Confidential, Lyons, Venus

The last day of the Sydney Writers Festival 2012. I had three booked sessions and added two other 'walk up' sessions to the day.

First up was 'Sydney Confidential' in which journalists Fiona Harari and Geesche Jacobsen discussed their books respectively about the former Federal Court Judge who lied in court rather than pay a small traffic fine (Marcus Einfeld) and about the woman who embarked on a cruise, accepted drugs from strangers, and ended up dead (Diane Brimble). Both cases fascinated Sydney for years and it was interesting to revisit them.

Queueing for 'Sydney Confidential'

Then followed 'Joseph Lyons PM: Labor 'rat' or pure patriot?' Author Anne Henderson (spouse of Gerard Henderson of the Sydney Institute) discussed Lyons' life and career with former NSW Labor politician Rodney Cavalier. I must say I knew very little about Lyons and was surprised to learn amongst other things that he was one our longest serving Prime Ministers. From Henderson's comments it is clear that I am not alone in my ignorance.

Third up was 'iSpy'. When we 'Google', use the internet or make telephone calls every key stroke volunteers information about us to companies and Governments. Should we be worried, was the question in this session. The initial answer was 'no' but after hearing what youthful panellists Stilgherrian, Thomas Tudehope and Radio National's Marc Fennell had to say, I wasn't so sure.

The youthful 'iSpy' panel

My fourth session was 'Found in Translation: Film Adaptation'. This session was about the dangers and rewards of re-interpreting the classics on screen. Panellists were Craig Pearce ('Strictly Ballroom' and 'The Great Gatsby'), Jane Scott ('Shine' and 'Mao's Last Dancer') and Michael Petroni (the 'Narnia' series). The session was targeted at practitioners but as an interested observer I was fascinated by this inside examination of the thought processes in move making.

In the audience for 'Found in Translation'

My fifth and final session for the day, fittingly was the Festival's final official session, the 'Closing Address: Dava Sobel Regarding the Transit of Venus'. Ms Sobel delivered a presentation on the history of the observations of the Transit of Venus which is of relevance to contemporary Australia as Captain James Cook encountered the east coast of our land during his mission to observe the 1769 Transit. Ms Sobel's passion for the subject was infectious.

The presentation was also timely as the next Transit (there are only two in each century) will be on 6 June this year and will be visible in full from Sydney between 8.15am and 2.15pm. We shouldn't miss it, Ms Sobel advised, as the following Transit will not occur until 2117!

And so, that concluded Mt's and my participation in the 2012 Festival. It was a very enjoyable period. On our way to catch the bus home we passed Sydney's old  Customs House decoratively lit, perhaps in preparation for 'Vivid Sydney' which gets underway on Friday. Looks like it will be fun.

Customs House