It is with great sadness that we farewell Errol Broome, long-term Society member and past Literary Patron who passed away on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Many members will fondly remember Errol's dedication and support of the Society and its members, her dignity, charm, friendship and generosity. We send our sincere condolences to Errol's family.
Anna Ciddor announced as the winner of the Nance Donkin Award for Children’s LiteratureMelbourne-based children’s author Anna Ciddor has been awarded the Nance Donkin Award for Children’s Literature during an event celebrating Australian children’s literature. Ciddor is the seventh person to receive the biennial award which was established in 2009 following the death of writer and journalist Nance Donkin, OAM, a long-term member and supporter of the Society of Women Writers Victoria and past president of the Victorian branch of the Children’s Book Council (1967 – 1975).Nance was determined to validate authors of books for children and to encourage and make known a good writer for children deserving more recognition, and the Nance Donkin Award, established in her memory, does just that.Former maths teacher, Anna Ciddor, turned her hand to writing after the birth of her children. Writing became a way to satisfy her fascination with the gossipy details in history, ...
Thank you to everyone who entered the 2021 Kathryn Purnell Poetry Prize. The standard of entries was exceptionally high. Entries were received on a range of topics from people across Australia. After careful consideration, the following prizes were awarded, as judged by Tegan Schetrumpf:1st Prize ‘Solace’ by Beverley Lello2nd Prize ‘Cliff Paths’ by Mary Jones3rd Prize ‘Wild Swimming’ by Vanessa Potts Highly Commended ‘Understanding’ by Vanessa Hewson‘Hindsight’ by Judith GreenRead the judge’s report or visit the competitions page ...