Category: A Pictorial Post

The Geelong Booktrovert Event at the Books & Brew Café

This afternoon we attended the very first Booktrovert Meet & Greet + Book Swap at the welcoming Books & Brew Café in North Geelong. Running from 11am to 3pm, the event marked the launch of a new bookish community for Geelong and surrounds — a space for readers, writers, and quiet creatives to gather and feel at home.
The café was alive with friendly conversations, book swapping, and curious visitors learning about the new Fiction and Non‑Fiction Book Clubs. Local indie authors and makers had their work on display, adding a lovely creative buzz to the room. It was the kind of gathering where strangers quickly became bookish friends, and where the simple joy of sharing stories felt like the heart of the afternoon.
A wonderful first chapter for the Booktrovert community — and a warm, memorable day at Books & Brew.

Over at Weekly Prompts, this weekend’s challenge word is Fruitful.
The Booktrovert gathering turned out to be a truly “fruitful” afternoon at Books & Brew — full of new faces, shared stories, and the quiet joy of creative community. To visit their fabulous site, please click >> Here


Books & Brew Café — the perfect welcome for Geelong’s first Booktrovert gathering.
A bright, inviting front view where readers, writers, and quiet creatives wandered in with curiosity and smiles.


The counter humming with coffee, conversation, and that gentle Booktrovert buzz.
Frankie’s chosen table — our little home base amid the warmth of the afternoon.


Local indie authors and makers showcasing their work — a colourful corner of creativity and community.


A lively crowd filling the café with book swapping, friendly chats, and new connections. A beautiful first chapter for the Booktrovert community.


Captured moments by Catherine — fellow Geelong Writers poet and generous friend.
A lovely snapshot of us together, celebrating stories and community.
Her images reflect the heart of the day: warmth, camaraderie, and shared creative spirit.





A wonderful first chapter for the Booktrovert community — full of warmth, curiosity, and connection. Books & Brew proved the perfect home for this new creative gathering, and I’m already looking forward to the next event.







Ivor Steven ©  September 2026

“Spirit Bird”

There are moments when a song gathers everyone in the room into one breath. Watching “Spirit Bird” live in Brussels, I felt that pull — a reminder that we’ve walked this path before, laughed and cried before, stood on this same wounded ground before. And still, the spirit rises.


Morning’s silent wings keep tracing the same old stories.




“Spirit Bird”


Yes, we’ve seen it all before
“Give it time, and we wonder why,
do what we can, laugh, and we cry
And we sleep in your dust
because we’ve seen this all before.”
… The finale lyrics from Xavier Rudd’s emotional song “Spirit Bird.”






Ivor Steven ©  April 2026

Photos From Our Time in Booktown.

Photos From Our Time in Booktown.

Friday afternoon
Was set‑up time for both the Bookstall Vendors and the Food Vendors — a quiet buzz of preparation before the weekend unfolded.


Saturday:
Was all about settling in and getting to know our fellow book vendors in Marquee T — Robert, Janette, Suzanne & Karen, Collin, and Lynette.

Although officially “T”, we were affectionately nicknamed the Zombie Marquee, thanks to Robert’s eye‑catching banner at the entrance.


Of course, my assistant salesman was the true star attraction of my bookstall.

Down at ground level, under the tables, Frankie and the little girl next door — tucked beneath her dad’s table of books — became fast friends.

Every now and then, we wandered through the festival to soak up the wonderful carnival atmosphere.


There was dancing in the streets, violin music drifting from a balcony, giant book readers roaming about, and even Larry the Lizard slithered into our tent to say hello.


Sunday brought another magical day of sunshine, stories, and festival energy.
If you have Facebook, hopefully the link below will open for you:
>> https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffb.watch%2FF-r0NXVzFK%2F%3Ffs%3De%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExam42MWJ1a0lvdmZHajNkSHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6zEi-V3RRYcEtu31mWJm9y9GYGr7MJi0z2aH6k___S3IhogIluLB69kOw15A_aem_EbG9tWQj2hbxUzTPQdLTIQ&h=AT6GGOr3lyKaFT5AxusRGenQaPeF_uot1i_Kf4PGHX5pxXJ7M-5nUBolH71yQCOvD6KfzPCEEXsB_aU7b03SJKwu2kSqsNDQ_oZp0bYIeQvge89RYUfgAw_PfdlA-Ii9_NTMKg

After a magical weekend in Booktown, the wagon rolls home with tired feet and happy hearts.


And as the last notes fade, we carry Booktown home with us — tired feet, full hearts, and memories that will linger long after the carnival is over.










Ivor Steven ©  March 2026

Australia Day, Lunch at the “Cafe”

Box Office Cafe
https://www.boxofficecafe.com.au


Frankie is patiently waiting for his bacon pieces


My lunch/meal was a delicious Japanese, Okonomiyaki


Okonomiyaki: House-made Japanese cabbage & spring onion savoury pancake, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, BBQ pulled pork, fried egg, topped with bean shoot, coriander, pickled ginger, chilli, cucumber, edamame & snow pea shoot garnish, sesame seeds & fried shallots






Ivor Steven ©  January 2026

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, January 17th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up“









Ivor Steven (c) Jan 2026

Christmas Eve, Frankie Goes To Ballarat

The day before Christmas, and as usual, we are traveling to Ballarat for the week to enjoy the festive season with our brother and sister. My brother kindly drove down from Ballarat to pick us up.

Frankie is packed and ready to go … Frankie is in the back seat on the way to Ballarat


Frankie quickly makes himself at home in the bedroom and on the lounge with my brother, Lawrie


Then, after dinner, we go for a pleasant walk up Black Hill.


At the end of the day, Frankie is due for a good night’s sleep







Ivor Steven (c) December 2025

Frankie’s Market Day

7.00 am, walkies time, and Frankie spots a Rabbit

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8.00 am Breakfast, then a short nap before we go

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9.00 am In the car, ready to go, and the local magpie waves us goodbye

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9.30 am, We are at our Market stall. Frankie is helping me set up shop.

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10.00 am, and we are all set and ready for market opening time

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Frankie seems to have everything under control

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Ivor Steven (c) December 2025

Creative Geelong Group’s 10th Anniversary

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the vibrant celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Creative Geelong Group. Hosted at the Makers Hub — the beating heart of Geelong’s creative community, nestled in the Centrepoint Arcade on Little Malop Street — the event brought together artists, innovators, and supporters in a joyful gathering of shared vision and local pride.


Jen Cromarty, our dynamic and dedicated chairperson, welcomed guests with heartfelt reflections on the group’s journey, from its grassroots beginnings to its current role as a catalyst for creativity across the region. The evening buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the hum of possibility, as members mingled among storefronts and installations that showcased the diversity and depth of Geelong’s creative talent.


As the evening unfolded, the celebrations were punctuated by moments of surprise and delight — including a raffle draw that added a splash of serendipity to the night. I was fortunate enough to win one of the prizes: a captivating painting that now rests in my care. Its expressive strokes and vibrant hues seem to echo the energy of the event itself — a reminder of the artistry and generosity that define our community.










Ivor Steven (c) November 2025