B
OORANGA
EWS
May/June, 2003
Editor: Melissa Delaney
Number 2
N
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc proudly presents:
Reading at the Riverine
(Riverine Club, Sturt Street, Wagga
Thursday 15 May 7pm
Zenda Vecchio/Kenward Elmslie/David Reiter
Booranga
Fellowship
Writer, Zenda Vecchio
Takes Up Residence
(11 May – 7 June, 2003)
South Australian writer, Zenda
Vecchio is the first fellowship
writer to take up residence as
part of Booranga Writers’ Centre’s
2003 Fellowship program.
Listen for the Nightingale is a
gentle young adult novel which
looks at the issue of suicide as
well as those of family, friendship
and child abuse, among others.
Whilst being challenging and
thought provoking it is not a dark
or depressing story. What is offered is an insight into the
thoughts and life of one teenager
with problems which lead her to
consider suicide. Her inner resilience takes over and the poetic
nightingale becomes a symbol of
hope.
We look forward to hearing Zenda
read at the Riverine Club. Zenda
will also work with young people
in Wagga and Albury.
Kenward Elmslie
Kenward Elmslie,
poet, lyricist and performance artist, will read
from recent works and
perhaps be persuaded to
read from some of his
earlier writing.
Elmslie is the member of the first
generation New York School of
Poets who introduced contemporary
poetry to the Broadway musical. His
works for the musical stage include
an adaptation of Truman Capote's
The Grass Harp, City Junket, and
Postcards on Parade. He collaborated with the composers Jack
Besson, Ned Rorem, and Thomas
Pasatieri on the operas Lizzie Borden, Miss Julie, and Washington
Square. Elmslie has also collaborated in book form with the artists
Joe Brainard, Donna Dennis, and
Ken Tisa.
Over the past decade the "singing
poet," as Elmslie has described himself, began to perform versions of his
musical plays and adaptations of his
collaborations with visual artist in
theatres and on college campuses
across the country.
Kenward Elmslie is now in his seventies and has been travelling around
the world performing and is touring
Australia including Wagga Wagga.
This is one not to be missed!
Wagga)
This is amazing! Three writers
in one hit. A juicy cocktail of
prose, poetry and performance
for your pleasure. This is a very
special evening with three very
special guest writers with the
surprise element of the
inevitable open-mic sessions,
who knows what will happen...
So, see you there at around
7pm (for a 7:30 start), entry is
$12 or $10 if you are a member
or a concession card holder.
Award winning poet,
David Reiter Explores
Multimedia and OnLine
Publishing
Dr. David Reiter is an awardwinning poet and writer of fiction, and Director of Interactive Publications, a print and digital publisher in Brisbane. His most recent works are Letters We Never Sent; The Gallery, a work of literary multimedia he has been touring in Australia; Kiss and Tell, Selected and New Poems 1987-2002; and Sharpened Knife, a multimedia murder mystery. The Planets, a fiction memoir in multimedia is currently under development. Page 2
BOORANGA NEWS
CORRESPONDENCE TO:
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers
Booranga Writers’ Centre
Locked Bag 588
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
ABN: 72323065359
Telephone/Fax:
(02) 6933 2688
E-mail: [email protected]
What Happens at the Annual General Meeting
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc held its Annual
General Meeting on Wednesday, 12 March, 2003. The
official proceedings were followed by special guest, Alan O
Weltzien, from the University of Montana speaking of his experiences in writing.
Welcome to New
Executive Committee
Website: http://www.csu.edu.au/
faculty/arts/humss/booranga/index.
html
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: 11am – 3pm
Tuesday: 9am – 3pm
Wednesday: 9am – 3pm
Thursday: 9am – 3pm
WHAT’S COMING UP
Reading at the Riverine
Club
Zenda Vecchio/Kenward
Elmslie/David Reiter
7pm Thursday 15 May
(see page 1 for further info)
John Foster Book Launch
‘Popular Literature for Australian Children and Adolescents’
Wagga City Library
6pm Tuesday 3 June
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Book Reviews…………………………….4
News from the AGM…………….…....2
Retali8 Mag launched ……….……...5
Opportunities………………….………..7
Library News……………………….…...7
Competitions…………………………….6
2003 Membership Application…….8
Deadline for next issue
30June, 2003
May/June,2003
Slaying them in the aisles, special guest speaker, visiting lecturer and authority on American
Literature, Alan O. Weltzien.
