16 April 2008
Victoria University has welcomed the opportunity to promote the arts in Melbourne's west as a major sponsor of the Williamstown Literary Festival, which will be held over the weekend of May 4-6.
A unique celebration of books and writing from the region, this is the second year VU has been a major Festival sponsor. The volunteer-run event has gained widespread recognition over the past five years for the standard of writers it draws, as well as its unique workshops and programs.
Celebrated writers including Andy Griffiths, Eric Beecher, Alan Kohler, Michael Gurr, Kate Holden and Tanya Ha will highlight the 2008 program.
Professor Richard Carter, VU Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education Services) and Director TAFE spoke at the unveiling of the Festival program on 16 April.
"We see the Festival as a great opportunity to promote literature in Melbourne's west, as well as to highlight our own very well regarded writing courses", he said.
A popular feature of the Festival is the Ada Cambridge Short Story Competition. VU Professional Writing teacher Sherryl Clarke won the inaugural contest in 2005, and former student Annette Signori was winner in 2006. VU has several entrants in this year's competition, which offers a $500 prize for biographical stories and poetry.
Other VU students are also involved in the Festival, including event management and public relations undergraduates, who gain first-hand experience organising a key local cultural event.
In addition, VU research fellow, Dr Jeff Sparrow, editor of "Overland" magazine - one of Australia's longest standing literary and cultural magazines - will join VU Emeritus Professor John McLaren in a topical session on the future of literary magazines.
Professor Carter said several VU library exhibitions will be launched later this month to complement the Festival. The St Albans Campus library will feature a display of the works of Ada Cambridge - the namesake of the Festival's writing competition - and one of Williamstown's most famous colonial novelists, diarists, and newspaper columnists.
The Footscray Park Campus will feature an exhibition of the gems of Australian literature from its Australiana collection, with special focus on writers from Melbourne's west. Both exhibitions will be open to the public.
"The festival is a good fit with many VU activities and we are pleased to be involved with such an important and prestigious event", Professor Carter said.
For full program details, visit www.willylitfest.org.au
Photos of Professor Carter at this event are available on request
Media Contact: Ann Marie Angebrandt, Snr Writer/Journalist
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 5487; mobile: 0403 556 001
