PHIVE Presents Term 4: Poetry Fortunes

Find your voice and fine-tune your skills in Poetry Fortunes.

Poetry Fortunes is an 8-week creative writing and poetry program for young people aged 13-17.

Learn from acclaimed Western Sydney poets and artists Bilal Hafda and Kevin Ngo, who will guide participants through the creative process of turning ideas, experiences, and observations into powerful pieces of writing and poetry. All experience levels are welcome.

Weeks 1-6
Participants will explore the craft of poetry and creative writing, learning techniques to develop ideas, shape stories and bring their words to life. Through guided activities and feedback, young writers will create original pieces inspired by their own experiences, observations, heartbreaks, hopes and dreams. Along the way, participants will discover how language can help us understand ourselves, connect with others and see the world from new perspectives.

Weeks 7-8
In the final weeks of the program, participants will transform their original poems into handmade origami fortune cookies. These unique poetry fortunes will become part of a public artwork at PHIVE. A selection of participants will also have the opportunity to share their work at a public poetry reading, giving them the experience of presenting their writing to a live audience.

By the end of the program, participants will have developed practical writing skills, created original work, and contributed to a public creative project that shares their voices with the wider community.

Date: Wednesdays, 21st October - 9th December 2026
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Location: Dharug Country, Makers Space 2, Level 3, PHIVE 5 Parramatta Square
Cost: $120 workshop fee covers all 8 classes. Individual classes are not available.

All materials provided

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• This program is strictly for young people aged between 13 - 17 years of age.
• Please note there are no refunds for change of mind or personal circumstances.
• For access requirements please contact phivetickets@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.

About Bilal Hadfa:
Bilal Hafda is a spoken-word artist, poet, and educator with a passion for storytelling and community engagement. He is the founder and creative director of Guest House Publishing and the Artistic Director of the Bankstown Poetry Slam. Hafda has published work in various literary journals and has a debut poetry collection titled "An Army of Light." He trained as a high school English teacher and currently runs creative writing workshops in-person and online across Australia. His work often addresses themes of radical joy, love, and the search for light, reflecting his experiences and the impact of domestic violence on young people. Hafda's dedication to education and community engagement is evident in his role as a domestic violence advocate and his involvement in the RESPECT program, which aims to foster positive relationships among young boys in Western Sydney.

About Kevin Ngo:
Kevin Ngo is a writer, performer and community arts worker based in Southwest Sydney. He has worked with organisations including Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company and the Bankstown Poetry Slam on a variety of projects including community events and theatre productions. Most of his work revolves around his life in Sydney or exploring political issues. Kevin has performed at events such as the Sydney Writers Festival and the Biennale of Sydney. He currently works at BYDS at the Bankstown Arts Centre as the administrator and projects assistant.

Image credit: Kevin Ngo
 

PHIVE sits on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal of the Dharug nation and we acknowledge Burramatta as significant place of ceremony, story and tradition. We pay our respects to Dharug Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future and extend our respect to all First Nations people joining this program and visiting PHIVE.