Director Welcomes the
Coming Year
Melissa Delaney, Director of
Booranga spoke of the year
ahead and stated that she would
find this a challenging and an enjoyable role, with some collaborative projects with other organisations underway, and others being
planned.
After serving on the fourW Executive Committee for almost five
years, Treasurer Tony Dunn has
moved on. Tony has contributed
greatly to the Centre and we would
like to thank him, once again for his
efforts and continual support.
The 2003 Executive Committee
are as follows:
President – David Gilbey
Vice President – Margaret McDonald
Treasurer – Dinah Lightfoot
Committee:
Martin Ducker, Catherine Edwards,
Christine Ryan-Chapple, David
Pietsch, Margaret Anderson, Stuart
Ferguson and Carmel Sutcliffe.
(above) Committee Member Catherine
Edwards at the AGM).
(left) Catherine Edwards,
David Gilbey, Alan O Weltzien,
Carmel Sutcliffe and Margaret
McDonald make big plans.
Page 3
BOORANGA NEWS
John Foster Popular Literature for
Australian Children and Adolescents
Book Launch
Downstairs at the Wagga
City Library,
6pm Tuesday 3 June
John Foster has taught Children’s Literature for
nearly 30 years at the University of South Australia
and its predecessor institutions. In that time, his main
interest has been in popular literature for children and
adolescents, which is why his doctoral thesis was a
700-page study of Australian comics.
He has spoken at conferences on 5 continents, written
numerous articles for Australian and overseas journals, and previously co-authored 3 books on aspects
of Children’s Literature. He has been awarded two research fellowships, one to Germany (Munich) and the
other to Japan (Osaka). He was convenor of the Centre for Children’s Literature, and initiated and ran the
CROW Award, a South Australian children’s choice
book award, for the nine years of its existence.
His interests are travel, particularly overseas; music,
from 1950s country & western to death metal; and
watching sport on television, especially test cricket
and the Adelaide Crows.
May/June, 2003
More information about John Foster’s
book:
Popular literature for Australian children
and adolescents (Literature and literacy for
young people, No. 5) John Foster, late 2002.
ISBN 1-876938-48-X
Tennyson, when he wrote of ‘a louse in the locks
of literature’, could have been describing the way
many teachers and librarians think of popular
literature for children and adolescents. John
Foster’s publication springs from his years of
teaching a course on ‘Children’s and Adolescents’
Popular Literature’ at the University of South
Australia, and is prompted by his belief that
teachers and librarians need a ‘handle’ on this
topic, as it is increasingly dominating the
bookshop shelves, and probably most library
shelves. Moreover, television and movie tie-ins,
multimedia versions and merchandising are all
powerful offshoots of the literature itself, and the
role of these non-literary manifestations should
be understood.
It has also been apparent that there is very little
material directly relevant to this topic. Some
books on children’s literature have a chapter on
popular fiction, but no more than that, while
others are on a single topic such as horror fiction.
The emphasis of this work is, where possible, on
Australian material, but, as so much of that which
is popular in Australia is from overseas – America
and Britain, especially – non-Australian material is
also considered (including the Harry Potter
phenomenon). It aims to give those who are
involved with this literature the tools with which
they can evaluate it, if they wish to do so, or, if
not, to understand its appeal and content. Topics
covered include the nature and appeal of popular
literature, criteria for analysing popular literature,
popular fiction (two chapters), picture books,
alternative formats, children’s choice book awards
and the future of popular literature.
