Our Reading Team
Melissa Fattore | President & Founder
With over 6 years of book selling experience in the Riverina, a Bachelor of Social Work and a passion for sharing her book recommendations on Mel Reviews Her Books blog, Melissa Fattore founded and leads Riverina Readers Festival Inc.
Favourite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak
Jennie Burns | Secretary
Founder and creator of the River & Wren Markets, Jennie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to community connections, supporting local businesses and spreading the good word about the appetite for talent in our region. After handing on the baton of the River & Wren Markets, Jennie joined our committee with a passion and drive for sharing the joy of reading.
Favourite Book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Annabel Bowcher | Vice-President
Annabel is a Science Communicator with a passion for volunteering and connecting community. She has been involved in starting local agricultural discussion groups for women; local Sustainable Living Festivals and most recently, UNISONg, a women’s community choir. Annabel is a firm believer that books in all their forms help start conversations that matter. She believes that everyone should be able to see themselves on the pages of a book so that they can feel empowered and supported. Discovering the lack of middle grade chapter books for neurodivergent children living with perceptual dyslexia, Annabel made it her mission to create her own. The Story Weavers of Bacalen series (The Story Snatchers and The Picture Pinchers) is a whirling tale of adventure and mystery, inspired by her own children’s creative imaginations.
Favourite Book: That is like choosing a favourite child.
“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you need them most.” - Emma Thompson
Helen Mundy | Treasurer
Helen has a love of books and volunteering for our community. Her community roles consist of President, Wagga Wagga High School P&C, Chair of Freeroam Theatre Company, Secretary of Wagga Wagga Water Polo and Treasurer of Wagga Community Band. Helen is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws where there is a lot of reading! In between trimesters, she crams in reading for pleasure.
Favourite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee & The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Meg Mundy | Committee Member
By spending her gap year working in local politics and understanding the needs of our local community, Meg brings a fresh perspective to our committee. Driven to achieve big things like her family, we love watching Meg grow and contribute her fabulous ideas to the Riverina Readers Festival.
Favourite Book: Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven
Samantha Leah | Committee Member
Historian, curator, avid reader of all genres, fiction and non-fiction, Sam is also a proud indie romance tragic. As an emerging writer, she has been an InScribe mentee, was awarded an ASA Copyright agency mentorship and was the 2021 winner of the Historical Novelists Society of Australia ‘First Pages Pitch’ competition. She passionately believes that readers are at the heart of good writing.
Favourite Book: The Princess Bride by William Goldman (and yes, it’s also her favourite movie)
Christine Bolton | Wagga Wagga City Library Partner
Chrissie has the largest appetite for books and reading, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. From managing and working in libraries, to incorporating the written word through drama performances, Chrissie has enormous book expertise.
Favourite Book & Quote: The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Morris 'Art will wake you up. Art will break your heart. There will be glorious days. If you want eternity you must be fearless.'