Wendy Richardson had been a school teacher and community worker before she began writing professionally in 1986, when she was commissioned by Theatre South, Wollongong, to write Windy Gully, which was presented in that theatre company's 1987 season. A resident of Mount Kembla since 1965, Richardson studied English Literature and Drama at the University of Wollongong. The majority of her plays, which represent a significant social history of the Illawarra region, have been commissioned by Theatre South, and were presented at that company's Bridge Theatre in Coniston, a suburb of Wollongong. These include 'On the Coal' (1988), 'Slacky Flat' (1988), 'Lights Out Nellie Martin' (1990), 'The Last Voyage of the Gracie Anne' (1993), 'That Christmas of '75' (1995) and 'Vida' (1996). Some of her plays have been presented by other theatre companies, including 'Horse Shoe Bend' (Maitland Repertory Society, 1992), 'Alma' (Sydney Festival and Carnivale, 1993), 'Under the House' (Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong, 1993) and 'Valerie Paterson - Where Can She Live?' (Illawarra Christian Performing Arts Company, 1995). As well as the awards listed here, Richardson also received the Wollongong City Council's Contribution to the Arts Award in 2006.