The book is intended primarily for teachers and
for school and public librarians. Although suitable
for tertiary use, it is not written in an overly
scholastic style, and will be enjoyed by anyone
interested in this particular 'louse in the locks of
literature'.
Page 4
BOORANGA NEWS
May/June, 2003
Book Review
New Albury Writing: Poetry and Prose
from Albury and District. Edited by
Jane Downing, Graham Jackson & Dirk
H.R. Spennemann. Letao Publishing,
Albury, 2002. ISBN 1 876940 07 7
NEW ALBURY WRITING
Review by Martin Ducker
I confess to being a Philistine. I like book
covers and I wasn't too happy when I got
handed this one. Being asked to review a
book with all the visual appeal of a gearbox
overhaul manual filled me with a certain
trepidation, however, once inside I was
greeted with an attractive font which
worked to allay my initial misgivings.
There is a huge diversity of content and
style in this excellent tome, from the amusing and slightly surreal allegorical style-lings
of Graham Jackson's 'The Voyage Of Halfward To The Other Side', to the simple,
aching honesty of works by indigenous poets Mark Cartright and Leonie
McIntosh. Cover to cover New Albury
Writing is a gem.
It is rare to find a compilation in which there
has been the courage to showcase pieces at
such variance. 'Wolf Song' by Hilary Simmons is a stunning re-jig of the northern
European wolf motif in folklore, as in the
brothers Grimm and her writing displays the
hallmarks of a future Tannith Lee. This, next
to insightful and intelligent essays by Ian
Harriss and Paul Greene has produced a
literary effect akin to a walk through a secret garden, with new vistas at every turn.
It is a credit to the depth of Albury writers
that such an engaging array of works have
found their way to publication. I enjoyed
New Albury Writing so much that I'm not
giving my review copy back. Ms Simmons,
please see me after class . . .
Rosemary Allan – Booranga Fellowship
Writer (9 June – 12 July)
Based in Queensland, Rosemary Allan is
braving the Wagga winter as the second
writer in residence as part of the 2003
Fellowship Program. Rosemary has a
background in publishing and is a prizewinning author and poet.
Her book Out of This Whirlwind is
described as ‘moving and compelling ..
haunting writing’. Her short stories and
poems are published in literary journals and
her most recent book, Spirit of Noosa, is
an ‘eloquent clebratioin of the beauty and
fragility of Noosa National Park, in word and
photographic image’.
Rosemary is an experienced teacher and
conducts workshops on Writing from the
Heart. Rosemary will present workshops
during her residency in Wagga Wagga,
Albury and Leeton (dates to be confirmed).
Whilst at Booranga Rosemary plans to review
the first draft of her novel Cry the
Mudjimba Moon.
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc
(Booranga Writers Centre)
Booranga has successfully secured CASP (Country Arts
Support Program Regional Arts NSW) funding for the
Page to Stage project. This project, taking place in August, 2003 brings together the skills of visiting Fellowship Writer, Stephanie Dickson and regionally based
Director Scott Howie. During Phase One of the project,
Stephanie will work with young people sources from Riverina Young Peoples Theatre in scriptwriting workshops leading into Phase Two, directing workshops with
Scott. The young people involved will learn writing and directing skills leading to short performed pieces.
Page 5
BOORANGA NEWS
May/June, 2003
Retali8 Magazine Rocks the World
During March, the Booranga Director, Melissa Delaney worked in partnership with Andrea
Nicol the Youth Officer at Wagga Wagga City Council in facilitation of a writing workshop
leading to the subsequent youth publication Retali8 (issue 4).
The workshop was wonderfully successful with around 28 students from local schools
attending, r(anging from year 7 to year 11). The participants were amazing and
indicative of the range of talent of younger people living and creating within the region.
The workshop generated all of the content for this issue of the magazine. Copies of
Retali8 are available from the Wagga City Library and from Booranga Writers Centre, or
ask your friendly local english teacher. The mag was launched as part of the youth week
activities in April with this particular issue being made possible by financial backing from
the Motor Accident Authority.
