March Newsletter Notice: DiscoveriesMarch Newsletter Notice: Because the last Friday of the month...

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Page 2 President’s Letter

Page 3 Editor’s Letter

Page 4-5 Dorothy Rich-ards by Errol

Broome

Page 6-7 Alice Landau by Meryl Tobin

Page 8 Changing Lives, Chang-ing Times Re-

view by Veron-

Pages 9 Changing Lives, Chang-ing Times by

Dulcie M.

0-11

Apostrophe Issues Simpli-fied by Rebec-

ca Maxwell

Discoveries By Marguerite Kisvardi

Inner rooms, the warmth of protection, thought and feeling safe and quiet, but a window of sky stirs the need to escape, discover other people, someone to share vicissitudes of life. We drive through plains where a wind sweeps endlessly, lifting dust from ploughed paddocks. A line of sheep stands patiently as though in a queue for supplies. Rubbish litters roads, empty cans, rags, detritus of passers-by. We glide through provincial towns, see rows of mail boxes like one-legged puppets waiting to be fed. Families walk in streets, there's an unknown spire on the horizon. A wayside stall with pyramids of fruit flourishes colour, yellow orange red. Houses and shop fronts hint at lives within. Autumn in avenues of trees waves gold and scarlet messages across the sky.

March Newsletter Notice:

Because the last Friday of the month falls on Easter Saturday, there won’t a SWWV meeting this month.

President's Letter

Dear Members,

The number of attendees at our last meeting shows that

members love to share their work and talk about books. I

found the same sentiment at Adelaide Writer’s Week last

week. Both these events reminded me that we cannot un-

derestimate the importance of connecting with other writ-

ers and the readers of our work because they are not mutu-

ally exclusive.

While we might not be thinking of the reader as we write

initially, we do need to think of him or her at some stage.

Without readers, we have no vehicle for our stories. Seems so logical, doesn’t it?

I am often surprised when I facilitate writing workshops and a writer tells me that she

doesn’t read much. I need to bite my tongue in response to this! How can anyone ex-

pect to improve their writing skills if they don’t read much? Reading improves com-

prehension, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and also shows the writer how to cast a

sentence, the use of pacing and a number of other stylistic devices.

Sharing our writing also helps us to gain feedback for something that previously has

only lived in our head. Even the simple act of reading our work aloud will give insight

into how it will be for the reader, where we stumble over words (meaning the word

choice could be better) and how the language resonates as we read it.

Through reading and writing we have an exchange of ideas that live together so, as

writers, we need to be consumers of books and we need to show our work to others in

order to improve the way we convey our ideas. Both are very enjoyable activities as we

saw in our February meeting. I look forward to more of this kind of exchange at the

Society.

Until next month, keep writing!

Blaise Van Hecke

WRITE AWAY MARCH 2016 page 2

Editor’s Letter

Dear Members,

We have many items in this month’s edition of Write Away.

Sadly, two of our long-time members, Dorothy Richards and Alice

Landau have recently passed away. Their time and generosity

were invaluable to the SWWV. Tributes to the lives of these amaz-

ing women and their contributions to the Society can be found on

pages 4-7.

On page 8, Veronica Schwarz reviews Dulcie M. Stone’s newest

book, Changing Lives, Changing Times. The book explores Dulcie

Stone’s years as a teacher in a writing and arts program. This pro-

gram strives to help people of varying ages and backgrounds. Information on how to

obtain a copy of Dulcie’s book is provided at the end of the review. On page 9, Dulcie

also talks about her latest publication, giving tribute to the late Dr Dennis Maginn,

who endorsed the program in the 1960s for people with disabilities.

On pages 10 and 11, Rebecca Maxwell explains the correct uses of the apostrophe in

her article Apostrophe Issues Simplified. It is a very detailed and useful article for an-

yone struggling with the proper uses of the apostrophe.

There won’t be a March meeting, so I wish all of you a happy Easter, and even if you

don’t have time to work on your writing at this time, I hope you enjoy the Easter choc-

olate!

All the best,

Lauren Thompson



Dorothy Richards

7.6.1916 – 9.2.2016

By Errol Broome

I often wonder where our Society would be today if it were not for Dorothy Richards. She

was a founding member in 1970, and the first Treasurer. In 1978 she rescued the Victorian

branch from a crisis after we were left, mid-term, without a President. Dorothy stepped into

the position. Always cheerful, thoughtful and compassionate, she also brought a good dose of

commonsense into the role and could be firm when sound judgement was required. At the

same time, she was leader of the AEA Friday Writers; this she did for more than 30 years.

