Alumni and Community Day at the UQ Alumni Book Fair
Join us on campus for a free, fun-filled Saturday designed for book lovers of all ages.
Bring the kids along for story time, face painting and our first-ever costume parade, with prizes up for grabs. Families can also drop into the Interactive Hub in the UQ Centre Foyer for some hands-on fun, including live science experiments.
Adult bookworms can catch pop-up author talks or join our writing workshop – perfect for anyone ready to start their own storytelling journey.
Come along, get inspired and celebrate the joy of reading with us.
Time: 9:30am–4:30pm
Location: UQ Centre (72A), St Lucia campus
Cost: free
Program of activities
| 9:30–10:30am | Kids Story Time – Reading is Magic A spellbinding story time led by readers visiting St Lucia from a faraway world. For children 0–7, or those young at heart. |
| 10–10:30am | Author Talk: Carly-Jay Metcalfe on Making a Memoir Metcalfe discusses writing Breath (UQP, 2024), her memoir of triumph and survival, in conversation with UQP Director Madonna Duffy. |
| 10:30–11am | Kids Character Costume Parade Dust off your Book Week costumes and join the fun. There’s a prize for best-dressed, to be judged by Councillor Penny Wolff. |
| 11–1pm | Face Painting Little ones can be transformed into creatures or characters by our face-painting artist. |
| 11–11:30am | Author Talk: Fiction vs Non-fiction with Ian Kemish AM The debut novel of former Australian diplomat Adjunct Associate Professor Ian Kemish AM (BA (Hons) ’87), Two Islands (UQP 2026), follows his acclaimed non-fiction work The Consul. He reflects on the move to fiction with Sally Wilson. |
| 11am–2pm | Interactive Hub for Families Explore the stalls in the UQ Centre Foyer to get hands-on with live science experiments and even a real-life racing car. |
| 12–12:30pm | UQ Alumni Travel Program Information Session Learn about the 2026 UQ alumni tour to Italy and preview other upcoming destinations. |
| 1–2pm | Author Talk: How to Tell (and Sell) a Story with Kim Wilkins Professor Kim Wilkins – UQ lecturer, storytelling expert and author of more than 30 works of fiction – shares tips on finding inspiration, overcoming writer’s block and pitching finished work. |
| 2–2:30pm | Author Talk: Andrew Stafford on Music and Memory in Pig City Stafford revisits his recently reissued 2004 cult classic Pig City: From the Saints to Savage Garden (UQP) and explores what makes great music writing with UQP Director Madonna Duffy. |
| 2:30–3pm | Author Talk: Nikki Mottram on Crime (Writing) that Pays In conversation with Sally Wilson, best-selling crime writer Nikki Mottram (BA ’01); author of Crow’s Nest, (UQP 2023) explores suspense and plot, the realities of a writing career and what brings her novels to life. |
| 3–4:30pm | Ecology on Campus: Flyways Screening and Bird Walk Calling all twitchers! Join us for an afternoon film on Australia’s migratory shorebirds and Q&A with renowned biologist Professor Richard Fuller from UQ’s School of Environment. After the film, Professor Fuller will lead a bird walk on campus from 4:45pm. |
Getting here:
Casual parking is available under the UQ Centre. Paid parking applies Monday–Friday, 7am–9pm. Parking is free on weekends and public holidays.More information about parking at UQ.
St Lucia campus is conveniently accessible by bus and ferry.More information about public transport options.
About Alumni and community events
UQ alumni and community events take place in-person and online, across the globe, throughout the year. UQ alumni are invited to join the UQ ChangeMakers platform to access early event registrations, benefits and discounts.
You can also be notified of upcoming events when you update your details.