Please enjoy some of the works and images from Retali8:
Film film – 8 mile a review by kylie
The debate over the intentions of Eminem’s lyrics has fuelled much
of the interest in 8 mile and indeed his music. Whilst Eminem may
be accused of a cynical attempt to cash in on his own celebrity – the
power of his performance slays his critics.
8 mile is the story of Jimmy ‘Rabbit’ Smith, played by Eminem,
growing up on the other side of 8 mile road in Detroit, trying to
make it as a white Rapper. The story has its roots in Eminem’s own
story – where he entered in Rappoffs (contests) against black Americans, and was teased and ridiculed for his stage fright, but eventually overcame his anxieties to develop his unique performance style
and controversial lyricism.
Eminem’s celebrity appeal has drawn much of the audience to this
film, offering fans the chance to see performances by the enigmatic
rapper. The audience has been rewarded with the opportunity to
develop an understanding of Eminem’s motivations, experiences and
humanity.
The water swirls and tumbles in a dizzying
fury, while the muddy banks fly past,
her breath catches in her throat as the
sun dances playfully on her face.
He glides powerfully through the crystal
water full of confidence. The water, clear
and blue reassures him and the calm
depths make him feel safe and secure.
Ripples scurry across the surface and the
black current flows rapidly underneath.
everything is caught in its binding
surge the cold water at her legs,
grasping, gripping as it takes her with it.
As the water soothes and calms he
continues swimming the sleek surface
is broken only by his relaxed strokes, and
the sun shines warmly, smiling on the soothing
waters.
Rough and savage, the whirling water raced,
breaking on jagged rocks and
the steep bank, she sloshed about,
struggling against the force of the water.
Panic closed in, she was coughing
spluttering. And as she tried too keep
her matter hair from her eyes,
a lone tear rolled down her cheek – soon to be
washed away
and lost by the angry roar of water.
A poem by
Ashleigh Purcell
(Mt Erin High School)
Page 6
BOORANGA NEWS
COMPETITIONS
Playbox Asialink Playwriting Competition
The national biennial Asialink Playwriting Competition
was created to encourage Australian playwrights to draw
on the themes and styles, history and politics, theatre
and languages of our geographic region as a means to
invigorate theatre and to more truly reflect Australia’s
place in the world. Submissions must be engaged in the
exploration of Australia’s place in the Asia-Pacific region.
The winning playwright will receive a prize of $5,000,
plus a $2,000 supplement for redrafting if the script is
selected for production. For more information contact
www.playbox.com.au/company/asialink.htm
Closing date 31 May
Wimmera Regional Library Short Story
Competition
A short story competition. For more information contact:
t: (03) 5382 0127 or download the application form
from: http://www.wrlc.org.au
The Mornington Peninsula Prize, 2003
This annual short story competition is open to writers
from all over Australia. First prize $250/Second prize
$100/Third Prize $50. Stories must be entrants own
work and not previously published (under 3,000 words).
Send entries to:
Mornington Peninsula Prize, FAW, PO Box 574,
Mornington, Vic, 3931.
Closing Date: 31 July
Society of Women Writers NSW
National Poetry Competition
Maximum of 40 lines, prizes of $300/$200/$100 and an
entry fee of $5 per poem. For entry forms send a
stamped, self addressed envelope to: Susan Steagall,
Receiving Officer, SWW NSW Inc., Poetry Competition, GPO Box 1388, Sydney, NSW, 2001.
Closing Date: 11 June
The Australian Vogel Literary Awards
For unpublished manuscript (writer must be under 35
years of age), $20,000 prize money and publication. Entry forms available from The Australian.
Closing Date: 30 May
Lizard Anthology
Short Story Competition
Open theme with a maximum of 750 words, open theme,
Free entry with prizes: Open – $500/Student – $250.
Winners and top 20 to be published in Lizard anthology.
