Marshes and Mighty Mammals Book Launch at Mudgee Library 

Pamela O’Connor launches her book titled Marshes and Mighty Mammals to be held at the Mudgee Library on Tuesday 9 September at 10.30am. It is a biography of conservationist Joy Thomson  who was the founder of Project Jonah (Save the Whales) in Australia. The book crosses many continents including England, United States, Australia and Japan and tells of the caring people involved in bringing the world into recognition of the plight of the mighty mammal, the whale. Joy was also the marshes saviour by forming PYE (Protect your Environment) clubs throughout the world. The recipient of the Australian Medal, a masters degree in Zoology and many, many accolades, you will be touched by the ability of one woman to get out there and make a difference to the harmonious existence of animals and humans.

 Australian Poetry Slam 08 Central West Heats

Saturday 13 September at 2.30pm

Macquarie Regional Library

cnr Macquarie & Talbragar Streets

Dubbo

and

Thursday 18 September at 6.30pm

Orange City Library

Byng Street

Orange

Calling all outspoken wordsmiths to speak, scream, howl, whisper or sing.  Performers can sign up on the night from 6.00pm and the fun begins at 6.30pm at Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange.  See spoken word artist Miles Merrill (more about Miles) in action as he hosts this fun event.  Poets are invited to perform their own poetry for up to 2 mins, people will be selected from the audience to judge.  Two winners will go on to perform in Sydney at the State Final with accommodation and travel funded by Orange Regional Arts Foundation.   Here are the rules and for more information call the Central West Writers’ Centre on 6393 8125 or check out the State Library of NSW website: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/poetryslam/index.

 

Poets on Wheels

Tuesday 21 October

Enjoy rhyme, rhythm and wine when Poets on Wheels roll into Orange to present their contemporary works at this public poetry reading.  Indulge the senses tasting local wines while three diverse poets add verbal music with quality writing while on their Central West tour with the Poets Union.  Meet the poets, be in the audience or take part in the open section to unearth and encourage home-grown poets to bare their art and soul for a prize on the night.  It all begins at 6.30pm with Poetry Reading by David Brooks, Mark O’Flynn and Marvis Sofield at Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange.

Gold coin donation

This event is part of Wine Week and includes wine tasting on the night.

Visiting Poets on Wheels read for 15 minutes, then a break followed by an open mike session for local poets.  Poets on Wheels will award a local poet a prize for the best poem ($40) and prize certificate & a highly commended certificate will also be awarded.

 

Poets on Wheels Poetry Workshop

Wednesday 22 October

From 12pm  - 3pm  join in a poetry workshop for adults in the West Room, 

Orange Regional Gallery, next to Orange City Library with visiting Poets on Wheels David Brooks, Mark O’Flynn and Marvis Sofield.

Cost $10

For bookings please call 6393 8125.

Participants should bring around ten copies of one of their poems plus pen & paper.

 

Drop-in Days at the Central West Writers' Centre

 

Come along and meet other writers, talk about writing or share your writing in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere at the Central West Writers' Centre Drop-In Days. Beginners to experienced writers are welcome to call in.  During the July meeting we heard extracts from a fantasy novel, short stories and poetry and gave lots of encouragement to those seeking publication.  August will feature a writing exercise suggested by best selling crime author and Books Alive 2008 Ambassador Michael Robotham when he visited Orange last month.  If you don't have your own writing to bring in, please bring a favourite piece to talk about or join in the lively discussions or just sit back and listen - it is up to you.  The Drop-in Days are held where possible on the last Friday of the month at the same time of 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

The upcoming Drop-in Days will be as follows:

Friday 29 August

Friday 31 October

Friday 28 November

Friday 19 December (before Christmas)

Please call 6393 8125 for more information and we look forward to meeting you.

Writing Groups

If you are interested in meeting other people to talk about writing, words, books, authors and all things literary then contact the nearest group to you:

Mudgee

Mudgee Valley Writers meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 12 noon at Mudgee Soldiers’ Club.  For more information contact Barbara on 6372 4695.

 

Lithgow

The Lithgow Fellowship of Australian Writers meets on the third Sunday of the month at 2.30pm at the Lithgow Workies Club, 1 Tank Street, Lithgow.  New members are welcome and for details contact Margaret Maddock on 6353 1161.

 

Oberon

The Oberon Writers’ Workshop meets on the third Monday of the month from 10am to 1pm at Oberon Community Centre (next door to the Library).  Interested people are most welcome to attend, please call Anne on 6337 0363.

 

Bathurst

Bathurst Writing Group meets on the first Saturday of the month at Bathurst Library (at the back, in the childrens’ section) from 2pm to 3pm.  For more details about the group contact Martha on 6331 8382 or contact Bathurst Library.

Orange

A group meets regularly on the last day of the month at the Central West Writers' Centre located upstairs in Orange City Library on the drop-in days held on the last Friday of the month from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Interested people are welcome to attend. The group discuss writing, read aloud from writing projects, talk about writing concerns and writing exercises.   If you are interested in coming along please call the Writers' Centre on 6393 8125. All levels of experience welcome.

Dubbo

Sunday Readings are held on the first Sunday of each month at Macquarie Regional Library where members give reading of their poetry and prose, discuss their work and share interests in writing.  For more information about Outback Writers contact Peter Dargin on 6882 8880.

 

If you participate in a  writing group that meets regularly and would like your group listed on this website and in the Central West Writers’ Centre newsletter, please call 6393 8125 or email writing@orange.nsw.gov.au. 

 

Book Discussion Group Pageturners

 

Come along to  Pageturners book discussion group at Orange City Library on the second Wednesday of each month to talk about the latest "read" from 5.30pm to 7pm.  You will enjoy this time to talk about books with others in a social, relaxed atmosphere with refreshments served.  There is a different book for discussion each month.  The September discussion is about Time Wintosn's latest work Breath.   Call Orange City Library on 6393 8132 for more details or to RSVP.

 

Litlink Manuscript Consultations with Peter Bishop 

Thank you to everyone who attended the LitLink Manuscript Consultations in Bathurst and Orange at the end of 2007 and thank you to staff at Bathurst Regional Council for providing a centrally located venue.   The consultations were almost fully booked out so it is great to know so many people are working on writing projects.  Each year Arts NSW funds the NSW LitLink Program, providing exciting professional development opportunities for regional NSW writers.  Consultations are expected to be held at the end of 2008.  And we also appreciate Peter Bishop, Director of Varuna – The Writers’ House,  for his time, support and encouragement.