Words in Winter appoints Aunty Alison McRae as Cultural Advisor

Words in Winter has appointed Aunty Alison McRae — a Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta Elder and leader — as its inaugural Cultural Advisor.

The friendship between Festival Producer Devon Taylor and Aunty Alison began at Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford. That connection has now deepened into a formal role that will see Aunty Alison guide the festival committee and programming to ground the event on Djaara Country.

Aunty Alison is also a member of the Pitcha Makin' Fellas art collective, alongside her son Jack Shilvock and Uncle Ted Laxton.

"It's a privilege to walk alongside Words in Winter and help ensure this festival truly belongs on Djaara Country," said Aunty Alison McRae. "Storytelling has always been here and I'm honoured to help carry that forward."

Devon Taylor, Festival Producer, said: "Aunty Alison's generosity and deep knowledge are already shaping who we are. Having her guide us is not just meaningful — it's transformative for the festival and our community."

This role has been made possible by the generosity of the 2025 Words in Winter artists, who paid their artist fees forward to create the inaugural First Nations Engagement Fund. You know who you are. and thank you.