Launch of National Year of Reading Valentine's Day 2012

A great beginning to this year, I was lucky enough to be able to launch Year of Reading at a wonderful morning tea (complete with love hearts) at Woollahra Library and preached to the converted about the wonders of the written word. In the evening attended NSW State Library launch which was equally enjoyable, catching up with writer friends and libarians and other bookish folk and listenening to rousing speeches about reading. The Premier and some of his ministers attended and Richard Glover launched the event followed by writer Debra Abela giving a spirited talk about reading and also about youth who need special encouragement to learn to read.  This should be the year!

Tom Collins (nee Joseph Furphy) and Hattie Furphy’s Houses in Western Australia

Had a lovely stay in Swanborne, Perth at the wonderfully restored home compound of Tom Collins (Such is Life). I gave a workshop to eight enthusiastic Fellowship of Australian Writer’s Western Australia (FAWWA), members in the generous verandahed and timber lounge room, complete with leadlight French doors; met with Lesley Reece (Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre) to talk more plans for poetry in W.A; enjoyed Perth wildflowers and restaurants. Sue Woolfe, the writer in residence and I, and FAWWA hosted a cocktail party to celebrate WA writer’s on our last night at this atmospheric house.  

National Year of Reading 2012

I have accepted an invitation to be Ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012 a pleasant duty which involves promoting a reading culture to all Australians. I will also be acting as Poetry Ambassador for the State Library of NSW where poems from my book, The ABC Book of Australian Poetry will provide the basis for A-Poem-a-Day.

Society of Women's Writers' Biennial Awards

Both I Love You Book (junior fiction) and The ABC Book of Australian Poetry have been shortlisted for the SWW Biennial Awards to be announced 9th November in the Dixson Room, NSW State Library.

Australian Poetry Since 1788

Attended the launch of Australian Poetry Since 1788 edited by Geoffrey Lehmann and Robert Gray and published by UNSW Press. The itself is a weighty tome containing over 1000 poems from 170 poets. The launch was a  glamourous affair at the NSW Art Gallery, where poets and poetry lovers enjoyed food, wine and conviviality.

And, two more poems from the ABC Book of Australian Poetry

Also from the ABC Book of Australian Poetry - Parrots by Judith Wright