Dorothy always had more time for others than for herself. I know her time for writing suffered

because of the hours she devoted to family, friends and the community – anyone who needed

her, anybody she could help. Yet over the years she won many prizes for her short stories, and

she kept on writing. In 2004, she won first prize in the Society’s Slice of Life Christmas com-

petition.

I wonder sometimes whether, if she had not put others before herself, Dorothy might have

been another Katherine Mansfield. Her writing was unpretentious, never sentimental, acutely

observant and rich in the aspects of everyday living that touch us all. She brought to it a light,

affectionate sense of humour, warming to read. (She once wrote of her father in his long un-

derwear, looking like a parsnip.)

Dorothy was devoted to her husband Harold, who was the Society’s Honorary Auditor and

helped to paint the room we owned, rent-free in the old YMCA building where Southgate now

stands. In a list of acknowledgments in her book An Anthology of Aunts, Dorothy thanked ‘last

but not least, the man in my life, who has always reminded me to do my homework (though

he has never read a single word) and who got me to the

train on time every Friday for 30 years.’

In the introduction to the book, she wrote: ‘I have not tried

to be witty or clever or anything but myself.’ That was

Dorothy. She has been much missed by SWWVic over the

years she has been unable to join us at meetings, but the

warmth and joy and gift of her presence will endure.

Former president and founding member of the SWWV, Dor-

othy Richards at 56 years old.


A Celebration of the Life of Dorothy Richards

7.6.1916 – 9.2.2016

By Janet Howie

The funeral of Dorothy Richards was held at St John’s

Uniting Church, Williamstown, on February 16 at

10.00am. The church was packed with Dorothy’s im-

mediate family, her many relatives in Williamstown,

her friends and admirers. The Literary Patron of the So-

ciety of Women Writers Victoria Inc. and a former pres-

ident, Janet Howie, were also present.

The service was led by Rev David Howie, (not related

to Janet), a former Minister of the Williamstown Parish.

Family members and neighbours paid tribute to Doro-

thy as wife, mother, friend and writer. It was noted that

she was a founding member of the Society of Women

Writers, Victorian Branch and an active participant. Her family story, Anthology of Aunts re-

mains popular, as does her collection of stories, Free Range. Cheerful and creative, her

memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her and read her work.

Vale, Alice Landau

By Meryl Tobin

Members of The Society of Women Writers Vic-toria were greatly saddened to read of Alice Lan-dau’s passing. A Committee member for some years, she was our Assistant Treasurer and our Hostess who sat at the door with her ever-welcoming smile. All members who knew her loved her.

To have gone through what she did in her home country Hungary and elsewhere during the tur-bulent 1930s and 40s and come out smiling and still be in love with life was a remarkable

achievement. To chronicle her experiences in a memoir, and to do so in a positive way, is also remarkable.

Alice Landau at the launch of her book, Snip-

pets from My Family Album. Photo provided

by Meryl Tobin.

Dorothy in her 80s. Photo provided by Mi-

chael Richards.


At the launch of her book Snippets from My Family Album, Alice said, ‘I always wanted to write this book … I was robbed of my parents, my brother, my extended family, including my aunts and uncles. I was robbed of my childhood. I wanted to commemorate them all.’

On learning of Alice’s passing, individual SWWV members expressed their sorrow and made tributes to her:

Errol Broome: ‘Sad news. Poor Alice had a hard last year or two, and was such a bright and positive person. I will write to her daughter.’

Betty Caldwell, also Tutor of the Wednesday Writers, U3A, Melbourne: ‘We were saddened to hear of Alice’s death. Alice was always an optimistic, generous and vi-brant contributor to our meetings and was held in particularly high regard.’

Agnes Chatfield: ‘I had an affection for Alice. Always a cheerful person; her mem-oir about her background and how she came to Australia was beautifully written and very touching.’

Janet Howie: ‘I remember Alice's cheerful work as Assistant Treasurer and the en-ticing hampers she liked to prepare for special occasions. She also invited us to her home for lunch followed by poetry and prose readings. I found her memoir moving and uplifting. It has been good to know her as writer and friend.’

