On the weekend of the 7th and 8th of May Professor Don Gallagher, recently lauded by James Cook Uni with an Honorary Doctorate of letters for his 28 year contribution to the teaching of English literature, will be visiting Magnetic Island to lead a poetry workshop.

Professor Gallagher is a regarded as one of the world leading authorities on the works of British writer Evelyn Waugh – a subject he first studied more than 40 years ago.

“Don has taught in every area of English literature from Shakespeare to the present day,” said the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty, Professor Nola Alloway.

“He has published - and continues to publish - scholarly reviews and articles on such diverse subjects as military history, espionage, philosophy, religion, politics, women’s literature and Australian literature.”

“Don has also been intimately involved in the cultural life of Townsville for many years,” Professor Alloway said.

“Most conspicuously he has been Honorary Secretary of the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies and a judge of the Foundation’s Award for the best Australian book of the year; a champion and a member of the Board of the Festival of Chamber Music; and Chairman of the Board of, successively, Capricorn Line Theatre, Tropic Line Theatre, and Tropic Sun Theatre.

Magnetic Island Community Development Association President, Lorna Hempstead AM said, “Prof. Gallagher and his accomplished wife, Mary, will lead the workshop, exploring the many and varied types of poetry from around the world, and offering ideas on how to write and how to deliver!  Both have a wonderful sense of humour so it will be a great weekend of shared learning.”

The workshop is being held at All Seasons Resort, Mandalay Avenue, Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island. Sessions will be from about 10.15am to 4.30pm - and mainland participants can catch the 9.30am ferry from the Breakwater Terminal and the connecting bus up to All Seasons - we will not start sessions till you have arrived!
 
Cost is $20 for the 2 days of workshop. Register your interest with Dot Church by calling her on 4758 1404 or emailing dottydogood26@hotmail.com

Visitors wishing to stay on the Island for the workshop weekend are also eligible for special rates at All Seasons (4778 5200).

The workshop has funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Townsville City Council partnership to support local arts and culture and organised by the Performance Poetry of MICDA.