And basking in the glory of last year’s success, the expanded 2016 festival will run for three days and feature more panels and workshops.

Founding director Denise Russell said the aim in 2016 is to tap into the excitement in the community generated from last year’s festival.

“There was a lot of excitement about it and a lot of people said we must keep it going because it really added something to the cultural life of Thirroul,’’ she said.

“We’ve listened to the people and have expanded the program this year.’’

Running from Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4, the festival will be based principally at the Thirroul Community Centre but also branches out to other spaces.

“We have a more varied and engaging program than ever with topical and award-winning personalities,’’ Ms Russell said.

While there will be a preview event on the Friday night, featuring acclaimed Scottish poet Pamela Bessant, the Hon. Linda Burney will officially open the festival on the Saturday.

“She will come fresh from her first days in office as the first Indigenous woman in the Federal House of Representatives. Linda will discuss her remarkable life with her biographer,’’ Ms Russell said.

The impressive cast of speakers and artists coming to the region to take part include multi-award winning novelist Marion Halligan, poet John Stokes and Robyn Cadwallader, author of The Anchoress.

Panellists, including Walkley award-winning journalists Chris Masters and Nonee Walsh, will tackle some provocative topics.

Prized and prize-winning writers and performers from the local area include Lynne Cook, Disapol Savetsila, Sandon Groves, Shady Cosgrove, Stephen Guest, Cat Sparks, Rob Hood and Mark Mordue.

The presence of Aunty Barbara Nicholson, two other Aboriginal speakers and the Hon Linda Burney, underlines an important goal as all proceeds from the festival go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.