Entry details at: www.vu.edu.au/proofwriting.
May/June, 2003
OPPORTUNITIES
fourWfourteen anthology
An annual anthology produced by Wagga Wagga Writers
Writers Inc., under the imprint of FourW Press is calling
for submissions from writers and visual artists. For
more information contact Booranga Writers Centre
on: t: (02) 6933 2688 or e: [email protected]
for guidelines and application.
Closing Date: 30 June
Booranga Writers Albury
Any writers and visual artists in the Albury-Wodonga region interested in an exciting new project are invited to
contact Booranga Writers Albury. Funding has been secured to launch into the process of writing and illustrating a ‘progressive novel‘. This has nothing to do with political leanings! The novel is progressive in that fifteen
writers will each write a chapter in turn. To bring the
writing and visual arts communities together in an innovative way, each chapter will then be illustrated.
For more details and to register interest, please contact
the project coordinators Jane Downing and Dirk
Spennemann at one of the following:
Mail: PO Box 3080, Albury, NSW, 2640
Phone: (02) 60217032
Email: [email protected]
Outback Inspirations
Stories from the Australian Heart
Story collection celebrating country life, in aid of the
Royal Flying Doctors. Submit uplifting and inspiring stories (up to 1,200 words) to: the Editor, The Australian Heart Collection, PO Box 148, Nundah or e:
[email protected] for more information.
Varuna Professional Development
Allowing new and emerging writers to work intensively
with professional support from more experienced writers
in this mentorship program. For more information contact Varuna on: t (02) 4782 5674 or e: [email protected]
Closing Date: 30 June
Poets in Tuscany
Writing Workshops with Chris Mansell
A course of poetry lectures and workshops in Tuscany
with accommodation in an historic Tuscan villa, 30kms
from Perugia. Work in the morning, then afternoon visits to Perugia, San Gimignano, Siena, Cortona and Assisi
with a full day to Florence. Contact Chris Mansell
on: t: (02) 4464 1432 or e: [email protected]
Page 7
BOORANGA NEWS
Internet publishing sites/epublishing
May/June 2003
News from the Wagga City Library
(members are encouraged to inform us of useful sites)
www.topica.com
This site will allow you to subscribe to Darwin News, a
local news poetry email group
www.intercreate.ent/viewforum.phforum=32
For new poets around Australia
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/subject/16
The literature page of the National Library of the northern
territory’s Pandora Project – an archive of Australian websites. You can tender your own site for inclusion
www.popmatters.com
Online magazine featuring cultural criticism and reviews.
Seeking submissions from 1000-1500 words
www.maygibbs.org.au
Providing information about residential programs for children’s authors and illustrators
www.regionalarts.com.au
Online contact book with listings on case studies, activities, events, artists and artsworkers information and contact details
www.livewirepublishers.com.au
Regular e-newsletters featuring articles on writing, industry news and books reviews
[email protected]
Useful site for Australian writers with over 400 links
www.Bbc.co.uk/writersroom
Home to Script Smart formatting templates which are free
to download and use with microsoft word
www.asauthors.org
The Australian Society of Authors; promoting and protecting the professional interests of Australia’s literary creators
http://www.gangway.net/magazine
New poetry and prose next issues out in June, 2003
www.createaust.com.au/whatsnew.cfm
Report on the writing, publishing and journalism scoping
study; a CREATE Australia report on a national study examining the future skills needs of writers, publishers and
editors
www.topica.com/lists/PoetryEspresso
An e-list discussion group for poets
Book Sale
The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale at the lagoon-side entrance to the library from 9 AM - 12 on Saturday May 10. Bargain priced hardbacks, paper-backs and
magazines will be on offer along with a limited number of
colourful solid foam cubes. These can be used as children's
playthings or footstools and will sell for $10 each. Visit the
Grower's Market's then call in at the book sale
Display
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute has mounted an impressive display in the library highlighting Extreme Events which
affect rural areas. The consequences of Bushfires, Floods
and Droughts are explained and models have been set up to
show the various scenarios. Free booklets are available.
