Bondi Writers' Group - Sponsors

Bondi Writers' Members

Cynthia Rowe, graduate of Melbourne University, has taught French and English to Year 12 in Victoria and New South Wales. Her published novels are Our Hollow Sofa (2004), Ants in My Dreadlocks (2005) and Stinger in a Sugar Jar (2007).

Cynthia’s most recent novel Couscous Threads was released early 2008. A published short fiction writer and poet, she has been broadcast on National Community Radio. Her play ‘Not the Vice-Chancellor’ was performed in the Sydney Short and Sweet Festival 2008.

www.cynthiarowe.com.au

Anne Skyvington lived in France for four years in the sixties and became interested in French Literature during that time. She started writing for therapeutic reasons in the seventies, and more recently completed a Postgraduate Masters in Professional Writing. Anne writes both fiction and non-fiction. Website: askyvington.blogspot.com



	Christine Butler (Honorary Member) works with charities and social change organisations and has a passion for food and cooking. Christine has written for magazines and independent newspapers and has published a small cookbook. Founder of the Bondi Writers’ Group three years ago, Christine remains a member and supporter. www.actionchange.com				Bill Widerberg has lived his life in the Eastern Suburbs and been a member of Bronte Surf Club for more than fifty years. Following a career in business, Widerberg’s novel, the thriller The Big End of Town (2005) was published by Otford Press to great reviews in all media. Currently Book 1 of a trilogy for children/young adults, The Camarilla. Invasion of the Torterats is being considered by publishers. A third novel, Water, is in manuscript form.



	Dorothy Paramore was born in Malawi. She completed her tertiary education in South Africa where she graduated with a B. A. [Honours English Literature] from Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg. She completed a Higher Education Teachers' Dip; [University of Pretoria, SA] and a Diploma in Remedial Education [ADHD, Wits.] Dorothy has taught in the UK. She has lectured at Wits and was an ADHD counsellor. A painter for 40 years, she enjoys literature. Dorothy favours poetry and has been published in FreeXpresSion literary magazine.				Hungarian born, Andrew Barry concentrated on getting his first book published after completing a post graduate course in Cognitive Science at the University of NSW. My Grand Career behind the Iron Curtain, a black comedy about his early engineering years in a totalitarian system, was launched in June 2004 at Woollahra Library.



	Gita Irwin calls herself a "professional liar" because she's been telling and writing stories from an early age. Gita is a filmmaker and writer who delves into personal stories. She also has a love of fantasy, romance and horror. She was given a commendation for a short story she wrote for the Australian Women's Weekly writing competition. Her short documentary Facing the Black Dog was screened last year at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. This year "Facing the Black Dog" received the runner-up prize in the 2008 Hope Awards for best short film.				A member of BWG by correspondence, Fay Reeve writes short stories and poetry. A retired dairy farmer, Fay resides in picturesque South East Gippsland, Victoria. Most of Fay’s work has a rural theme, based on her life experiences. Fay’s writing has appeared in a couple of Australian literary journals.



					Gavin Austin, a Writing Fellow of the FAW NSW, writes short fiction and poetry. Gavin’s work has appeared in various Australian journals and anthologies, been broadcast on National Community Radio, and has been successful in numerous literary competitions. Gavin has also been published in the USA and UK.



	Sunny Wong started writing in 2004 with Anna Carmody at the ESCC. Soon after, with Christine Butler she started the BWG, a place where aspiring writers could meet to learn and inspire. She has had some success with her memoirs and poems, and says writing will remain her close companion – a journey of self discovery, a struggle of constant adjustment with measured pace.				Gavin Hanbridge has written two reports on microfinance for The Research Institute for Asia and The Pacific as well as Shimonoseki City University, Japan. His short story, "Protected Assets", received a commendation in the NSW Writers' Centre 2005 Fast Fiction Competition. He writes about the past and the future but rarely about the present.



	Henry Collins, born and educated in the UK, was a practising vet in both the UK and New Zealand. A university teacher in New Zealand and Australia, now retired, he is experienced in writing scientific articles and reports. Henry has written a book and many articles on education. He now composes poetry, short stories and songs and finds writing totally absorbing and transcendent.				Jenifer Bert’s writing career started in radio. Earning honours and distinctions in creative writing and commercial copywriting with the Australian Institute of Radio and Television, she moved on to writing copy, comedy sketches, anti ads, and television and radio scripts for the Australian Radio Network, Austereo and Imagination Entertainment. Her first novel was so well received from many sources, she was inspired to write a sequel.