Willoubhy Literary Festival 17 – 27 July 2025 Enjoy author talks and panel discussions 2.

colleen Poetry 23/07/202523/07/2025Anne Casey, Anne Greco, Denise O'Hagen, review, Willoughby Literary Festival

A VERY AFFIRMING REVIEW OF THE MAKING OF A POEM PANEL DISCUSSION Thank-you Anne.

Willoughby Literary Festival runs until 27 July 2025 – don’t miss it!

I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the inaugural Willoughby Literary Festival, proudly hosted by Willoughby City Council!

The first panel discussion, I attended explored the lives and enduring influence of Shirley Hazzard, Elizabeth Harrower, and

Charmian Clift—three remarkable women who overcame challenging childhoods to leave an indelible mark on Australian literature.

Their strength, resilience, and literary brilliance were truly inspiring.

The second panel discussion, delved into the making of a poem.

While I’m not a writer, poetry has always held a special place in my heart –

its ability to distil raw emotion into just a few words never fails to move me.

Anne Casey’s poem laid bare the emotional cost of political injustice, weaving sorrow,
defiance, and the fierce endurance of the female spirit.

Colleen Keating offered a beautiful reflection on memory and family,
using a treasured recipe book to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and love
passed down through generations.

Denise O’Hagan’s The Art of Waiting captured the quiet agony
of sitting beside a seriously ill child – its imagery haunting, honest,
and unforgettable.

These three extraordinary poets – members of the Society of Women Writers,

now celebrating 100 years – left a profound impression.

Anne Greco, Willoughby Councillor

Go to the event program on the library web page and book what’s for you!

https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-programs/Willoughby-Literary-Festival

#WilloughbyLiteraryFestival

#WilloughbyCouncil

#WomenWriters

RETURN: A first walk in the terrace garden by Colleen Keating

colleen Poetry 23/07/2025cinderella story, garden walk, silver slipper, terrace walk, Walk

When your first few walks after a hospital stay are just on your terrace and it is still winter

A Cinderella’s silver slipper moment
the first morning after a hospital stay.

Light ushers in a dawn festival . Each leaf
a carillon of bells on the fiddle tree.

Music sounds on the air.
Amerthys, ruby, emerald shine on petals .

The scent of the earth.
Caroll of birds.

Blood-red Coleus .
The schlumbergera still blooming

Bearded Lily, Iris, Petuna
the rainbow spikes of bromeliads and salvia.

From the sterile white cell
today is finding the owner

of the lost diamond slipper
and slipping it back on.

Willoubhy Literary Festival 17 – 27 July 2025 Enjoy author talks and panel discussions

colleen General, Poetry 20/07/202521/07/2025Anne Casey, Denise O'Hagan, Michele Seminara, Panel: The Making of a Poem, Willoughby Literary Festival

Willoughby Literary Festival: The making of a Poem

Award winning poets Anne Casey, Colleen Keating and Denise O’Hagan in discussion with Michele Seminara.

All members of The Society of Women Writers NSW – delve into one of thier poems,

sharing its inspiration, development, meaning and the craft behind their writing.

PANEL: THE MAKING OF A POEM

Hello all, and huge thanks to Jan Conway for organising and our wonderful poets, Anne Casey, Colleen Keating and Denise O’Hagen.

Special thanks to our facilitator, Michele Seminara

It was a great event. Jan took photos, and hers are probably better than mine (see attached).

We played the Centenary Song at the start and I put leaflets on every second seat. There were a number of SWW members in the audience, and I hope some non-members picked up the leaflets. There were only 2 left after the event. I spoke to a few non-members who expressed an interest in joining SWW so I think we may get some new members. I also handed out a couple of copies of the Autumn/March Women’s Ink to people who expressed an interest.

Let’s hope Willoughby Council does this again next year and that we are able to have another panel or speaker event there.

With kind regards,

Pippa Kay,

Co-President,

Society of Women Writers NSW Inc.

swwpresident@gmail.com

Mob: 0407 725747

And from Jan Conway our converor, a lovely note

Thank you all for your kind comments. On the day there was no doubt as to the stars. An enormous thank you to you all. Michele’s questions were insightful and sensitive. The answers considered and honest. It was a privilege for me to work with such authentic, gorgeous women.
Warm regards
Jan