MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PARTY

ANDREW BARRY

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.

PUBLIC READING

THE WRITERS

A graduate of Melbourne University, Cynthia Rowe spent most of her working life teaching French and English to Year 12 in country Victoria and inner Melbourne. Now living in Sydney, Cynthia is a published short story writer and novelist. She also enjoys writing free verse and Japanese genre poetry.

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, was published by Otford Press in 2005. Currently two further novels are being considered for publication.

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.

Christine Butler 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.

Kay Watson was once an actor then joined the public service, which proved to be a suitable milieu for continuing acting – but not creative writing. Kay has still managed: semi-finalist in a poetry competition; commended in a memoir competition; a short story in Women’s Weekly and a funny piece in the SMH.

Gita Irwin has been telling and writing stories from a very early age.  A filmmaker and writer, she delves into personal narrative.  Gita received a commendation for a story in the Penguin/Australian Women’s Weekly writing competition; her short documentary, Facing the Black Dog, recently screened at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington.

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.

Madelein Jones has offered the following statement regarding her work: Writing Silent Stone was a cathartic way for Madelein to deal with the loss of her first boyfriend. The poem captures the memories against the backdrop of a crematorium garden. It’s infused with the finality of death and the grief that follows.

Dorothy Paramore has opted to present her own poetry. Dorothy has given us the following regarding her pieces. Le Tour de France is about the great cycle race that takes place in France each July. My Lovely Bones discusses Dorothy’s recent hip replacement operation. Arctic Ladies is about a misunderstanding.

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. 

THE MUSICIANS

The Interluders are Damien Smith, Jenny Green, Laura Medway and Gino Bollaert . Together they form a musically diverse background that includes Classical, medieval, Blues and Folk. They enjoy the procrastination from rigorous study that music allows, as well as other [liquid] forms of catharsis.

THE ACTORS

Ian Swallow trained in England and Australia. He has appeared in award winning short films, plus independent feature films, theatre, and TV, most recently in the ABC’s “The Bridge”. Ian won Best Male Actor at the 2007 Sydney Film School Short Film Festival for his role in 7:23.

Jonathan Elsom, a successful actor/director for 40 years in UK theatre, television and film, now calls Sydney home. Jonathan has appeared in several Australian theatre productions including for the STC. He recently toured as Mr. Bailey in Mr. Bailey’s Minder [Griffin]. Jonathan has also appeared on Australian television and in film.

Amelia Kerr graduated from Theatre Nepean and has since appeared in many plays. Amelia has performed in productions for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company, the Kudos Gallery, the Acting Factory and the New Theatre. A trained singer, dancer and voice artist, Amelia’s latest project is a part in the feature film Hobby Farm.

A member of The Lithgow Amateur Group, Costa Karagounis also sings with Voiceworks and plays the baroque recorder. Costa lives in the beautiful Blue Mountains and is at work on his first novel.

Kay Watson is a member of the Bondi Writers’ Group. See Kay’s bio in the writers’ section above.

VIKI WILLIAMS

Viki Williams commenced working at Dymocks ten years ago when the shop was in the old Carousel Centre and was owned by Barbara & Keith Norris. She had been working in the Aged Care area prior to that. She has always been an avid reader and was a regular customer at the shop because of the enthusiastic and helpful attitude of both the owners and the staff. Viki was very happy to have an opportunity to work in that environment and help other customers in the same way. Barb was a dynamic and supportive employer with a wealth of knowledge about books and caring for customers needs. She believes she could not have learnt about bookselling in a better place.

COSTA KARAGOUNIS

Costa Karagounis is a writer of short stories and is currently risking all on a novel. He used to practise in letters to clients in flamboyant prose though they weren’t sympathetic at the time.
Costa also acts with Lithgow Amateur Theatre Group, sings with Voiceworks, plays his baroque recorder and generally leads a wistful existence since quitting the nefarious corridors of the criminal courts. He lives in the Blue Mountains.

