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Scott Bevan

Published on 28 May 2024

Winner of the 2024 Lake Mac Artist and Creator of the Year

Wangi resident Scott Bevan has spent his life immersed in water and words.

With nearly 40 years of experience as a journalist and broadcaster, Scott has authored seven books and three plays, drawing inspiration from the environment and people of Lake Macquarie.

Through his kayaking adventures on iconic waterways and interviews with locals for books such as The Lake and Return to the Hunter, Scott intricately blends history, characters, cultures, environmental issues and anecdotes to narrate the story of our region.

We asked Scott a few questions about his passion for Lake Macquarie.

Why do you love doing what you do in Lake Macquarie?

As a writer, the lake provides everything from inspiration to calm for me. And it also provides the perfect distraction – to go kayaking. Beyond the lake itself, the community is wonderful, being diverse and supportive.

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What drew you to Lake Macquarie and how has your experience been living here?

I'm originally from Newcastle. Being a Novocastrian, the lake was part of my life growing up. I put roots down by the lake in 1999, although I frequently had to pull up those roots because of work commitments elsewhere, then I moved to the lake full-time in 2016. Life by the lake has been wonderful.

Why do you love living in Lake Macquarie?

I love that Lake Macquarie is close enough to everything, and connected to just about anything I need, yet it feels gloriously distant from so many of the worries of the world – especially when I'm kayaking on its waters.

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What are some hidden gems or lesser-known perks about living in Lake Macquarie that you think more people should know about?

It's not hidden, but Pulbah Island is the gem of the lake. It rises like a jewel from the water, and I love kayaking around it. Pulbah never fails to show a new aspect of its character, another side to its stunning face, whenever I paddle around it. I began my kayaking journey 20 years ago by paddling to Pulbah. It is why I got a kayak, to get to the island. After all the journeys I've undertaken in the past couple of decades, the journey around Pulbah remains my favourite paddle.

Discover more about Scott Bevan's books online.

Each year we celebrate unsung heroes from our community that help make our city a great place to live.