The Hunter Writers Centre was established in 1995 and incorporated in 1998 as a resource centre for writers in Newcastle and the Hunter Region. We receive funding from a number of sources including ArtsNSW, Newcastle City Council and The University of Newcastle.
We support our membership via workshops, a regular newsletter, brokering mentorships and by providing a meeting space for writing groups.
In addition the HWC administers a number of community and cultural development projects throughout the year and coordinates the annual Newcastle Poetry Prize.
Our membership includes aspiring authors, experienced industry professionals and those who write simply for their own pleasure. We welcome anyone interested in writing, irrespective of genre, work method or spelling skills!
HWC BOARD
Greg Hall, Chair
During a twenty year career as a journalist Greg worked for News Corp and ABC Radio. He now runs his own film and TV production company and has just completed a privately-funded documentary about the Rothbury Riots called ‘Lockout‘ that was shown on the History Channel in mid-2007.
Catherine Baker
Cathy joined the Board in 2006, after discovering the HWC in 2005 via Litlink’s free consultations program. She is the author of a number of text books, and following a 20-year TAFE career, is now writing a biography of a colourful Queensland businessman. More recently she has bee researching content for the development of a Newcastle Writers Walk.
Maria Freij
Maria has a PhD in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the University of Newcastle and has a background in French, English, Arts, and Applied Linguistics. She works as a research assistant and lecturer at the University of Newcastle and her poetry has been published in several Australian journals.
Michael Graham, Treasurer
Michael is currently undertaking a Double Major Commerce Degree in Management Accounting and Financial Accounting at the University of Newcastle and has experience in general book keeping, taxation and many areas of cost and inventory accounting. Michael enjoys living an active life and is also the Honourable Secretary on the Board of the Society of Artists Newcastle Incorporated. At the moment Michael is writing an exciting piece dealing with personal story and memoir.
Alan Donaldson
Alan joined the board in 2009 and is the HWC’s member representative.
STAFF
Brian Joyce, Director
Since 1975 Brian has worked as an actor, theatre director, writer, production manager, arts admistrator and tutor. He has extensive experience in initiating community cultural development projects and developing new writers and writing. He continues to combine his role at the HWC with freelance theatre work and is presently doing a PhD at the University of Newcastle.
Katharine Gillett (née Aitken), Administrator, Newcastle Poetry Prize Coodinator
Katharine has a strong work history in creative writing and community publishing. She has a BA (Communications) and PhD (Creative Writing) from the University of Newcastle. While studying, Katharine assisted in the publication of a number of books and the organisation of writing festivals, including Critical Animals and the Art of the Real. In addition to her academic record, Katharine has been an active member of the Archipelago poetry group and Catchfire Press. Katharine is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Centre.
