Join us for a weekend of writing, relaxing, and telling it like it is.
Be | Write | Hear is a retreat for writers seeking serenity and self-expression set in the stunning lands of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Peoples (The Great Ocean Road).
Facilitated by spoken word artist and award winning poet, Fleassy Malay, this weekend will be a mix of guided writing sessions and self-time to relax and focus on your own practice whilst connecting with other writers and creatives. All this, set to a backdrop of ocean-views and highland cows.
Be | Write | Hear is run with LGBTQIA+ people and women in mind and is the perfect respite for giving your craft the focus, love, dedication, and reverence it deserves.
All served, of course, with the fierce-gentle sass of Fleassy Malay.
Quick Overview
Session times will be facilitated by Fleassy Malay. They will be primarily focused on writing with a light sharing element. Each session is optional and you can choose to attend or take space for self-directed practice.
There will be a session specifically focused on self-publishing.
Free time you are welcome to explore the local beaches, rest-and-write on site, or even drive down the road to Apollo Bay.
Evenings will involve a casual hang-out space with a lightly facilitated opportunity for poetry sharing. You can also use this time to write, play games, connect or leave the site and explore the local area as you want.
Meals are provided. Breakfast will be self-serve at your own pace and lunch and dinner will be sit-down and eat together.
Alcohol and Substances there may be wine in the space for evening use only, however generally the retreat is intended to be low consumption. Smoking is not allowed in any of the buildings and will be restricted to designated areas on site. No illegal drugs on site please.
This retreat is gender inclusive (all gender identities are welcome) however there is a zero tolerance for misogyny, racism, and any form of homophobia or transphobia. The content will likely centre the experiences of women and LBTQIA+ people, if this is uncomfortable for you it will not be the right retreat for you.
Accessibility The venue is unfortunately not accessible to wheelchairs. There are a small number of steps around the site but no large or long staircases.
About Your Facilitator
Fleassy Malay
(They/Them/She/Her)
Fleassy Malay (They/Them/She/Her)
Two times TEDx speaker, award winning poet, Fleassy Malay, is an internationally renowned, evocative and powerful spoken word artist, speaker and educator. They are a global advocate for Women’s and LGBTQI+ rights and a fierce voice for the power of authenticity and courage as a social change tool.
Fleassy is the founder of Melbourne’s acclaimed NFP organisation and Women’s Spoken Word event, Mother Tongue Poetry.
As an educator, Fleassy facilitates and mentors on courage, confidence, and public speaking both through their own programs (such as SpeakUP, and RISE – Speaker Training) and through partnering with organisations and groups.
Fleassy has a theatrical and yet deeply authentic performance, writing, and speaking style, renowned for captivating their audiences with depth, honesty, and humour. They are a passionate, powerful, vulnerable and honest performer who’s words leave a profound impression.
It is good to note: Fleassy does swear and express themselves through creative and honest language that some (who are not used to it) might find surprising. Basically, if the word Moist makes you unbearably uncomfortable you may need to prepare yourself.
For understanding and informed communication it is also good to be aware that Fleassy is also ADHD, Autistic, and has Prosopagnosia (which means they do not recognise faces very easily). They are also a powerhouse of creativity. Thanks.
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