MC
INTERVIEWER
FACILITATOR
As an interviewer, MC and facilitator, I bring twenty years of cultural leadership to the stage - hosting conversations with some of Australia's most acclaimed writers and thinkers. I’d love to bring that same experience to your next event.
FEATURED CONVERSATIONS
Recent interviews and speaker engagements include conversations with Hannah Kent, Markus Zusak, Shankari Chandran and Richard Glover.
Amy has hosted sessions for Sydney Writers' Festival, Newcastle Writers' Festival, Blue Mountains Writers' Festival, Northern Territory Writers' Festival, bookshops and libraries.
ABOUT
Each interview is a chance to explore something new
Amy Sambrooke is an experienced MC and interviewer with two decades of experience across Australia's arts, media and public policy sectors. She brings her wide range of experience and interests, and her warmth and genuine curiosity to every event and interview she hosts.
Amy was the Artistic Director of the Blue Mountains Writers' Festival from 2019-2023, building a reputation for thoughtful, well-prepared, and generous programming. She has since gone on to host and interview at some of the country's leading literary festivals.
Her career began at ABC Sydney, where she produced top-rating talk programs and developed a deep understanding of what makes a conversation work for an audience - on air and in the room.
BACKGROUND
Amy's hosting work is grounded in a substantial career in the cultural sector:
Learning & Development Manager, Varuna the National Writers’ House (2023-ongoing)
Artistic Director, Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival (2019-2023)
Creative Director, Varuna, the National Writers' House (2017–2023) - led national strategy for literature development, overseeing residencies, fellowships and partnerships supporting 300+ artists annually
Manager, Communications, Education & Community, Whitlam Institute (2009–2017) - led public engagement, media and communications, and heritage interpretation at the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection and historic Female Orphan School
Sessional Academic, UNSW School of Art, Design & Architecture (2025–ongoing)
Create NSW Artform Board
Peer Assessor, Creative Australia
Producer, ABC Radio Sydney
