Cirrus@Austlit

'As a young writer in the early 1980s I had the good fortune to come to the attention and into the company of Patrick White. Now, I know not everyone whose path crossed Patrick’s in that period will describe their encounter as an instance of luck working in their favour, but that is how it was for me and still how I see it today. I learned much from him back then and, as far as I can tell, failed him only once.' (Introduction)

'In The Bush (2014), Don Watson explored notions of what that most variegated of terms, ‘the bush’, meant to earlier generations, including his own family. In A Single Tree, he presents extracts from writings of all kinds for what he calls ‘a fragmentary history of humans in the Australian bush’. He takes as given the diverse applications of the word ‘bush’ over time and chooses pieces that give expression to a multiplicity of feelings, words, and thoughts around aspects of Australian place.'

(Introduction)

'The death of Gough Whitlam has brought to mind for many of us who were around during his prime ministership just what a vital part he played in so many areas of Australian life. In the encomiums (a word he would doubtless have approved in relation to himself!) that followed his passing, mention was made of his important support of the arts and Australian cultural life, but little said of his active role in assisting the development of a healthy and distinctive Australian literary culture.'  (Introduction)

'Angelo Loukakis on the invisibility of Australian books overseas.

'PLUS The ASA National Writers' Congress: a report by Jacqueline Breen.'