacts with publishers, agents, and writers. For Edwina, being Festival Director was never a nine-to-five job, but a role she fully inhabited. Always switched on, plugged in, listening to broadcasts, podcasts, reading books, connecting to her vast network of friends and industry professionals,

she was able to determine the big issues of interest to audiences as well as being sensitive to small delicate things that would delight and bring joy. Her vision for the Festival was a forum for social justice, and a platform for diverse voices to be heard. In the past two years, she introduced guest-curated sessions to promote even greater diversity and authenticity.

Edwina also brought to our region a program of literary events not just at Festival time but throughout the year. StoryBoard, the travelling creative writing program for kids, which was spearheaded by our beloved Board Member Jesse Blackadder, became the huge success it is under the direction of Edwina.

But more than any of these extraordinary achievements, Edwina will be remembered for her personal qualities – generosity of spirit, warmth, compassion and empathy. With both French and Italian in her language repertoire Edwina added cosmopolitan flair to the office. Although a reluctant speechmaker, each year she delivered a confident and witty opening address for the Festival.

The last year presented Edwina with difficult personal challenges. A time to reassess priorities.

Edwina, we will miss your warmth, your creative flair, and wish you a well-deserved time of rest and recuperation before you embark on the next stage of your life. May the friendship with you continue.

Image: Edwina onsite at Byron Writers Festival 2017. Photo: Kate Holmes