Law Week at the Library
11-17 May 2003
Wagga Wagga City Library will present a free legal information session on Thursday May 15 2003 at 5 pm. The session
is entitled Young Offenders and the Law and will be presented by local barrister John Weir. Contact Joan Parker on
69269740. Refreshments will be served.
Library and Information Week 12-18 May 2003
Power Your Mind is the theme of this year's Library Week
and Wagga Wagga City Library will celebrate by focusing on
online resources. Free Internet classes will be held during
Library Week for beginners and advanced users.
Come and power your mind.
Exciting Opportunity for Regional
Writers
Beginners: Mon-Wed 11-12 noon
What is the Internet? Using the toolbar, Finding information
using a search engine, Finding information using a Directory
ABC Radio Regional Production Fund is searching for
talented writers living in regional Australia to submit short
stories for radio.
Advanced: Wed-Fri 2-3 pm
Internet search tips and an introduction to the Library's electronic databases
Limit of 8 per session. Bookings phone 69269700
Make it vibrant, contemporary, funny, poignant and original. Whatever you like just make sure it’s less than 750
words and into the ABC by 30 May, 2003.
The stories selected will be commissioned, produced and
broadcast for everyone to hear on ABC Radio.
If this is the break you’ve been waiting for find out more
by visiting the ABC Radio Regional Production Fund website at www.abc.net.au/radio/rpf or by calling Jane
Gordon on 08 9220 2672 or email jane at: gordon.
[email protected]
National Family Reading Month
Wagga Wagga City Library is hosting the Scholastic Book
Fair during Library Week and in celebration of National Family Reading Month. A range of books from picture books to
primary school readers will be available for sale at the library
on Wednesday 14 May and Friday 16 May. Buy a quality
book for your child or donate one to the library.
Page 8
BOORANGA NEWS
May/June, 2003
WWWW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2003
Single Annual Membership $33. 00 or $22.00 concession (GST inclusive) entitles you to:
∗ Free copy of fourW fourteen
∗ Invitations to writing events and gatherings
∗ Six newsletters & regular mail outs
∗ 10% discount at Book City, Wagga Wagga
∗ Use of Booranga Writers’ Centre resources including
∗ 10% discount at Repeated Reading, Wagga Wagga
∗ Access to a network of writers and book enthusiasts
for information and friendship
∗ 10% discount at Angus & Robertson, Wagga Wagga
∗ Access to newsletters from other writers’ centres and
up-to-date information on competitions
∗ Member discounts at readings, performances and
workshops
Please fill in and post application to:Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc., Booranga Riverina Writers’ Centre,
Locked Bag 588, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678 Telephone/Fax: (02) 69332688
Enclosed: $ …………………
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………...
Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Cheque/money order for single/
concession/youth (Please circle).
Telephone: …………………………Fax……………………………
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc. was formed in 1987 to assist and promote local authors and their work. The
group holds regular readings at local venues, conducts writing workshops, offers writing fellowships at Booranga, the
Riverina Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University, publishes an annual anthology, fourW under the imprint of fourW
Press, and is active in promoting and developing writing and writers throughout the Riverina.
Membership is by calendar year, costs $33.00 and $22.00 concession with a Youth Membership of $10. FourW, our
annual anthology features the works of authors, artists and photographers, regional and beyond, collected in one diverse and original publication which is sent free to each WWWW member (excepting youth members). Members are
always welcome at the centre, to browse the library, work on your writing, bring along any ideas for projects, collaborations, writerly activities, contributions for our newsletter or just come visit us.
If undeliverable please return to:
Booranga Riverina Writers’ Centre
Locked Bag 588
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga 2678
Telephone/Fax: (02) 69 332688 SURFACE MAIL Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the
New South Wales Ministry for the Arts, Regional Arts New South Wales and Charles Sturt
University.
POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA