Who is Julie Beveridge?
Festival Director/CEO of Brisbane Writers Festival, a mother of a nearly four year old and lover of poetry, Elvis, the concept of ‘home’ and the small corner of the world I inhabit.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Trust my instincts more, I spent most of my 20’s believing my gut had shit for brains. It’s not true, my gut instinct is formidable and I’m learning to respect it. I would also sacrifice less showers for 5 more minutes sleep.
Who inspires you and why?
Kate Eltham. This is a woman who is visionary, naturally equipped with equal amounts of innovation and common sense, equal amounts bleeding heart and cut throat. It’s a pleasure to have known and worked with her for 10 years. My cat Peter Rabbit. This is a being who just doesn’t give a fuck and still gets everything she wants. That is a wonderful super power to possess.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Talk less. Do more. Use less. Help more. Teach my son to be a lover of all broken and marginalized things.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Home. It’s where all my stuff and everyone I want to see is.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Again, I take them home. Whenever friends from interstate or overseas come to Brisbane, I just bring them home with me.
What are you currently reading?
I am attempting to read about 20 books between now and the festival… am thoroughly enjoying Sarai Walkers Dietland, Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed and Andy Jacskon’s Immune Systems.
What are you currently listening to?
When it’s a really busy time, like now, I listen to a lot of Decoder Ring, Great Earthquakes, Old Crow Medicine Show, Joe Henry, Mia Dyson… story tellers and creators of vast economies of sound.
Happiness is?
Everywhere. I just need to remind myself to look at it every now and again.
What does the future hold for you?
In the short term, drinks with tiny umbrellas. Then Brisbane Writers Festival is entering a new strategic cycle – a time for creativity, vulnerability, innovation and making some exciting choices. I love my job!
A cultural producer with over 10 years’ experience working in Queensland’s writing sector, Julie Beveridge has led the Program team at Brisbane Writers Festival in the role of Program Manager for the past two years. Before joining BWF, she was the Program and Services Manager at Queensland Writers Centre, and was previously the Director of Queensland Poetry Festival. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre) and Masters of Arts and Entertainment Management.
The 2015 Brisbane Writers Festival runs 2 – 6 September. For more information, visit: www.bwf.org.au for details.
Image: Julie Beveridge