Eudunda was inundated with storytellers from around the state and overseas for the Eudunda Storytelling & Book Festival which was held on the 3rd and 4th of October.      

The Campfire Yarning on the Friday night was opened with a story from Mongolia, called Suho and the White Horse.  The international flavour continued with stories from China and the statue of Liberty and a hilarious true life story of Dutch tourists crossing crocodile infested rivers in the Northern Territory, told by the Dutch storytellers (tourists) themselves.  The popular event was well supported despite the intermittent rain, with children and many locals being inspired to tell a story of their own.  Many of the performers of the festival chose to attend the campfire yarning night prior to performing on the Saturday, enjoying the atmosphere that only a campfire and rural setting can provide.     

The line up of performers for the Main Event on the Saturday was a great mix of various storytelling mediums with local performers Trevor (Digger) Rowland, Robin Dreckow & Margaret Noack singing for the appreciative audience and five times South Australian Champion Bush Poet, Anne Rogers from Owen, once again performed her wonderful bush poetry.     

The opening address was given by Sandra Winter- Dewhirst from 891 ABC Radio, as David Bevan was unable to attend.   Ruth Carson and Graham Ross wowed the audience with a performance from Uncle Gustav’s Ghost as a tribute to Eudunda and Colin Thiele, which was extremely well received.  The piece had taken many hours of practice on their behalf, which showed in their excellent delivery of the story.    

People could be forgiven for thinking they were at a cabaret with Adelaide performer Robin Schmelzkopf singing up a storm and also reciting a hilarious poem called “Doreen”, inspired by Shakespeare!  The audience was also able to appreciate the beautiful voice of Danielle Mudge and enjoy poems from Bruce Bilney and stories from local tellers Frank Herriman and Allan Kleinig.    

The children were treated to facepainting and interactive storytelling in the Kidzone area with Author Rosanne Hawke telling some Cornish tales and Total Learning running activities.    

In the lead up to the official events of the festival representatives of the Storytellers Guild of Australia, Ruth Carson and Graham Ross, told stories at the Eudunda Family Heritage Gallery and in return were treated to a guided tour of the Colin Thiele Drive thanks to local historian Jim Reese. In the afternoon they visited the Eudunda Senior Citizens Hostel .  Locals had the chance to share their stories with Ruth and Graham, with members of the Hostel enjoying the opportunity to tell stories about times gone by, including such delights as how to make "Quark" and real stories about visits by Uncle Gustav to the family home.     

The Festivals major sponsor for 2008 was Events South Australia, with many local businesses taking the opportunity to sponsor a fun local event. Eudunda can look forward to the next Storytelling and Book Festival in 2010.