Several popular Australian authors will be guest speakers at a University of New England symposium that will pose the question: “Where do you think you are?”
Lisa Heidke, Angelo Loukakis and Sophie Masson will be the guests of the UNE-based research centre Arts New England for the full-day public symposium on Tuesday, November 15. The symposium will discuss the development of an Australian identity in and through writing.
Dr Jeremy Fisher, the UNE lecturer on writing practice and theory who is convening the symposium, said that it would “explore a range of ways in which Australian writing has evolved and is evolving”. Dr Fisher, a former Executive Director of the Australian Society of Authors, added that, within this literary evolution at a national level, regions such as New England had developed their own ‘distinctive voices’. “And here in New England, UNE has played a role in the development of that ‘voice’,” he said.
Dr Fisher said that all UNE staff members, UNE students, and members of the general public would be welcome to attend the symposium, but that they should – for catering purposes – notify the organisers of their plans to attend by an e-mail to artsadmin@une.edu.au.
The symposium will be in Lecture Theatre 3 in UNE’s Arts Building, starting at 9.30am and concluding at 4pm after a panel session in which Angelo Loukakis, Lisa Heidke and Sophie Masson will answer questions from the audience. Morning tea, a light lunch, and concluding drinks will be provided.
