True Story is a festival of ideas and the best creative non-fiction being written in Australia today.

It’s free of censorship, codes of conduct and ideological prescription. We’ve selected trusted voices to share insights into how to navigate this sometimes bewildering world we find ourselves in. Come and be part of the conversation.

There was a sinister, dark underside to the life of MR WOLLONGONG, the former mayor Frank Arkell. Author and historian Erik Eklund tells Professor Sue Turnbull how he uncovered the secrets of Arkell’s network and his brutal murder.

Non-fiction authors walk among us! TRUE LOCALS biographer Jeff Apter, journalists Erin O’Dwyer and Jeremy Lasek and Electrify Everything guru Saul Griffiths tell ABC Illawarra host Melinda James about their exciting new titles.

Two of the best new Australian biographers bring to life remarkable lives that deserve another look, FROM OCEAN TO MOUNTAIN. Vicki Hastrich celebrates author Zane Grey, while Anthony Sharwood travels in the footsteps of his hero, Tadeusz Kosciuscko, in conversation with Caroline Baum.

Stella Prize-winning historian Professor Clare Wright delivers our keynote address, A WAY FORWARD, telling the story behind the ṉäku dhäruk (bark petitions) created by the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land to stake their claim to their country, thereby sparking the beginning of the land rights movement that ultimately acknowledged legal native title. Following the address, Clare will be in conversation with Jaymee Beveridge.

Nothing could be more topical than conspiracy theories. Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson, co-authors of Conspiracy Nation, and Tracey Kirkland, editor of Age of Doubt, discuss all things media with fearless commentator Jan Fran — YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!

From monuments to documents, men have been the main characters in our history. Historian Dr Yves Rees and author Sita Sargeant, the founder of the She Shapes History walking tours, upend this and explain why THE REST IS HER STORY.

THE F WORD is used a lot these days in conversations about the US and right-wing politics, but what exactly is fascism? Michael Samaras explains what prompted a Wollongong steelworker to go and fight against it in the Spanish Civil War while Dennis Glover looks back at historical fascism and sounds the alarm with Siobhan McHugh.

In public, they looked poised, confident and fearless, but as high-profile social researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley and acclaimed musical star of Phantom of the Opera Josh Piterman both admit to Dr Jackie Bailey, they were haunted by trauma and anxiety. So how did they find a way to cope? HEAD ON.