For the Western Union Writers (WUW), turning 40 earlier this year was received as more of a milestone to embrace than a number to dread.
Since first putting pens to paper and minds together in 1985, the group has become one of the longest continuous writing groups in the country.
Considering the founders of the group, Kip Chauli, Bronwen Hickman and Helen Cerne are still active as treasurer, secretary, and coordinator, they might be one of the most consistent, too.
Given they have been working their craft by each other’s side for 40 years, you wouldn’t bet against the quality of their new anthology called Mind and Heart that was launched on 22 November.
The group is open to all fiction and non-fiction writers–poets, prose writers, novelists, historians, biographers, published, new and young writers.
Which probably explains why some of its members have become commissioned historians, tutors or academics, professional writers, playwrights, publishers, editors and featured in writers’ festivals across the country.
Since their inception they have been involved with, assisted and organised writing events as part of major local events like the former Weerama Festival.
Members enjoy sharing their writing, storytelling and poetry with wine, cheese and laughter usually on the second Friday night of the month.
Certainly in no hurry to close this chapter in Wyndham’s literary history, the group welcomes anyone interested in literature and writing— whether fiction or non-fiction.
The group expressed their thanks to Wyndham council for cultural community grants across the years that have supported workshops, anthologies, local writing events and readings to take place.
Copies of the book are $20, for more email jamragg@optusnet.com.au
