THE TEAM
The expertise and enthusiasm of our organising committee and other team members is a driving force behind this unique festival.
Meet the people working together to nurture the diverse range of activities at the 2026 Berry Writers’ Festival:
James Robinson
President
James Robinson
James believes that Berry offers a wonderful environment to work, play, and raise a family, and sees events like the Berry Writers' Festival as essential to the town’s fabric. He has a background in engineering and is an owner and director of businesses in the property and civil construction industries on the South Coast. Since 2007, James has lived in Berry with his wife and four children, and he brings 25 years’ business experience to the committee in supporting the development of the 2024, and now, 2026 festivals.
Tori Haschka
Artistic Director
Tori Haschka
Tori Haschka is the author of two novels with Simon and Schuster and two non fiction cookery books. She was the Associate Artistic Director of the 2024 Berry Writers' Festival was a senior communications officer for The Australia Council of the Arts (2007-2010) and has a MA in strategic communication management. She lives in Berry with her husband and two children.
Julie Janson
Indigenous Advisor
Julie Janson
Julie, a Burruberongal woman of the Darug nation, is an award-winning novelist, playwright and poet. Her novels Benevolence and Madukka the River Serpent were longlisted for major national prizes including the Miles Franklin, Davitt, NIB and Voss awards. She has also received the Oodgeroo Noonuccal (2016) and Judith Wright (2019) poetry prizes.
Stephanie Kemp
Treasurer
Stephanie Kemp
Stephanie has been a chartered accountant for many years, specialising in financial reporting, audit and regulatory issues. She has written numerous articles and was technical editor of The Audit and Assurance Handbook Australia. She is now a partner in a small forensic accounting business.
Nuala HIggins
Secretary
Nuala Higgins
Nuala spent her early career working as a forensic chemist for Federal Law Enforcement in the USA. She then switched tracks, becoming a senior administrator in universities and hospitals, both in Ireland and Australia. Nuala moved with her husband and daughter to Berry in 2013.
Ian Carroll
Committee Member
Ian Carroll
Ian is fortunate to have owned a farm in Berry for thirteen years and is a passionate believer in the diversity and strength of the Shoalhaven community. Ian was once a lawyer, media executive and digital investor and hopes to bring some of his 20+ years experience working in media and events in Asia to assist the committee.
Chris Pash
Committee Member
Chris Pash
Chris is a journalist, editor and author. He is a former director and chair of the Australian Society of Authors, a former director of the Copyright Agency, representing authors, and a former director of PANPA (Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers’ Association). He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Keely Crilley
Community & Education Liaison
Keely Crilley
Keely is an Indigenous educator and lifelong reader who has been part of the Berry Public School community for over twelve years. In her role as teacher librarian, she is committed to creating a vibrant reading culture and takes pride in helping every student find the book that ignites their love of reading.
