Society of Women Writers N.S.W.

Also known as
Society of Woman Writers NSW.
Society of Women Writers New South Wales Inc. (1925-)
Function
Arts organisation
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35318956
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-501104

Biographies

The Society of Women Writers New South Wales Inc., established in 1925 and incorporated in 1987, is the longest-standing literary society in Australia. Dame Mary Jean Gilmore, writer, teacher and pioneer of many causes, is credited with initiating the Society (she was a member of its first executive committee). The Society's main aim was to draw together women writers (including poets, journalists, playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers) to support each other in their writing endeavours. It is also aimed to maintain the status of the writing profession, promote a knowledge of literature, and strengthen ties between Australian and visiting writers.

In 1970 the Society changed its name to The Society of Women Writers (Australia), and susequently formed branches in other Australian states. But this became problematic when a new federal body of the same name was created in 1980. After some disputes, the New South Wales arm of the Society changed its name again to The Society of Women Writers New South Wales, incorporating as a separate entity in 1987 it effectively seceding from the federal body.

As of 2004, the Society's website describes its aims as 'to enable women writers in all genres to meet and network, and to benefit from regular seminars and workshops … [and] to encourage aspiring writers to achieve professional status.' In addition to monthly workshops and luncheon meetings, the Society continues to administer a number of Awards and Competitions, and issues a bi-monthly Newsletter to its members. The Society conducts an annual competitions for poetry, short stories, non-fiction as well as fiction and children's books.

An enormous number of books have been published under the auspices of the Society. Only a few of these have been listed in this database.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Australian Women's Register

Resources for Society of Women Writers N.S.W.

Selected resources (19)

