Festival feedback survey

Tell us how the 2026 Festival went: the sessions, the workshops, the green room, the queues. It’s anonymous and takes around 5–10 minutes.

Step 1 of 11 – Welcome

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Help us shape the next Berry Writers’ Festival

Thank you for being part of the 2026 Berry Writers’ Festival. Your feedback helps us plan future festivals, support our authors and apply for funding. It only takes 5–10 minutes.

This survey is anonymous. We don’t ask for your name or contact details, and we don’t record your IP address.

Apart from the first question, every question is optional, so skip anything you’d rather not answer. We’ll use your answers for planning, reporting to supporters and funding applications, and we’ll only ever share results as group totals.

At the end you can choose to enter our prize draw. Prize draw entries are stored separately from survey answers and we won’t link the two.

By continuing, you agree to us using your answers in this way. Read our survey privacy statement for more about how we handle your information.

The survey closes at 9am on Monday 23 November 2026.

Which best describes you at this year's Festival?(Required)

Choose one. This decides which questions you’ll see.

I attended Festival sessions

I attended a workshop (with or without other sessions)

I was an author, speaker or moderator

I volunteered

Are you a patron, sponsor or donor of the Festival?

Yes

How many sessions did you book for yourself?

1 to 3

4 to 6

7 to 10

More than 10

How many sessions did you book for other people?

1 to 3

4 to 6

7 to 10

More than 10

None

Don’t know

Which days did you attend?

Tick all that apply.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Were you able to book every session you wanted?

Yes

No, some were sold out

No, for another reason

How easy was it to use your tickets on the day?

1 – Very hard

5 – Very easy

Overall, how would you rate your enjoyment of the Festival?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

What's the main reason for your rating?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

What one thing could we improve?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

What brought you to the Festival?

Tick all that apply.

To hear a specific author or speaker

To experience new ideas

To socialise with friends or family

To meet new people with similar interests

To be inspired

To visit Berry

None of the above

How did you hear about the Festival?

Tick all that apply.

Online

Printed media

Radio

Poster

Social media

Word of mouth

Postcard or flyer

Roadside banner

None of the above

How often have you been to writers' festivals before?

Regularly

Occasionally

Never

Which authors would you like to see come to Berry?

International authors

Australian authors

A mix of both

No preference

Is this your first time at the Berry Writers' Festival?

Yes

No, I came in 2024

No, I’ve been to earlier festivals too

Would you visit the Berry Writers' Festival the next time it is held?

Yes

Maybe

Do you live in the Shoalhaven area?

Yes

Don’t know

Which of these apply to your Festival visit?

Tick all that apply.

I live in or near Berry

I travelled to Berry specifically for this event

I had not visited Berry before

I stayed overnight with friends or family

I booked accommodation in Berry or close by

I extended my stay in the Shoalhaven before or after the Festival

I took some time to travel in the surrounding area

I have not visited the Shoalhaven area before

None of the above

How many nights did you stay in the area for the Festival?

None, I live locally or made day trips

1 night

2 nights

3 or more nights

Roughly how much did you spend in the area, not counting tickets?

Think food, drink, shopping and accommodation.

Under $50

$50 to $200

$201 to $500

More than $500

Prefer not to say

Did you have any access needs at the Festival?

For example captions, hearing support, seating or quieter spaces.

Yes, and they were fully met

Yes, and they were partly met

Yes, and they weren’t met

Prefer not to say

How could we make the Festival easier to access?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

Which workshop did you attend?

Wonder for Writers With Kathryn Heyman

Writing Nature With Inga Simpson

The First Page With Toni Jordan

Memoir & Creative Non-Fiction Workshop with Natasha Sholl

How would you rate Wonder for Writers With Kathryn Heyman?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

How would you rate Writing Nature With Inga Simpson?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

How would you rate The First Page With Toni Jordan?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

How would you rate Memoir & Creative Non-Fiction Workshop with Natasha Sholl?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

How much do you agree with these statements on average?

	1 – Strongly disagree	2	3	4	5 – Strongly agree
The workshop met my expectations
The facilitator was knowledgeable and engaging
I learnt something I can use in my own writing
The length of the workshop was about right
The workshop was good value for money

Which best describes your writing?

I write for pleasure

I’m working towards publication

I’m a published writer

Prefer not to say

Was there anything specific you'd like to say about a particular workshop

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you specifically.

What would make future workshops better?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

What workshop topics would you like next time?

Where did you travel from?

The Shoalhaven

Elsewhere in regional New South Wales

Sydney

Another capital city

A regional area in another state or territory

How well did we communicate with you before the Festival?

1 – Not well

5 – Very well

How easy was the contract process?

1 – Very hard

5 – Very easy

How easy was the payment set-up in Xero?

This year we needed extra details from you so we could pay your superannuation. We know this added steps, and your feedback helps us make it smoother.

1 – Very hard

5 – Very easy

Is there anything that would make the contract or payment set-up easier?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

How would you rate your accommodation?

1 – Poor

5 – Excellent

Not applicable

How easy was it to get around Berry and between venues?

1 – Very hard

5 – Very easy

How would you rate the green room?

1 – Poor

5 – Excellent

I didn’t use it

Did you meet other writers in a way that was useful to you?

1 – Not at all

5 – Very useful

Did you attend any other Festival sessions?

Yes

No, but I would have liked to

If not, what stopped you?

Tick all that apply.

Timing clashed with my own sessions

Sessions were sold out

I wasn’t sure I could attend

My travel times didn’t allow it

Other

What else stopped you?

Do you think the Festival helped you reach new readers?

1 – Not at all

5 – Very much

Would you come back to the Festival if invited?

Yes

Maybe

What one thing would improve the experience for authors and speakers?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

Which area did you mainly volunteer in?

Front of house or ticketing

Venue support

Author and green room support

Information desk

Set-up or pack-down

Other

Have you volunteered at the Festival before?

Yes

No, this was my first time

How much do you agree with these statements?

	1 – Strongly disagree	2	3	4	5 – Strongly agree
I knew what I needed to do
My briefing or training prepared me well
I felt supported during my shifts
The number and length of my shifts suited me
I felt valued for my contribution

Did you get to see any sessions?

Yes

No, but I would have liked to

Overall, how would you rate your volunteering experience?

5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Would you volunteer again?

Yes

Maybe

What one thing would improve the volunteer experience?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.

Would you recommend the Festival to a friend with similar interests?

Yes

Maybe

What's your postcode?

Four digits, for example 2535.

What's your age group?

Under 18

18 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 and over

Prefer not to say

How do you describe your gender?

Woman

Man

Non-binary

I use a different term

Prefer not to say

The term I use is

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Please don’t include names or other details that could identify you or anyone else.