Antoun Issa: Rebirth: A Love Story from the Depths of War
In this powerful conversation, journalist and author Antoun Issa reflects on the deeply personal journey behind uncovering his mother’s story — a love story shaped by war, displacement and resilience. Through Rebirth, Antoun explores the courage it takes to revisit family history and the importance of preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. This moving discussion considers memory, identity and the ways personal histories help us better understand the world we live in today.
Event #05 – RACV Torquay Resort
10:00am-10:45am
Cost: $25
Antoun Issa
Antoun Issa is a distinguished Lebanese-Australian journalist and the co-founder of Deepcut News. With a career spanning over a decade across three continents, Antoun has built a reputation for navigating complex geopolitical landscapes and shaping editorial strategies for global media outlets.
After earning a Master of International Relations from the Australian National University, Antoun moved to Lebanon in 2011. There, he served as a news editor for Al-Monitor, providing critical coverage during the peak of the Arab Spring. In 2015, his expertise took him to Washington, D.C., where he spent two years as an editor and fellow at the Middle East Institute before joining The Atlantic as an editorial strategist, focusing on audience engagement and digital innovation.
Since returning to Australia in 2020, Antoun has continued to influence the local media landscape, most recently through his work with Guardian Australia. Now, through Deepcut News, he remains at the forefront of modern journalism, blending deep international expertise with a commitment to high-impact storytelling.
Moderator – Kate Halfpenny
Kate Halfpenny has been an award-winning writer, editor and commentator for four decades, covering celebrities, controversies and newsmakers for Who, Vogue, Marie Claire and ABC Radio. Since 2021, her weekly columns for The Age have explored midlife, relationships and ageing, as does her debut book Boogie Wonderland. A mum of three and former synchronised trampoline champion, she’s madly in love with her husband and has played Tetris daily since 1991.
Take a look at our other sessions
This year’s line-up also includes bestselling and award-winning authors including Sarah Bailey and J.P. Pomare, who will take to the stage for a special live recording of their podcast, “He Read, She Read”, alongside acclaimed writers Alli Sinclair, Antoun Issa, Melissa Manning, Mark Smith, Tanya Scott, Brendan Cullen and Paul Mitchell, Emma Hardy, Kate Halfpenny and many more.