Fishy Stories festival is a vibrant, one-day celebration of children's storytelling, featuring a variety of engaging activities for families. Located in Fish Creek, the day includes continuous events and activities.
The 2025 program is our biggest yet and includes Author & Illustrator Workshops and Interactive Activities.
2025 Writing Challenge Live Performances
Twenty of the best stories (Grade One to Year Eight) have been judged and selected from hundreds of entries for a live performance. See stories come to life as they are read aloud by professional readers.
Join us at the Festival on November 15th in the Fish Creek Memorial Hall at 10.45am and 2.00pm for our live performance!
See a display of Writing Challenge stories and picture stories in the Fish Creek Memorial Hall at the Festival.
Author and Illustrator Workshops
Free workshops are offered by internationally renowned children's authors and illustrators. The program caters for all ages and interests from the adventures of the Real Pigeons to our own Alison Lester’s Magic Beach. In 2025 we will see:
Real Pigeons – Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
Andrew McDonald is the author of the Real Pigeons and Hello Twigs series, known for stories that make kids laugh and think. Illustrator Ben Wood has brought these characters to life in over 50 titles.
Alison Lester
Alison Lester AM is one of Australia’s most beloved authors and illustrators, with more than 25 picture books and two novels. Her iconic Magic Beach was recently adapted into a film, and she continues to inspire readers across generations.
Andrea Rowe
A passionate voice for nature and children’s storytelling, Andrea is the award-winning author of Jetty Jumping and In the Rockpools. She’s a 2024 May Gibbs Literature Trust Fellow and advocate for Aussie kids enjoying the outdoors.
Jane Godwin
Jane has written over 40 children’s books and was awarded the 2024 Pixie O’Harris Award. Her works span novels and picture books, including A Life Song and Can You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree?
Anna Walker
A Melbourne-based author and illustrator, Anna’s gentle, artful stories have earned widespread acclaim. Her titles include Florette, Mr Huff, and A Life Song. She often collaborates with Jane Godwin – they’ve co-created nine books so far.
Jess Racklyeft
Jess is an award-winning illustrator of 35+ picture books, known for her vibrant watercolours and mixed media. Her work celebrates whimsy, nature, and emotion, and she is based in inner-city Melbourne.
Vikki Conley
Vikki Conley is a multi-award-winning author of 14 children’s books and is well known for creating lively literary experiences for young readers.
Her picture book Where The Lyrebird Lives won the 2023 CBCA Book of the Year, and Amira’s Suitcase and Little Puggle’s Song have received Honour and Notable awards. On The Way To School was shortlisted for the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year.
Interactive Activities including storytelling and roaming performers.
Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open - you never know who you’ll bump into at Fishy Stories! Roaming performers will wander the streets with music, laughter and surprise moments throughout the festival. Who knows what you may see - jugglers magic tricks, bubble makers, there will be magic around every corner!
Invy Horn Jam is a wonderfully sticky confection of vibrant brass, sax, and percussion street band music. With a sound that’s as bold as it is joyful, the band brings together musicians who love creating spontaneous, high-energy performances and you wont be disappointed! Whether they’re parading through Fish Creek or, lighting up the routunda, Invy Horn Jam band delivers a groove that’s impossible to resist - part New Orleans, part backyard jam, and all heart.
Live Performance at the Fish Creek Memorial Hall
Dr Hubble - Australia’s Favourite Bubble Man!
Over the last 12 years Dr Hubble has performed in every state in Australia creating miraculous moments of wonder for over one million people. He will show you bubbles you have never seen before, the square, the octagon, the chimney and the explode-a-bubble.