CATHY SYMONDS

Cathy Symonds was Children's Librarian at Waverley Library in the 1970s. She then worked at Sydney University in Fisher and the Engineering Library, Randwick Library in charge of the Adult Library, Children's Librarian at Lane Cove for 10 years, when she left to have her son. When Jack was small, she worked part-time at Waverley again, and then became Children's Librarian in 1999. Cathy’s changes of job were punctuated by trips overseas, often for 6 months at a stretch. She is a passionate advocate of the benefits of reading to children as early as possible (a la Mem Fox) and figures that if you love children and love literature, children's librarianship is the perfect career choice!

ALICE LIVINGSTONE

Alice is co-founder of Focus Theatre and an actor and director. As an actor her theatre credits include: I Love Youse All! (Focus Theatre); A Family Affair (Belvoir St B Sharp); Out in the Open (Focus Theatre); A Doll’s House (STC); , Emerald City (Theatre Up North); The Elephant Man, Talking With…, Beach Blanket Tempest (Riverina Theatre Company); Only Heaven Knows, The Government Inspector, Othello, A Cheery Soul, Assassins, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Into the Woods (New Theatre); My Mother Said I Never Should (Pilgrim Theatre); The Monk (Two Planks and a Passion) and Baby (Q Theatre).

Film and television includes: Kings in Grass Castles, All Saints, Home and Away and Water Rats. Alice trained at The Drama Studio, holds an MA in Theatre Studies from UNSW and has undertaken Master Classes with Phillipe Gaulier, Valeria Campo, Mike Alfreds and Rowena Balos. She was Artistic Director of New Theatre 2001 - 2002. Her directing credits at New Theatre include the Sydney premiere of In Angel Gear; the Australian premieres of Once in a While the Odd Thing Happens, Mother Clap’s Molly House and Gagarin Way; and a revival of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Other directing credits include co-director of Handbag (Focus Theatre/Seymour Centre); Blowing Whistles (Mardi Gras festival); and for Short & Sweet Get a life… coach (finalist, 2005) and Tattoo You (2006).

Jonathan Elsom is an established actor and theatre director who has enjoyed a successful 40 year career in U.K. theatre, television and films prior to settling in Sydney 6 years ago.

In London he played leading roles in long-running West End productions of:
Conduct Unbecoming, The Millionairess, Dirty Linen, London Assurance and The Importance of Being Earnest. He has had roles in numerous major productions for The Chichester Festival Theatre, The New Shakespeare Company, and many other British theatre companies.

Jonathan's is a familiar face on British television in such series as: To the Manor Born, Rising Damp, The Avengers, Crown Court, By the Sword Divided, Minder and Lloyd George. He has appeared regularly on Australian television as Toby Michener in Backberner for the ABC and as Dr. Don Murphy in All Saints for Channel 7.

Australian theatre includes: The Lady in the Van and Major Barbara [The Sydney Theatre Company]; Vicious Streaks [Darlinghurst Theatre]; A Family Affair [Belvoir] and The Department Store [The Old Fitzroy].

Jonathan began writing fiction in 2003; he has since won awards for his short stories and poetry.

SUZANNE LEAL

Suzanne Leal’s first book, Border Street, was published by Scribe Publications in August 2006. It is a novel based on the wartime experiences of her Czech landlords.

Before being appointed to several review tribunals, Suzanne worked as a criminal lawyer. She has had articles published in the Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW Law Society Journal and Sydney’s Child.

In 2003, Suzanne received a manuscript development award from the writers’ centre, Varuna. Since 2005, she has been represented by the UK based literary agent, Toby Eady.

Suzanne lives in Sydney and is currently working on her second novel.

MONICA DAVIDSON

After completing a degree in Arts/Communication majoring in film production, Monica undertook a number of business courses. She has worked as a freelance producer, director and writer for over 20 years, been a trainer for over 15, and comfortably supports herself and three beautiful daughters all on her own.

Freelance Success program has now been running for 13 successful years across NSW, producing many successful and confident freelancers in a variety of creative and artistic fields. Monica has over 100 credits to her name as a producer, director and cinematographer and has had her writing published in over a dozen magazines and websites both locally and overseas.

Monica is currently working on her first book, a collaboration of the insightful and practical lessons she teaches during the Freelance Success course. Her book, 'Freelance Success - Be Creative, Make Money, Love your Work' is set to be published mid 2007 by UK company Petergate Publishing. www.freelancesuccess.com.au

NO SPEAKER - SPECIAL MEMBERS MEETING