Unbridled: Unleashing Women’s Voices Through Poetry | Perth Poetry Festival 2026

Perth Poetry Festival 2026

Unbridled: Unleashing Women’s Voices Through Poetry

Workshop · Poetry Reading · Open Mic

Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026

Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

Venue: Midland Town Hall, 312 Great Eastern Highway, Midland WA 6056

“What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would break open.” — Muriel Rukeyser

Unbridled is a morning of poetry, creative writing and performance that places women’s voices at the centre.

Presented by WA Poets Inc as part of Perth Poetry Festival 2026, the event begins with a women’s poetry workshop led by Melissa Domiati, followed by a poetry reading hosted by Jaya Penelope, featuring invited poets and an open mic.

This gathering is an invitation to write honestly, listen deeply and connect through the spoken and written word. It brings together women of different ages, backgrounds, cultures and levels of writing experience in a supportive creative space.

Whether you are an established poet, new to writing, a lover of language, or simply looking for a space to listen and reflect, you are welcome to be part of the morning.

Program

• Women’s Poetry Workshop with Melissa Domiati

• Refreshment and lunch break

• Feature Poetry Readings

• Women’s Open Mic

The workshop and open mic are open to all who identify as women. Audience members of all genders are warmly welcome to attend and support the poets and performers.

Featuring

• Phoebe Brown-Roberts

• Kaitlyn Sun

• Ellie Cottrell

Additional feature poets to be announced.

Workshop Facilitator

Melissa Domiati is a Boorloo-based poet and educator who “writes to breathe”, empowering others by holding meditative writing circles and workshops across the globe. She is passionate about bringing more poetry into the world, especially through the voices of women. She is currently writing a new collection of poetry around cultivating calm and stillness.

Hosted by

Jaya Penelope is a poet and oral storyteller from Walyalup/Fremantle who first found her voice among women. Jaya has performed her poetry, told stories and facilitated workshops at women’s festivals, women’s refuges and retreats throughout Western Australia. She also runs a much-loved weekly women’s creative writing circle that has been gathering around her kitchen table for ten years. Her debut poetry collection is forthcoming from WA Poets Publishing.

What to bring

Bring along a notebook and your favourite pen. Come ready to write, listen, share if you wish, and spend a morning in the company of other women writers and poetry lovers.

Accessibility

Please contact WA Poets Inc if you have specific access requirements so we can assist wherever possible.

Acknowledgement of Country

This event takes place on Whadjuk Noongar Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge that this always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Come together for a morning of writing, listening and poetry that gives women’s voices room to be heard.

Visit perthpoetryfestival.com for the full festival program and more information.

Book your place for Unbridled.