Professional Qualifications
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Studies with a minor in writing (1996), from Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia (where I lived for 11 years).
Awards I have received include the Faculty Medal from Edith Cowan University in 1996, ‘awarded for outstanding scholarship in a program offered by the Faculty of Arts’. I also have Certificates of Appreciation from the City of Wanneroo for ‘support of Cultural Development in the City of Wanneroo,’ 1996 and 1997, an Australia Day Award ‘in recognition of a wonderful contribution to local life in the field of The Arts’ 1997, and a Certificate of Appreciation from Queensland Rural Women’s Network ‘in recognition of generous support of their Cultural Competition 2002.’
My published writing includes: short stories, poems, articles and book reviews published in anthologies, university publication and magazines; co-author of Western Memories published in Perth in 1996. I’ve read my work at various public venues and have won Literary Competitions, including first for my short story, “Feet of Cardboard” and first for a personal essay, “A Reading Life”, Toowoomba Eisteddfod 2002.
I have edited eleven manuscripts for other writers, six of which have been published, with another under consideration with a publisher. I have also edited a variety of newsletters and am currently newsletter editor of “Ring of Bright Water”, for the Society of Women Writers Qld Inc
From 1997-1999, I conducted regular creative writing classes at Joondalup Library in Perth WA. I have held workshops for adults and children, teaching various aspects of creative writing and editing in Perth, Brisbane, Philip Island and Toowoomba
In 1996, I went into partnership with some fellow writers and readers to form a small publishing press (Memories Press) in Perth. My duties there included typesetting, designing and producing quality hard-bound books. Since that partnership dissolved (due mainly to my relocation to Queensland) I have typeset many books. Included in these were Footprints, an anthology of writing by the Society of Women Writers WA, and five anthologies for the Range Writers of Toowoomba. These have all been done on a volunteer basis; for love, not money!
My major claim to fame is the foundation of the Peter Cowan Writers Centre which began as ‘The Northern Writers Association Inc’, a project I undertook while still at university. Go here to find out more. A biennial literary competition is also named after me.
Over the past 15 years I have served on many committees, including board of WASLO (WA State Literature Officer); Perth PEN Centre; WA Writers’ Forum; Society of Women Writers WA (including a term as President); and City of Wanneroo’s 1996-1998 Cultural Development Fund. I was also Acting State Literature Officer in Perth for 3 months in 1997. In addition, I worked as a volunteer for the Joondalup Library, collecting oral histories for their History section.
I am currently a member of the Society of Women Writers Qld (immediate past-president, and newsletter editor since 2003); the Peter Cowan Writers Centre (founder); Fellowship of Australian Writers; Australian Society of Authors, and the Range Writers of Toowoomba (Secretary).
In addition to my volunteer work in the writing community, I also work at my local neighbourhood centre; am a member of the local progress association and secretary of a committee under that group who are working towards developing a local museum; and a member of QUOTA International’s Toowoomba Club, a service organisation which gives aid to local and international charities.