M.Ed. (Melbourne), B.A.(Monash), TPTC (Qld)
Veronica has been writing for more than fifty years. Her first short story was published in Woman’s Day in 1965.
In 1992, she resigned from fulltime work and became a freelance writer, editor, and teacher of adults. She currently continues freelancing as writer, editor, artist and web designer.
In 1993, she founded, edited and published an alternative magazine for women entitled The Dawn, after Louisa Lawson’s nineteenth century newspaper for women. For ten years, she edited and published the magazine, giving many women their first opportunity to see their writing in print.
Her passion for travel and learning have taken her overseas to many countries, as well as continual travel in her tiny caravan, around Australia with her little dog, Cody. She speaks and reads French, German, and Spanish with varying degrees of fluency.
Educated in Brisbane, she became a primary school teacher. She sailed overseas at the age of 24, and spent seven years travelling, hitchhiking and working in Europe, Britain, Canada and the USA.
She attended university as a mature age student, driving taxis to pay the bills. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree, returned to the Victorian Education Department obtaining a Degree of Master of Education in her spare time.
She credits the wonderful support of her second husband, Ian Mullins, with her ability to juggle and manage her busy lifestyle.
Her career in education took her into the field of curriculum and policy where she became Head of the Victorian Education Department’s Equal Opportunity Unit, and later the Senior Curriculum and Policy Officer for Equal Opportunity for Women and Girls.
Veronica is currently working on a series of books on the harm of gender stereotypes. She also continues to write and publish non-fiction articles and short stories.
BOOKS
Recent books are
The Gift of Pearls: A Book of Quotes,
Ride the Wind. Choose the Fire: the Story of Joan of Arc
Both available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Veronica+Schwarz&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
Water Falling: a picture book for children
Books for teachers and activity books for children now out of print.1971 – 1972
ARTICLES AND MAGAZINES
Articles on history, philosophy, biography, social issues, travel, language, memoir, personal development and education have been published in newspapers, magazines, women’s studies publications and scholarly journals.
Short stories published in a variety of magazines starting with ‘Black Lily’ Woman’s Day 1965.
Article and short story, Sparx 2018 and 2020
COMPETITIONS
2012 First and Second Prizes in the Short Story section of the Society of Women Writers’ Christmas Competition
2011: First Prize in the article section of the Society of Women Writers’ Victoria Biennial Literary Awards
2010: First Prize, My Favourite Place competition for a travel article in the caravanning magazine The Nomad.
2008: Runner up, Society of Women Writers Victoria, Christmas Competition
2008: First Prize, Geelong Advertiser Short Short Story Weekly competition.
2007: First Prize, Society of Women Writers Victoria Bienniel Literary Awards, Non-fiction section
2006: First Prize, Joyce Parkes Women Writers’ Award, Australian Irish Heritage Association
1999: Third Prize, Article, Society of Women Writers, Victorian Branch
1993: First Prize, Society of Women Writers, Victorian Branch