Dedicated to the stories of Queensland.
Queensland Writers Centre is a community that champions writers across Queensland. We help writers at all stages of their writing journey develop skills to improve their craft, engage their readers and build a sustainable career.
Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) is an innovative community arts organisation that supports, celebrates and showcases Queensland writers and writing in all its forms. We work with our members and partners to promote a vibrant and diverse writing community across Queensland. QWC works to uplift the practice, development and recognition of writers and develop a culture of writing, reading and creating.
As the leading support and resource centre for writing in Queensland, we offer a comprehensive online and in-person range of services. We provide information and advice for anyone interested in writing, whatever their level of experience or ambition.
QWC is part of the National Writers’ Centre Network – Australia’s largest network of writers. The network supports and connects writers in all the states and territories of Australia. Together we represent more than 10,000 members, and a far broader constituency of early career, emerging and established authors – across all genres, all styles and all parts of Australia.
Our members are published authors, emerging writers, young writers, children’s authors and illustrators, screenwriters, journalists, editors, agents, publishers, poets, storytellers, playwrights, cultural producers, freelance writers, teachers, academics, critics and community members seeking to include writing as part of their creative life.
Values
Diversity – We believe in creating opportunities for diverse voices and stories to be heard and celebrated.
Accessibility & Inclusivity – We are committed to ensuring our programs and services are accessible and inclusive.
Collaboration – We work collaboratively within the Queensland community — sharing our knowledge and expertise, being open to new ideas and contributing to and supporting our partners, stakeholders and the cultural sector.
Innovation – We think outside the box, work creatively, consider new options and markets, and connect writers with industry and the wider community.
Goals
Nurture the potential of writers at all levels of experience, ensuring First Nations people are represented, and create opportunities for writers, arts workers and the writing community.
Celebrate and showcase Queensland stories, storytellers and writing to strengthen Queensland communities through writing.
Engage with industry to promote writers, create new and innovative pathways to success and broaden access to writing as an inclusive and diverse activity.
Build on organisational resilience, through improved governance, diversified funding streams and broadening of our base.
Acknowledgement of Country
Queensland Writers Centre is based at the State Library of Queensland on Kurilpa Point in South Brisbane. Named for the native water rat (kuril), Kurilpa Point has a significant history as a meeting and storytelling place, and we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we reside. As we operate across Queensland and Australia, we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of all the Nations on which we meet and come together from, and pay respect to Elders past and present.
Beneath the Southern Cross
and the canopy of the rainforest along the riverbank,
the kuril, which still survives here,
dug out its nest, and left its tracks.They looked out over the river,
the ripples on its surface stirred by the wind and tidal surge,
and the fish swimming in the water
Lilla Watson, 2006
The past tells our story.
History
Queensland Writers Centre was officially opened in January 1990 and housed in a section of the old DPI building in William Street. Originally planned as part of Stage 5 of the Cultural Centre, a change of government resulted in the change of location. Things have now come full circle and QWC finds itself at home in State Library of Queensland, where it was always meant to be.
Founded by some of Australia’s most revered writers – including Thea Astley, Bruce Dawe, Geoffrey Dutton, David Malouf, Michael Noonan, Oodgeroo of the Tribe Noonuccal and Jill Shearer – Queensland Writers Centre is one of the largest and liveliest writing organisations in Australia. In our very first newsletter then Chair, Craig Munro, wrote about the importance of the Centre’s widespread base. He believed that no writing form should be excluded, and none given favoured status. The summary of our values remains today and continues to be at the core of our mission.
(Pictured: inaugural Executive Director Robyn Sheahan-Bright.)