Rebecca Maxwell: ‘The dear hospitable Alice received many of us for the day once a year and provided delicious catering and the opportunity for conversation about writing. There is a gentleness in Alice’s voice. This tone is a melody that accompa-nies my thoughts of her. I will never forget her sitting at the door. She was hospi-tality herself.’

Lorraine McGuigan: ‘I am so sad to hear of Alice's passing. I send my condolences to all who loved her.’

Jean McLean: ‘Oh Meryl. How sad.’

Veronica Schwarz: ‘Sad news indeed. Alice was a beautiful person.’

Lauren Thompson: ‘I am very sorry to hear about Alice’s passing. Alice was such a friendly and kind lady, who always had time for everyone. ‘

Shirley Whiteway: ‘That is so very sad. I spent many happy times at Alice’s house when Society members got together for lunch or to read each other’s work. Alice loved entertaining and she was very happy when she had a roomful of fellow writ-ers. These are precious memories I have of Alice. I also loved her book and her honesty about her childhood. She was a most beautiful and kind friend.’


Paula Wilson: ‘Alice said at her book launch that I was a mentor to her, I never saw it that way. To me she was an inspiration who had a multitude of stories that needed to be told and it was a privilege for me to be involved in their telling. On the acknowl-edgement page of the book she said she was grateful to me, but it is me who was grate-ful that I could share her writing journey and her friendship.’

Del Nightingale: ‘It’s like the end of an era to know that Alice has died. She was a strong courageous woman with a very big life story and an amazing capacity to see the positive in each day. It was a privilege to know her.’

Alice was a proud and loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, a great worker, a true friend and a loving, compassionate human being. At her funeral her daughter Rachel said Alice aspired to be a good person, and she was. Though Alice will be sadly missed, her book, her family and the memories family and friends hold of her will live on.

Our deepest sympathy to Alice’s family: her older daughter Rachel and husband Adam Cohen and their daughter Avital, and her younger daughter Naomi, husband Shai Eglick and their son Elijah.

Photo provided by Meryl Tobin.

Changing Lives Through Creative Writing

By Veronica Schwarz

SWWV member Dulcie Stone has written and published her latest book, Changing

Lives Changing Times. The book tells of Dulcie’s many years of work with a creativity

-based program of writing and art, working with students of a wide range of abilities

and ages. The book is dedicated to the late Dr Dennis Maginn, former Director of the

Victorian Mental Health Authority who officially endorsed the 1960s program at the

Mildura Day Training Centre. Students’ resultant self-exploration and increase in con-

fidence, self worth and the ability to communicate ideas and express feelings, has lit-

erally changed lives.

The Department of Criminology at Melbourne University has described Dulcie as a pi-

oneer in the area of Criminology, Creative Arts and Education. As fellow writers, we

can take pride in this considerable achievement of one of our members. Dulcie’s work

as a writer and a teacher has helped to change the lives of children and adults with in-

tellectual disabilities, highly gifted children and many others who had withdrawn into

themselves and whose lives, were it not for this program, might have been bleak in-

deed.

Throughout the book, Dulcie presents compelling true stories of the students she

worked with. She provides thought-provoking examples of lives that have been

touched and enhanced by the exploration of their own creativity. Her work was re-

ceived with mixed reactions and sometimes downright opposition but her persistence

and care for her students shines through it all. Dulcie’s style is compassionate, at

times humourous and self-deprecating and filled with her own willingness to learn

from her students. It’s a heart-warming read with an eye-opening window into the

world of personality, learning and creativity.

Dulcie has written both fiction and non-fiction. This is her nineteenth book.

Copies of Changing Lives, Changing Times can be obtained free of all charges includ-

ing postage from the Australian Institute on Intellectual and Developmental Disabili-

ties at [email protected] or from [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Changing Lives, Changing Times

By Dulcie M. Stone

Publisher: Spectrum Publications

In 1991 Massachusetts University English Professor Robert Waxler and Judge Robert Kane initiated a pro-gram titled Changing Lives Through Literature.

Designed for criminals sentenced to read and discuss assigned books as an alternative to imprisonment, its aim is to facilitate self exploration and increase the ability to confidently communicate ideas and express feelings.

The Australian creativity-based program has exactly the same aim.

