Sara Pensalfini is an Australian poet, creative and mentor working internationally.

Her poem ‘Greymouth’ was longlisted for the 2024 National Poetry Competition (The Poetry Society, UK) and her debut poetry collection Giant Runt is slated for release in late 2026. Sara writes from her home in Whittlesea, Victoria and her desk in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Her past work as a screenwriter and lyricist gained recognition and support from Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania and Folk Federation of Tasmania. Sara’s ongoing studies and her lifelong appreciation of creative writing, in its many forms, energise her current work as a tutor, story/script consultant and editor.

Spanning more than 40 years, Sara’s career as a creative has involved employment as an actor, drummer, singer, model, reader, role-player and director.

At 6 years of age Sara began acting for ABC TV and radio, in Western Australia, and has since been engaged by ABC, Network Ireland Television, Seven Network, MONA and Mona Foma, TTC, The Unconformity, Australian Shakespeare Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Salamanca Arts Centre, Clemenger/The20, Bluehat, Red Jelly and AJF Partnership, just to name a few. She has performed and collaborated with Loud Mouth Theatre, dell’ Arte Productions, Sky Machine, Danger Academy (improvised comedy) and SWMF Horror Film Festival.

As a drummer, Sara and her bands have toured with and supported Dirty Three, Ed Keupper, Pavement, Fugazi, Archers of Loaf, Magic Dirt, The Living End and Something for Kate among many others. In the late 1990s she wrote and recorded with The Stickmen and Sea Scouts, enjoyed playing with 40 Watt Stars, and was also an award winning solo musician.

Sara currently teaches drum kit to students of all ages and at all stages. A self taught drummer, comfortable with many styles, she’s recently been learning from masters, both in Australia and overseas and is always excited to share the love and wisdom.

Sara holds a BA in Theatre Performance from Federation University (AUS) and has certifications in Singing and Counselling. Past tutoring, role-play and mentorship clients include GP Tasmania, UTAS, Tasmania Police, ReAct Drama School and Hobart Dance Academy, as well as multiple individuals and families across Victoria, Tasmania, Australia and the world.

In 2015, following more than 15 years in caring positions, Sara began working independently as an advocate for and mentor to neurodivergent children and adolescents. Her extensive experience in training and education has now lead her to expand her focused mentorship to include allistic clients, adults and creative and innovative individuals from all walks of life.

Sara’s broad skillset across a decades long career in the arts and in the education, health and disability sectors means that Sara is as comfortable offering non-clinical play based therapies to very young children as she is providing mentorship and writing services for adults and professionals.

All services provided and all artistic collaborations are co-designed and child/artist/client focused and the outcomes are often profound and life changing.

Sara is a member of AWG, Writers Victoria, RAV, NGV, MIFF and AGOSCI and has been a proud MEAA member since 1982. In the USA, Sara maintains an ongoing relationship with Gotham Writers’ Workshop and The Poetry Society (NYC) and is an associate member of the American Academy of Poets.