It was very special to be part of the Centenary Celebrations for the Society of Women Writers. The photo above is Pip Griffin and myself celebrating at the Rooftop Bar with its spectacular views over the Domain and Botanical Gardens and the Harbour.

1925 -2025.

We are a group of Sydney Writers who claaim to have in our story the brave women of the 1920’s , World Wars, Depression, the Cold War, the struggle for equality , diversity and Inclusivity.over the past 100 years.

Women including Ruth Park, Ethel Turner, Dame Mary Gilmore ,Florence Baverstock, Dorothy McKellar and Eleanor Dark who left her home, ‘Varuna’ in Katoomba as a writers retreat and when I joined I sat next to Margaret Whitlam who was a very generous member.

Celebrating our Centenary . . .   Jan Conway former President, the 2024 recipient of the Di Yerbury Award and present  editor of Wome’s Ink , Libby Hathorn, Childrens writer and the creator of the animation for our centenary, yours truly and Nell Jones the 2025 recipient of the Di Yerbury Residency Award. 

To view the video and/or listen to the accompanying song separately, please visit our website: https://womenwritersnsw.org/…/our-centenary-animation…

Our Centenary Animation Video

Huge thanks to Libby Hathorn and Hamish Gilbert, and the SWW Centenary Committee as well as the other contributors and decision-makers who made this video and song possible.

To view the video and/or listen to the accompanying song separately, please visit our website: https://womenwritersnsw.org/news/our-centenary-animation-video

Celebrating our Centenary – 100 years  of the Society of Women Writers NSW. Libby Hathorn spoke passionately about the power of women’s creativeity and presented the animation of SWW’s 100 years. Richard Neville officially launched the start of the celebrations . Maria McDougall the coordinator of the 100 years warmly welcomed a packed audience.

Afterwards we retired to the new Rooftop Winery for Champagne and nibbles to toast the beginning of our year.