Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 4)

Book review: The Drover’s Wife by Leah Purcell

March 5, 2020 / ballaratwriters / 2 Comments

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia, 2019

Leah Purcell is an award-winning writer and has a background as a playwright, actor and film producer amongst other achievements. This novel has been adapted for film, which is slated for release this year.

This historical fiction novel, based on a short story written by Henry Lawson, provides a stark sense of our history, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Set in the late 1800s, The Drover’s Wife tells of the harsh and almost impossible conditions that were endured during white settlement. The plot focuses mainly on Molly Johnson who, with her children, waits for her husband to return from months away droving. They live in an isolated hut in the High Country where, with the help of her eldest son, Danny, Molly and the children survive and cope on their own, including the birthing of a baby.

A visitor arrives unexpectedly. Yodaka is keen to be away from civilisation and begs time to recover from the injuries he’s received on the run. Eventually Molly discovers that Yodaka is the holder of knowledge that Molly eventually understands.

The book depicts the best and worst of human behaviour: cruelty, degradation, humour, love and a will to survive. The intriguing plot invites the reader to travel in the shoes of the tenacious and suffering Molly Johnson, the drover’s wife.

This story lingered in my thoughts for weeks after finishing the novel and I quickly fell back into the emotive ambience of the book while writing this review. I loved the book – it made me think yet again about colonisation and our (I’m a white Australian) role that has never been fully owned up to. The writer integrated and treated the issues of women and their place in history and society with clarity and directness.

Thanks, Leah Purcell. I couldn’t put this book down.

Reviewed by:

Heather Whitford Roche, Jan 2020

Ballarat Writers Inc. Book review group

July Words Out Loud

June 26, 2019 / ballaratwriters / 0 Comments

Words Out Loud takes ‘a shot in the dark’ as its theme for July.

Wordsmiths are invited to explore the theme or simply ignore it altogether.

This is a great opportunity to road test new material, celebrate a success or share some inspiration, or simply enjoy a diverse range of spoken word — poetry, prose or storytelling; read or recited; your own work or someone else’s. Performances are limited to 5 minutes each. Sign up on the night.

Date: Thursday July 11

Time: doors open about 6.30pm, words from 7pm

Lee Kofman: Writing Compelling Characters and Dialogue

June 9, 2019 / ballaratwriters / 0 Comments

Ballarat Writers Inc is proud to announce that this year we have secured Lee Kofman as judge for the Southern Cross Short Story Competition. Lee will also be presenting a 4-hour workshop on “Writing Compelling Characters and Dialogue”.

This workshop will be held from 1pm – 5pm on Sunday 7^th July 2019 in The Printers Room in the basement of Sebastiaans 58–60 Lydiard St N, on the corner of Mair Street, with entry from Mair Street.

Website and Email Maintenance

June 8, 2019 / ballaratwriters / 0 Comments

Just a quick note to let you all know that we’re in the process of moving our emails and hosting, and there have been a few bumps. If you run in to issues, please feel free to contact us on Facebook. Everything should be fixed within the next few days, so thank you for your patience!

Weathering the Future: December Launch

November 14, 2018 / ballaratwriters

Ballarat Writers is pleased to announce that a number of its members have their work included in the ekphrastic art exhibition Weathering the Future.

The exhibition is to run at Backspace Gallery, 15 Camp St, Ballarat, from 6 December to 23 December.

Twenty-two Central Highlands writers have written responses to art work provided by 19 members of Soldiers Hill Artist Collective on the theme of ‘weathering the future’. The text pieces have in turn inspired graphic posters designed by 14 third-year students of Federation University’s Arts Academy. Musician Reuben Morgan is composing a soundtrack to accompany the exhibition, bringing an aural element to this collision of visual art and text.

‘Meet the Booksellers’ at our October Members’ Night

October 27, 2018 / ballaratwriters

An opportunity for prospective self-publishing authors to ask questions

Dianne Woodhouse from Ballarat Books

and

Tracey Willersdorf from Collins Booksellers on Lydiard

The Ballarat booksellers will be interviewed by Heather Roche, self-published author and BWI member, followed by a Q&A session for members.

Dianne and Tracey will talk about what sells, presentation, book covers and what they (the booksellers) look for and expect, when a self-published author approaches them.

This is an excellent opportunity for BWI members, writers and friends to seek information regarding getting self-published books into bookstores.

November Words Out Loud

October 15, 2018 / ballaratwriters

Words Out Loud is going out with a slow apocalypse as the year’s program draws to a close in November. The theme for the night is ‘eroding confidence’ — make of that what you will, or ignore it altogether.

As a special treat, the night will feature advance readings of work from the Weathering the Future art exhibition, taking place at Backspace Gallery from December 6 to 23. The official launch is on December 8 — all welcome. Click here for details.

Words Out Loud August — In the Winter Dark

July 25, 2017 / ballaratwriters

Words Out Loud strikes a light ‘in the winter dark’ at Babushka lounge in Ballarat on Thursday, August 17, 7–9pm, for its next session of spoken word!

Writers, readers, poets — all word lovin’ folks with a hankering to share the love are invited along, with five-minute open mic spots on offer. You won’t find a friendlier venue.

As always, performers are encouraged to take the theme and run with it for their five-minute slots — or ignore it altogether!

Entry is free, though a gold coin donation would be appreciated for this non-profit, community event.
Keep up to date at the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/wordsoutloud/

2017 Ballarat Writers Trivia Night

May 12, 2017 / ballaratwriters

Ballarat Writers Incorporated invites you to its second annual 50-50 Trivia Night. Last year was lots of fun, why not join in again?

Many generous sponsors have generously provided prizes for the night, including Mars Confectionery, Dan Murphy’s, Country Kids, Toyland and Toy World, to name a few.

What, Where and When?

A night of interesting literary and general knowledge brain teasers, games, a silent auction and a spinning wheel.

Saturday 17th June beginning at 7 pm
Ballarat East Bowling Club, Bradshaw Street, Golden Point

Tickets are $10 a head, with tables of 8-10 people. Come along and meet some new people, bring your own brains trust.
B Y O Supper. Drinks are available for purchase at bar prices.

Please send your booking numbers to admin@ballaratwriters.com by June 15th at 5 pm. $10 per head will be collected on the night. A bonus is being planned for those who pre-book and turn up on the night!

More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Minerva Speaks

March 9, 2017 / ballaratwriters

Minvera will be broadcast stories by local Ballarat writers on the 10th, 17th and 24th of March from 8–9pm at the Titanic bandstand and along the 200 block of Sturt St, Ballarat.

Support your fellow Ballarat writers and bear witness as the Goddess speaks.