After one year as a Platinum Partner of Stella, Quest Apartment Hotels is reflecting on a partnership grounded in shared values and brought to life through meaningful action.
Stella exists to address gender bias in publishing and to celebrate outstanding books by Australian women and non-binary writers. Quest’s partnership with Stella reflects a belief that progress in gender equity comes from sustained commitment, and from creating the conditions where voices can be heard.
Connecting with communities
Throughout 2025, Quest’s partnership with Stella supported a national program of events and community engagement.
Quest properties around the country opened their doors, providing free accommodation for the Stella team and authors enabling the Stella Day Out event series to visit 14 locations. welcoming 2,215 attendees into spaces dedicated to thoughtful conversation about the art and labour of writing. Across these events, 29 authors and 25 moderators were engaged through paid speaking opportunities, reinforcing Stella’s commitment to valuing creative work.
Quest’s involvement extended beyond national programming. Two Stella Salon events were hosted at Quest Chatswood and Quest NewQuay, offering intimate settings for readers to engage directly with 2025 Stella Prize shortlisted authors Jumaana Abdu and Samah Sabawi. More than 20 Quest properties also supported Stella through attendance at Stellaevents, and on property initiatives like Stella Book Libraries for guests, embedding the partnership within local communities.
For authors, these events also foster a sense of inclusion and shared community. Hayley Singer, a 2024 shortlisted author and Stella Day Out Hobart speaker, described the value of these gatherings:
“It is rare to be in spaces wholly given over to conversation about the art and labour of writing, but Stella makes it happen… The work Stella does for writing by women and gender-diverse people is vital, not only in putting brilliant books into the hands of readers, but in offering time and space for robust conversations about writing, past, present and future.”
Holding space for meaningful conversations
At the heart of our partnership with Stella is the belief that stories flourish when people are given time, space, and a welcoming environment to gather.
Stella 2025 shortlisted writer Samah Sabawi shared the impact of these spaces following her Melbourne Stella Day Out appearance at Quest NewQuay:
“I’m deeply grateful to Stella for creating spaces where authors can truly connect with readers, and foster genuine, intimate exchanges. My Melbourne event with Jaclyn Crupi was particularly special… We were also greeted with such warmth and generosity from the Quest staff and the Stella team, making the evening more memorable.”
Moderator and Stella Prize 2026 judge Jaclyn Crupi reflected on the importance of having places where deeper conversations can unfold:
“It was such a privilege to moderate a conversation with Samah Sabawi about her Stella Prize shortlisted memoir… It was a powerful and beautiful conversation. I'm grateful to Stella and Quest for holding space for such conversations to take place and creating ways for writers and readers to come together.”
Looking ahead
The first year of Quest’s partnership focused on depth rather than scale. It was about listening, participating, and supporting Stella’s mission through tangible action.
Quest looks forward to continuing its support through additional salon events, ongoing involvement in Stella Day Out, and support for key moments such as longlist and shortlist announcements.
One year in, the partnership has shown what’s possible when organisations work together with intent, creating space for stories, conversation, and connection to thrive.
