Byron Writers Festival’s twitterati was as active as ever on the 2017 festival’s first day.

And after 2016’s stormy start, festival-goers could not have asked for more perfect weather…

#hashtag #ByronWF2017 pic.twitter.com/ruqX2Tk6wa

— Rees Quilford (@destinationq) August 4, 2017

…or when it came to the line up. One of the most popular sessions on on twitter was Millenials Strike Back with Jennifer Down, Bri Lee and Kayla Rae Whitaker, because, well, millennials are great on social media, and they have plenty to say about everything from employment, creativity and the pursuit or home ownership versus …

Make sure to pick up some avocado on toast later to complete the millennial experience 😛 #byronwf2017 https://t.co/SurlAaitkh

— Megan A. Morgan (@_MeganAMorgan_) August 4, 2017

The Millennials Strike Back panel was my see-it-to-be-it wet dream. Already my highlight of #byronwf2017 pic.twitter.com/CgRfLnmt1R

— Sheree Strange (@shereestrange) August 4, 2017

Most of the authors were published in the recent Griffith Review 56: Millennials Strike Back edition, co-edited by session chair Jerath Head.

@GriffithREVIEW and @federalfuture workmate, Jerath Head leading the millennials panel ?? #byronwf2017 pic.twitter.com/qAmi9arq0l

— Sian Robinson (@siancaitlinrose) August 4, 2017

As always, journalism and politics at the festival were popular topics. Dirty politics: Blowback and Repercussions with Malcolm Farr, Caro Meldrum-Hanna and Laura Tingle generated a rowdy crowd and heated twitter conversation:

"The best way to get rich in this country is to get Public Office" @farrm51 – Dirty Politics: Blowback and Repercussions #ByronWF2017

— Michelle Williams (@MiA_Will) August 4, 2017

Huge turnout to Dirty Politics #byronwf2017 @AMTiernan @latingle @farrm51 @MatthewCondon2 pic.twitter.com/u034EuaTMx

— Sian Robinson (@siancaitlinrose) August 4, 2017

Tracey Spicer and Lisa Wilkinson had the twitter crowd all a-flutter as well.

"The beauty myth is an important issue. It’s how women have been judged for centuries." @TraceySpicer #byronwf2017

— byronwritersfest (@bbwritersfest) August 4, 2017

Omg guys, @TraceySpicer is here in an all-white two piece suit and THIS IS WHY SHE IS A QUEEN. NOT ONE VISIBLE SPILL! #byronwf2017

— Sheree Strange (@shereestrange) August 4, 2017

Roger Cohen, New York Times journalist, was equally disparaging and eloquent on American politics.

'I want to respect my president but I can't' @NYTimesCohen #byronwf2017 pic.twitter.com/HrtXxKbh9q

— Rosemarie Milsom (@RosemarieMilsom) August 4, 2017

'Any despot wants a disoriented population' @NYTimesCohen on @realDonaldTrump #byronwf2017

— Rosemarie Milsom (@RosemarieMilsom) August 4, 2017

What a great first day – 38 sessions in all – and it’s got us all looking forward to the next two days.

For the seventh year in a row, Southern Cross University students will be reporting through the Byron Writers Festival blog and twitter right through until Sunday night.

Sara Runciman is a Southern Cross University Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications student.