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Society of Women Writers New South Wales Inc (1925 - )

From
1925
Occupations
Arts organisation
Alternative Names
  • Society of Women Writers
Website
http://www.womenwritersnsw.org
Location
contact: heather.jacobs2@gmail.com

Summary

The Society of Women Writers New South Wales Inc., established in 1925 and incorporated in 1987, is the longest-standing literary society in Australia. Dame Mary Jean Gilmore, writer, teacher and pioneer of many causes, is credited with initiating the Society (she was a member of its first executive committee).

The Society's main aim was to draw together women writers (including poets, journalists, playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers) to support each other in their writing endeavours. It is also aimed to maintain the status of the writing profession, promote a knowledge of literature, and strengthen ties between Australian and visiting writers.

Details

In 1970 the Society changed its name to The Society of Women Writers (Australia), and susequently formed branches in other Australian states. But this became problematic when a new federal body of the same name was created in 1980. After some disputes, the New South Wales arm of the Society changed its name again to The Society of Women Writers New South Wales, incorporating as a separate entity in 1987 it effectively seceding from the federal body.

As of 2004, the Society's website describes its aims as 'to enable women writers in all genres to meet and network, and to benefit from regular seminars and workshops … [and] to encourage aspiring writers to achieve professional status.' In addition to monthly workshops and luncheon meetings, the Society continues to administer a number of Awards and Competitions, and issues a bi-monthly Newsletter to its members.
The Society conducts an annual competitions for poetry, short stories, non-fiction as well as fiction and children's books.

An enormous number of books have been published under the auspices of the Society. Only a few of these have been listed in this database.

Related entries

President

Archival resources

Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales

  • 'Cultivating the arts:Sydney women culturists 1900-1950' by Jane Hunt, MLMSS 7267; Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales. Details
  • Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers, 1976 - 1992, MLMSS 6603/1-2; Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales. Details
  • Society of Women Writers (Australia) New South Wales Branch Papers, 1974 - 1985, ML MSS 4222 ADD-On 1758; Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales. Details

National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection

  • Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers, 1977 - 1990, MS 5877; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers, 1977 - 1990, MS 5877; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • Society of Women Writers (Australia) Records, 1925 - 1990, NLA MS 6777; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • Society of Women Writers (Australia), Records, 1925 - 1990, MS 6777; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • Society of Women Writers of N.S.W. Records, 1968 - 1969, MS 2608; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details
  • Society of Women Writers of NSW Records, 1968 - 1969, MS 2608; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details

National Library of Australia Oral History Collection

  • [Conversation with Elizabeth Guy] [sound recording] / [interviewer : Hazel de Berg]., ORAL DeB 1031; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details
  • [Conversation with Enid Conley] [sound recording] / [interviewer: Hazel de Berg]., ORAL DeB 890; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details

Published resources

Books

  • Sixty Years On: Diamond jubilee anthology, Society of Women Writers (Australia), N.S.W. Branch, Sydney, 1985, 79 pp. Details

Edited Books

  • Lindsay, Hilary (ed.), Ink no.2 :50th anniversary edition, Society of Women Writers (Australia), Sydney, 1977. Details
  • Lindsay, Hilary (ed.), So you want to be a writer: A beginner's guide, Melbourne, 1977. Details
  • Robertson, Constance (ed.), Ink., The Society, Sydney, 1932. Details

Newsletters

  • The newsletter of the Society of Women Writers N.S.W. Inc, The Society, Sydney, 1971-1975; 1984-. Details
  • Woman Writer/Society of Women Writers (Aust.), The Society, Sydney, 1975-200. Details

Reports

  • Annual report / the Society of Women Writers (Australia), The Society, Sydney, 1925-. Details
  • Federal president's report / Society of Women Writers, The Society, Sydney, 1974-. Details

Online Resources

Jane Carey

Created: 22 September 2004, Last modified: 16 November 2010

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