Bravewords

This story is called WALLY. Hold on to your paddles, it’s the swinging 70’s! Michael Kilp was born and bred on the central coast.  He and his wife ran the paddleboat business, Aquafun, on Avoca Beach Lagoon for 26 years, hence his nickname, Paddleboat Mick. Mick never dreamed he could write a great story but he had a lot locked in him. Bravewords writing courses have drawn them out and our community love listening to them through BRAVEWORDS LIVE. Now we’re thrilled to share them around the world. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter

Linda is a medical practitioner and writer. She works across essay, memoir and fiction. She has been widely published, featuring in Australian Book review, Kill Your Darlings, Westwords Living Stories, Zinewest, Grieve 2024 and Persephone Literary Journal, amongst others.Her debut novel will be published in February 2027 by Summit Simon and Schuster, and she is currently featuring in Parramatta's Lit as a storyteller alongside several other Bravewords performers. Her first play, The Leftovers, is to be performed as a rehearsed reading at Riverside Theatre in September.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

Rob is co-host of Bravewords Live, alongside his wife Adrienne Ferreira.Rob is an actor, writer and director. His current story telling show, VIRGIN IN A KNIFE FIGHT, is touring nationally in 2026. For more information follow @robbyjcarlton on insta. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

Luke Carman’s debut work of fiction, An Elegant Young Man, won the 2014 NSW Premier’s New Writing Award and was shortlisted for the ALS Gold Medal, the Steele Rudd Short Story Prize and the Readings New Writing Award. His essay collection, Intimate Antipathies, was published in June 2019. His collection of stories, An Ordinary Ecstasy, was published in July 2022. Luke is the 2025 Judy Harris Writer-in-Residence Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

Donne Restom is a singer, writer and storyteller. She is the founder of sell-out storytelling event, Kink in the Tale: Storytelling for Grownups and her debut one woman show, Everyone in my Family is Dead or About to be was nominated for Sydney Fringe 2024’s Best in Theatre Award. Donné has written and released three albums, and her fourth is scheduled for release next year.Tix for Donne's January show in Gosford: https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/eimfid/2026-01-10/This story was recorded live at the Funhaus Factory in Gosford. Music courtesy of Sean Peter