An eco moron Tom Doig at the Byron Bay Writers Festival

Tom Doig a self described writer, performer, producer and moron. I would go on to add eco warrior, environmental enthusiast and really good bike rider. Aware of his carbon footprint and on notification of his appearance at the 2013 Byron Bay Writers Festival (from 2nd to 4th August) he has decided to make the arduous journey from Melbourne to Byron Bay by bus instead of flying to limit his carbon footprint.

Based in Melbourne, Tom is originally from Wellington in New Zealand. Upon moving to Melbourne 11 years ago he has written for a number of Melbourne publications including The Big Issue, Sleepers Almanac, The Lifted Brow and Voiceworks. His theatre works include Survival of the Prettiest, The Badness Hour, Hitlerhoff, One-Arm and Three-Arms in the Swamp and Selling Ice to the Remains of the Eskimos.

But perhaps his most exciting work to date is his work in his book Moron to Moron: Two Men, Two Bikes, One Mongolian Misadventure. Where Tom and his best mate Tama Pugsley attempted to ride 1,400km across Northern Mongolia from a town called Moron to a smaller town called Moron. This adventure not only sparked a book but a performance, a blog and now the beginnings of a short documentary film.

Tom is also currently a PhD candidate at Monash University, researching and writing a non-fiction book about the lived experience of climate change in Australia.

Tom will be appearing at a number sessions at the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival but one of particular interest is his session on Saturday the 3rd of August at 4:15pm at the Macquarie Marquee with journalist and seasoned traveller Dominic Dunne, Ma Thanegi from Myanmar and Maria Tumarkin. Maria Tumarkin is from what was then known as The Soviet Union and shares her moving stories of immigration with her Russian family. The session called is called “Broadening the Mind, Shrinking the World” and will focus on travel and the ethics of travel vs. climate change, with local comedian, author and speaker Many Nolan chairing the session.

Interestingly it is to be noted, The Byron Bay Writers festival is introducing a new eco rule; no water bottles will be sold on site this year. But don’t worry you won’t be left thirsty as long as you bring your own bottles you can purchase refills. And for the thirsty writer’s having to do all the speaking they will receive metal drinking bottles to keep.

For a complete Byron Bay Writer’s Festival program and to purchase tickets visit: www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au