1940 - 2024

Marion Halligan was an Australian writer and novelist. She was born and educated in Newcastle, New South Wales, and worked as a school teacher and journalist before publishing her first short stories. She wrote twenty-three books, including six works of non-fiction and five short story collections, and one play.

Marion was a founding member of a group of women writers based in Canberra known as the “Canberra Seven” or "Seven Writers". The group began with three members in 1980, growing to seven by 1984. In addition to Marion Halligan, they were Dorothy Johnston, Margaret Barbalet, Sara Dowse, Suzanne Edgar, Marian Eldridge and Dorothy Horsfield. The group essentially disbanded after Marian Eldridge's death in 1997. However, before that they met regularly to critique each other's work, and published a book of short stories called Canberra Tales in 1988. The colourful MARION graphic used across our collateral is an acknowledgment of this important group of tenacious, talented writers. The form is divided into seven; one for each member of the group.

Marion served as chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and the Australian National Word Festival. In 2006 she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM), General Division, for services to literature and for her work in promoting Australian writing.

Vale Marion Halligan

1920–2012

Rosemary Dobson (1920–2012) was one of Australia's most distinguished poets, renowned for her precise and evocative verse that explored themes of nature, art, and human experience. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she authored 14 volumes of poetry, including The Ship of Ice and Collected Poems. Dobson also worked as an editor, anthologist, and translator, broadening the reach of poetry in Australia.

She received numerous prestigious awards, including the Patrick White Award, the Christopher Brennan Award, and the New South Wales Premier’s Prize for Poetry. In 1987, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her contributions to Australian literature.

In addition to her literary achievements, Dobson played a pivotal role in supporting emerging writers as a patron of the ACT Writers Centre, fostering creativity and engagement within the Canberra literary community. Her legacy continues to influence and inspire poets and readers alike.

Dobson’s poetry remains a testament to her keen intellect and artistic vision, blending timeless themes with an acute awareness of the world’s beauty and fragility. As a mentor and advocate for Australian literature, she left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural landscape.