Probe into hot air balloon incident
GEELONG’S Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival has a new head.
Rochelle Smith, who has been festival co-ordinator for the past four events, has been announced as the new festival director.
Australia’s only major literary event dedicated exclusively to nonfiction writing and ideas, Word for Word is held annually at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.
It also hosts a series of nonfiction writing masterclasses at Geelong Regional Libraries across the region.
Ms Smith said she was delighted to be leading the festival that has put Geelong firmly on the map in terms of the Australian literary scene.
“I’m immensely proud that I have been involved in this festival since 2015 and have played a role in it becoming one of Australia’s most exciting literary events,” Ms Smith said.
“I’m looking forward to leading the Word for Word program in some exciting new directions and taking our audiences beyond their comfort zone.”
Ms Smith is a former Geelong Advertiser journalist with a background in PR and marketing and a decade of experience working in festival publicity.
“This year’s Word for Word audience can expect to be challenged, confronted, informed and entertained by some of our greatest thinkers and commentators, who will be dissecting the issues confronting Australia and the world right now,” she said.
Chair of the Word for Word Festival Advisory Committee and deputy chair of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Cr Margot Smith, said Word for Word’s unique nonfiction focus had established Geelong as a key destination for both non-fiction writers and followers.
“Rochelle’s appointment to the role of director is a natural progression for a person who has played an integral role in the festival thus far,” Cr Smith said.
The festival will be held between November 15 and 17. A HOT air balloon incident in outer Melbourne will be probed by aviation safety investigators after two passengers were seriously injured.
The Kavanagh Balloons 400 series hot air balloon took off from Dixons Creek, with 16 passengers and one crew on board on March 16. However, during the landing near Coldstream about 8.20am, the basket toppled over during deflation.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said yesterday it is investigating the incident and will deliver a final report in the second half of the year.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue,” the bureau said.