The Department of Criminology at Melbourne University has described Dulcie Stone as a pioneer in the area of Criminology, Creative Arts and Education.

Factual cases and true stories in Changing Lives, Changing Times demonstrate suc-cessful use of the program in widely differing situations.

Importantly, the book is dedicated to the late Dr Dennis Maginn, former Director of the Victorian Mental Health Authority, who officially endorsed the 1960s creativity-based program at the Mildura Day Training Centre for people with intellectual disa-bility.

In the 1980 book Annie’s Coming Out Dr Maginn was falsely accused of attempted murder by disabled Anne McDonald while she was using Facilitated Communication (FC).

In 2014 the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication stated that it did not support FC as a valid means to communicate important life de-cisions. ‘FC appears to be in violation of several articles of the United Nations Con-ventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (i.e. Articles 12,16,17, and 21)’

Despite this, Dr Maginn has never been publicly vindicated!


Dulcie M. Stone. Picture provided by

Veronica Schwartz

Apostrophe Issues Simplified

A few ideas by Rebecca Maxwell

1: The apostrophe is most frequently used to replace a missing letter.

Examples: wouldn't (would not). can't (cannot). It's (it is).

2: The apostrophe can show possession:

Bill's boots. Jane's boots. This door's rusty hing-

es. A camel's humps. The baby's bottle.

3: We have another way of showing possession, by

using words which express belonging: possessive

pronouns:

Bill's boots- (or) "his boots" Jane's boots- (or) "her boots". The door's rusty hinges

(or) "its rusty hinges". The camel's humps- (or) "its humps". The land's fertility- (or)

"its fertility". The baby's bottle- (or) "his bottle", (or) "her bottle", (or) "its bottle". The

paper's editor (or) "its editor".

A map of the town with its cattle market.

The children's healthy sandwiches - "their healthy sandwiches".

Please note the possessive "its", the possessive pronoun, does not have an apostrophe.

In praise of the apostrophe, that tells-every little blip! It excuses the omission, and lets

a letter skip!

Yes, one may write "isn't", "it's", "wouldn't", "o'clock", "wantin", and so on, just by ac-

knowledging the omitted letter with an apologetic apostrophe. that's fine.

And sometimes the apostrophe is a legal guardian; it accords possession to the right

person: "Bill's books". "Jane's belongings". "The camel's humps". "The land's fertility".

"That mine's wealth". "The children's cousins".

But we can dispense with the apostrophe as the arbiter of possession, when we use

possessive pronouns:

“His books", "her friends" "its humps" "our cousins" "my parents".

Or, we can also use another form of the possessive pronoun (and also without an apos-trophe to denote ownership:


"The books are his".

"These belongings are hers". "This house is theirs".

4: Problems with Plurals: Where does the apostrophe go- before or after the S? If the

plural noun ends with S- eg boys, girls ,dogs and buns- the apostrophe goes after the

S.

Boys' voices. Girls' voices. Buns' topping. Dogs' paws.

But some plural nouns are not formed with S.

Children, men, feet, sheep

Children’s noise. Feet’s comfort. Men’s ideas. Sheep’s fleeces. The shy women's sto-

ries.

Just remember this: Don't interrupt the noun's identity: if the noun ends in S then

write it fully, then put the apostrophe in to show possession. If the plural noun is not

formed with S, then put the apostrophe right after the noun, and then the S. It's sim-

ple: just don't let the apostrophe interfere with the natural spelling of the noun.

Children’s noise. Boys' noise. Men’s feet. Camels' feet. Birds' whistles. Sheep’s fleeces.

The apostrophe is an informative blip, but not by damaging the noun.


Quote of the Month

“You’re afraid the ashes are cold but all you have to

do is blow on them, breathe life back into them. Your

stories lie waiting for you to bring them to life.” —

Kate Forsyth

Surface Mail POSTAGE

PAID AUSTRALIA

Society and Newsletter Info

Contact Editor: [email protected]

Deadline for material: the 7th of the month

Society Meetings are on the last Friday of each month

Meeting Room: Hayden Raysmith Room, 4th Floor, Ross House. 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

March Newsletter Notice: DiscoveriesMarch Newsletter Notice: Because the last Friday of the month...

Documents

Transcript of March Newsletter Notice: DiscoveriesMarch Newsletter Notice: Because the last Friday of the month...