mmg.com.au

Literary insights and lantern-toting children formed part of a busy weekend for the SheppARTon Festival.

Events continued both days — including a special lunch with book enthusiasts on Saturday, a well-attended Dookie winery event that evening and live music in the park to round off a lazy Sunday.

Distinguished broadcaster, writer and former ABC journalist Ramona Koval spoke to a large crowd at Shepparton’s Parklake Hotel for a Literary Lunch.

She discussed her career along with some amusing anecdotes and said a person’s bookshelf can reveal a lot about who they are.

Ms Koval also spent time autographing copies of her new book titled By The Book.

It describes the art of reading and talks about what Ms Koval has personally got out of several classic titles. The book covers Oliver Sacks to Oscar Wilde and Christina Stead to Grace Paley.

Meanwhile, the Emerging Voices Community Event on Saturday night drew thousands to Tallis Winery at Dookie.

A large turtle was a focal point of the night — it had been carefully crafted by ploughing the shape in a paddock.

When night fell, children and parents carried lanterns around the turtle-shape to light up the artistic creation.

In addition, entertainment including a choir filled the air.

The night has been hailed a big success by the festival’s artistic director John Head.

On Sunday, a series of free family activities unfolded at Victoria Park Lake — including a performance by Hannah Magee as part of Chillaxation, a ukulele performance and some artistic fun.

A series of free film screenings will take place tomorrow, also part of the festival, at Eastbank from 7pm to 9pm. The four short films will tell compelling stories from Shepparton’s early migrant history.