Australian Women's Register

  1. Ink no.2 :50th anniversary edition
    Lindsay, Hilary
    [1977]
    Published: Society of Women Writers (Australia)
  2. Ink.
    Robertson, Constance
    [1932]
    Published: The Society
  3. So you want to be a writer: A beginner's guide
    Lindsay, Hilary
    [1977]
  4. The newsletter of the Society of Women Writers N.S.W. Inc
    [1971-1975; 1984-]
    Published: The Society
  5. Sixty Years On: Diamond jubilee anthology
    [1985]
    Published: Society of Women Writers (Australia), N.S.W. Branch
  6. Federal president's report / Society of Women Writers
    [1974-]
    Published: The Society
  7. Annual report / the Society of Women Writers (Australia)
    [1925-]
    Published: The Society
  8. Woman Writer/Society of Women Writers (Aust.)
    [1975-200]
    Published: The Society
  9. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Society of Women Writers (Australia) New South Wales Branch Papers (1974 - 1985)
    Minutes, 1974-78; Diamond Jubilee Competition, 1985, papers and entries; scrapbook, 1980-1983; misc. papers relating to publications of the Society.
    ML MSS 4222 ADD-On 1758
  10. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers (1977 - 1990)
    Three folders of papers covering the periods 1977-1987, 1987-1989 and 1989-1990 respectively, during the period of Joy Lindrum Gillan's presidency of The Society of Women Writers Australia. The papers are related to a dispute between The Society of Women Writers Australia and the New South Wales Branch.
    MS 5877
  11. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Society of Women Writers of NSW Records (1968 - 1969)
    Papers include lists of members, constitution rules and newspaper cuttings.
    MS 2608
  12. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Society of Women Writers (Australia) Records (1925 - 1990)
    The collection includes the Sydney office's records, correspondence of the various state branches, constitutional details, newsletters, manuscripts from various literary competitions and workshops, publications of the Society, membership lists, accounts, applications for grants, conference papers and minutes of the Society's meetings. A large component of the collection is that concerning the Society's 1978 short story competition, for which there are many letters of application and numerous manuscripts.
    NLA MS 6777
  13. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers (1976 - 1992)
    The papers are Lindrum Gillan's records of the activities of, and her involvement in, the Society of Women Writers: 1986-1988; Society of Women Writers (Australia), Federal Executive and Federal Council minutes, audited statements (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/1) 1980-1986; Society of Women Writers (Australia) New South Wales Branch, financial statements (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/1) 1985-1988; Society of Women Writers (Australia), Federal Council, financial statements (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/1) 1986; Society of Women Writers (Australia), conference, statements, receipts, agendas, menus, federal election N.S.W. members (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/1) 1976-1984; Society of Women Writers (Australia), constitution and incorporation as national body (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/1) 1981-1988; Society of Women Writers (Australia) New South Wales Branch, newsletter (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2) 1980-1992; Society of Women Writers (Australia), 'The Woman Writer' (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2) 1986-1989; Society of Women Writers (Australia), correspondence between N.S.W. Federal Executive and Queensland Federal Executive (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2) 1988-1990; Society of Women Writers (Australia), Federal Executive (Qld), minutes and financial statements (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2) 1990; Society of Women Writers (Australia), information concerning Seventh Biennial Conference, Melbourne (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2) 1978-1985; Society of Women Writers (Australia) New South Wales Branch, annual reports (Locn No.: MLMSS 6603/2)
    MLMSS 6603/1-2
  14. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Society of Women Writers of N.S.W. Records (1968 - 1969)
    Papers include lists of members, constitution rules and newspaper cuttings.
    MS 2608
  15. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Society of Women Writers (Australia), Records (1925 - 1990)
    The collection includes the Sydney office's records, correspondence of the various state branches, constitutional details, newsletters, manuscripts from various literary competitions and workshops, publications of the Society, membership lists, accounts, applications for grants, conference papers and minutes of the Society's meetings. A large component of the collection is that concerning the Society's 1978 short story competition, for which there are many letters of application and numerous manuscripts.
    MS 6777
  16. National Library of Australia Oral History Collection: [Conversation with Elizabeth Guy] [sound recording] / [interviewer : Hazel de Berg].
    Interview date: 11 November 1977. 2 cassettes (ca. 75 min.) : 1 7/8 ips. Transcript available (26 p.) Guy speaks of her involement with the Society of Women Writers ; the Society's seminars ; immigrating to Australia in 1952 to begin a new life ; writing for A.B.C. radio. She provides biographical details.
    ORAL DeB 1031
  17. National Library of Australia Oral History Collection: [Conversation with Enid Conley] [sound recording] / [interviewer: Hazel de Berg].
    Interview date: 21 November 1975. 2 cassettes (ca. 69 min.) : 1 7/8 ips. Transcript available (23p.). Conley, author of children's novels speaks of her work as a writer and the discipline required ; she recalls her childhood and family life ; working in the WRANs and naval life ; the beginnings of her career as a full time writer; Betty Roland and the Society of Women Writers ; she explains the title of her book "The dangerous Bombara" ; the editing of her manuscript for her book "Gecko gully" ; she speaks of the theme for her novel titled "Lucas". Subject (Personal) Conley, Enid Interviews. Subject (Personal) Conley, Enid. Dangerous Bombara. Subject (Personal) Conley, Enid. Gecko gully. Subject (Personal) Conley, Enid. Lucas. Subject (Topical) Women novelists, Australian Interviews. Personal Name (Added) De Berg, Hazel, 1913-1984. Holdings National Library of Aust. ANL 2461018
    ORAL DeB 890
  18. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: 'Cultivating the arts:Sydney women culturists 1900-1950' by Jane Hunt
    The thesis 'examines through a series of case studies the work of practitioners in the arts, individual patrons or supporters of particular artists or cultural groups, and networks of supporters. It explores the dynamics of respective movements initiated or driven by women within musical, artistic, literary and theatrical circles, and in the wider community of the culturally concerned'. In nine chapters the work explores the early patronage of Miles Franklin, 1900-1906; the role of the 'Fairfax women',( members of the prominent Sydney family), in the arts and crafts movement, 1899-1914; the Canadian born Ethel Kelly, who acted in Sydney theatre in 1903, and took up charity work after her marriage; Mary Gilmore and women writers of the 1920s; Ethel Anderson, 1924-1940; Lilian Frost, the Pitt Street Congregational Church organist, 1895-1949; Lady Margaret Gordon and the 'little theatre' movement, 1929-1939; the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Beatrice Swinson, Ruth Fairfax and Lady Gordon; and Mary Alice Evatt and the Art Gallery of N.S.W.
    MLMSS 7267
  19. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Joy Lindrum Gillan Papers (1977 - 1990)
    Three folders of papers covering the periods 1977-1987, 1987-1989 and 1989-1990 respectively, during the period of Joy Lindrum Gillan's presidency of The Society of Women Writers Australia. The papers are related to a dispute between The Society of Women Writers Australia and the New South Wales Branch.
    MS 5877

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