Patronage and ABR

We have speculated in the past about literature’s relative slowness to foster the sort of cultural philanthropy that is a mainstay of art galleries, libraries, museums, symphony orchestras and theatre companies. Why this has been the case may be of interest to literary historians, but meanwhile ABR is keen to get on with the task of generating private support for the cause of good writing, independent critique and a lively intellectual climate.

Sponsors, advertisers, government ministries, the Australia Council and, above all, our loyal subscribers keep ABR in print, but our resources are miniscule by comparison with similar national literary reviews in Europe and North America.

In order to pay our writers better, to attract new ones, to introduce new features, to present additional and more lucrative prizes, and to contemplate extracurricular publishing projects and events, we need more money – simple as that. This support is crucial if we are to maximise ABR’s undoubted potential.

Accordingly, we have much pleasure in announcing the ABR Patrons’ Scheme, full details of which appear on the tear-off form inside the magazine. We encourage our readers – indeed, all passionate believers in literary values – to consider becoming founding ABR Patrons. This discerning cohort will have the satisfaction of knowing that its generosity will help to entrench and diversify the magazine for serious readers and writers.

So it’s over to you. The Editor, Peter Rose, is available to speak to you if you require more information about this important new programme. We shall list the founding ABR Patrons in the next issue.

Alexis Wright’s ‘full-throated eloquence’

Alexis Wright is the recipient of the 2008 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Carpentaria, published by the award-garnering Giramondo. Wright is the first indigenous Australian to receive the Award since Kim Scott’s Benang won in 2000. The judges’ decision will doubtless be a popular one; Carpentaria was highly praised by critics, including contributors to our ‘Best Books of 2006’ feature (December 2006–January 2007): Wright’s voice ‘crackles in a whisper one minute,’ wrote Nicholas Jose, ‘then bursts into full-throated eloquence the next, as she tells us story after story. Extraordinary invention combines with deep understanding, sharp and delicate detail and flashes of cheeky humour.’

Meanjin update

Much has happened since Advances became the first to report on the murky negotiations about the future of Meanjin. Where would the Sunday Age or Crikey.com have been without the increasingly heated and contradictory statements by opponents and supporters of the proposed transition of ownership to Melbourne University Publishing?

A certain calm has now descended on 131 Barry Street, Carlton, enabling Ian Britain to get back to editing the magazine, which he has done with distinction since 2001. The Sunday Age of June 17 reported that the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Glyn Davis, stated, ‘in a strongly worded email’, that ‘Meanjin is a journal of significance to the University of Melbourne, but judged the conduct of the parties being played out in the press and radio to be unsatisfactory … Until further consideration Meanjin will continue to be managed through the current corporate vehicle … The future of Meanjin will be reviewed in June 2008.’ The report also noted that the Vice-Chancellor had ‘sacked the board’, retaining only the Chair, Professor Kate Darian-Smith. The Editor will no longer serve on the board.

Unhappily for his many admirers, Dr Britain – whose publications include Once an Australian: Journeys with Barry Humphries, Clive James, Germaine Greer and Robert Hughes (1997) – has decided to leave Meanjin once the September issue has been published, in order to begin work on his biography of Donald Friend, a project that is expected to take several years.

Next stop in Adelaide

Last month, Adelaideans turned out in force for Hazel Rowley’s ABR/La Trobe University Annual Lecture, ‘The Ups, the Downs: My Life As a Biographer’, which we publish in this issue (page 29). The audience grew so vast on the night that our co-presenters, the Friends of the Barr Smith Library, had to move it a bigger lecture theatre, making this a truly ‘progressive lecture’.

John Hirst will be our guest at the next ABR event in Adelaide. This will be a joint undertaking with the Flinders University Library. Dr Hirst, recently retired from La Trobe University, will speak about his new book, The Australians: Insiders and Outsiders on the National Character since 1770 (Black Inc.). The venue is the Lecture Theatre, Institute Building, State Library, North Terrace. The date is Friday, August 10. This is a free event (with refreshments), and no bookings are required. Enquiries to Gillian Dooley on (08) 8201 5238 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Changes at ABR

Emeritus Professor Peter Steele has left the ABR board after more than a decade’s service. He leaves with our collective thanks and good wishes. We look forward to presenting works by this superb poet and essayist in future issues.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Starford has been promoted to Deputy Editor.

Next issue

Don’t forget, this is a double issue, one of two such we publish each year (the other will follow in December). The September issue will appear on the first of that month.