**
See note below re photosWELCOME
This website was last updated on 19/11/2009
To view the results of our recent competitions, click here: Competition Results
For latest achievements of our members, go to the Achievements page.
To see a report of members' book launches and other doings, check out the More News page.
The main aim of SWWV is to draw together women who write and to provide them with information and support. We do this by the regular conduct of: presentations by experienced writers, workshops, poetry and prose readings, seminars, conferences, book launches and literary competitions.
The Society also aims to strengthen ties between women writers in Australia and overseas.
If you'd like to join, or just want to find out more, come along to a meeting. Contact our Membership Secretary first so we know you're coming and can greet you.
To find out more about membership fees, click here.
HERE
ARE SOME OF THE THINGS
THE SOCIETY OFFERS:
Click on the item
below to find out more about it.
MONTHLY
MEETINGS
On
the last Friday of the month, members meet at Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane,
Melbourne,
between 10.30am and 2.00pm for a general meeting, followed by lunch (byo
lunch) and a variety of activities - book launch, seminar/speaker or workshop.
Guest speakers share their experience and knowledge in the form of a
presentation or a workshop. Within the society there is a wealth of experience and competence in
writing and publishing to be shared.
Tea and coffee are provided and several door prizes add to the fun. Entry is $5.
NEXT
MEETING
Friday 27th November
Christmas Lunch 2009
Our end of year Christmas lunch is on again! It will be wonderful to share the
year’s celebration of writings, readings and adventures for 2009 together.
Our busy day will start with our general meeting then winners of the Christmas
competition will be announced, winner’s readings and Rebecca Maxwell and
Tricia Veale will speak about their respective books and then ... on to
lunch!
Bring a friend along and some delicious nibbles/drink to share with other
members and remember to share some of your Christmas cheer and wash and
dry your cups, spoons and plates, so Judy and Alice can put their feet up a
little after the festivities!
Membership subscriptions now due.
Please update your SWWV membership.
For future meetings and other events : See Calendar of
Events.
Details of Lorraine McGuigan's book launch are shown here.
PREVIOUS
MEETINGS: If you'd like to read about our recent speakers and workshops at our
monthly meetings, click
here.
POSTAL
WORKSHOPS
Our Postal
Workshops have one editor and six to ten members: who send in their writing
monthly. These members read each others work and note down positive comments.
The comments along with some corrections are returned to the members. Groups
range from 'emerging' to 'published' writers. Of the six present groups one will
suit you - 'advanced or beginner - poetry, screenwriting, short story, novel,
article. Find
out more.
A
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: Write Away
The newsletter is mailed or emailed to
all members. It is also available on this website. Check
it out.
It provides information about the Society, Competitions, Opportunities, and news of interest to members.
|
If there is something you want to see more of
or less of in your newsletter Write Away, please contact the Newsletter Editor,
Marissa Byatt on: marissa@romarelements.com.au |
Editor: Marissa Byatt |
COMPETITIONS
The Society conducts a number of
competitions each year, some of which are open to all women writers while
others are for members only. These are advertised in the newsletter and on
this website. Our Christmas competitions for members only are fun and form the
highlight at our end of year Christmas party.
|
|
THE NANCE DONKIN AWARD Society of Women Writers Victoria presents a biennial award to perpetuate the memory of a member of and benefactor to the Society, Nance Donkin: The Nance Donkin Award is given to an outstanding woman author in Australia who writes for children. Read more ... The inaugural winner of this award is Dr Ruth Starke. Dr Starke was unable to attend the presentation ceremony but the award was accepted on her behalf by her former editor, Ms Helen Chamberlin. (See photos) Our President, Rebecca Maxwell was later able to privately present the award to Dr Starke in Adelaide. (Read Rebecca's account.) |
A
BIENNIAL RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR
This residential event is fun,
informative and rejuvenating. Great speakers, workshops, good food and a chance
to energise. Our next seminar will be held in 2010.
What
else does SWWV offer?
Web Site
The website is updated regularly to provide information
about the Society, Competitions, Opportunities, and news of interest to members
and women writers. It showcases members' achievements, and provides links to
individual members' websites. It also provides links to other websites of use to
writers.
Check
out recent achievements of some of our members, book launches and other
invitations on the Achievements page.
Please email your suggestions or requests for additions to: veronica@spamarrest.com
Not
only is Veronica our web weaver, she has also agreed to take on the role of
Secretary of the Society. A tiger for punishment!
What
else does SWWV offer?
MEMBERS'
PROFILES AND WEBSITES
You
can read about some of our members and see their photos on our Profiles
page. Some
of our members have their own websites. Check them out.
**
Note: MEMBERS' PHOTOS
Members who would like
their websites listed, or who are happy to have their photos on the website, please contact veronica@spamarrest.com
We'd love a photo of you in our welcoming collage above.
BRIEF
BACKGROUND OF THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS
The
SWWV was established in 1970. There
were also sister societies in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
NSW is the oldest society established in 1925.
By 1980 a federal body, The Society of Women Writers, Australia, was
formed with state societies becoming branches. Each state, for two years in
turn, had the responsibility of managing federal business.
By 1999, it became clear that volunteers were no longer available to
carry out this considerable task. It
was agreed that the federal body be wound up, and that each branch would become
an incorporated association, with similar aims and rules.
NSW had already done this in 1988.
The main award of SWWA has been retained. This is the biennial Alice Award.
The Alice Award
