Thirty years ago a group of dedicated visionaries started Tasmania’s first literary magazine, Island. Island has since established itself as an essential part of Australia’s cultural landscape. Many other magazines which flowered in the 1970s have since foundered, but Island continues to grow and flourish. A special event is being held to publicly celebrate this significant milestone with the community and to mark the beginning of an exciting new era for this much-loved Tasmanian literary institution.
CELEBRATE Island
A free public event. There will be poets, politicians and prize winners in attendance, along with Tasmania’s finest thinkers and drinkers. It’s a party – to celebrate the 30th birthday of our premier literary magazine.
When: 6pm, Wednesday 14 October, 2009
Featuring:
• Launch by Duncan Kerr SC MP of the latest edition of Island magazine, showcasing the 2009 Wildcare Tasmania Nature Writing Prize winners
• Announcement by judges, Sarah Day and Tim Thorne, of the 2009 Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize winners, with a reading of first prize entry
• A hanging of landscape photographs by Island cover artist Chris Bell (presented by Bett Gallery).
Venue: Upstairs bar, Republic Bar & Café, cnr Burnett and Elizabeth St, North Hobart
Sponsored by the following local businesses:
Geon Island Espresso Republic Bar & Café Hobart Bookshop
Some interesting facts about Island
• Island contributes a distinctively Tasmanian voice to the national conversation about writing and ideas; one third of the content for each issue is sourced from Tasmania’s rich writing community
• Many significant Tasmanian writers have had their first ever publication through Island
• Island is no longer just a print magazine! An exciting online initiative for emerging writers and artists is currently in development. While full details of this project will not be announced until later this year, we can give a tantalizing peek into what else might be expected of Island in its 30th year
Gina Mercer
