David Malouf: celebrating a life in letters

University of Queensland alumnus and Australian literary legend David Malouf is celebrating his 80th birthday – and UQ is hosting the party.

UQ’s School of English, Media Studies and Art History (EMSAH) is holding a series of literary events that acknowledge the major contribution Mr Malouf has made to the national and international world of letters and raise the profile of Queensland writing and literature, past and present.

The events will begin when Mr Malouf delivers the Samuel Brooks Lecture on Friday 6 June to be followed on 7 June by a day of lectures and conversations focusing on his major works and on Queensland writing.

The Saturday event will also feature a brunch where Mr Malouf will be in conversation with another internationally-recognised and much loved Queensland author, Janette Turner-Hospital.

EMSAH senior writing lecturer Bronwyn Lea said the events, which take place during Queensland Week, support the school’s goal to develop and foster cultural knowledge and creativity across all communities.

“David is one of Australia's finest writers and his 80^th birthday is a fitting milestone to celebrate his tremendous contribution to Australian poetry and fiction,” she said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for literature lovers to hear him lecture, and to be able to attend a brunch where he will be in conversation with Janette is quite simply something not to be missed.”

Saturday will also feature a special lecture on Mr Malouf’s work by Professor Ivor Indyk, Whitlam Professor in the Writing and Society Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney and there will also be a special symposium for teachers.

Internationally recognised as one of the world’s finest and most versatile contemporary writers, Mr Malouf graduated from UQ with honours in a Bachelor of Arts (English) in 1955 and is the University’s S.W. Brooks Fellow in English Literature for 2014.

Since his first collection of poetry in 1962, Mr Malouf has published novels, short stories, poetry, opera libretti and a play, and was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2011.

His novels include Johnno, An Imaginary Life and The Great World, which won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Prix Fémina Etranger (France) in 1991.

His short stories were published in one volume, The Complete Stories, in 2007, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Australian Prime Minister's Literary Award in 2008.

His latest book of poetry, Earth Hour, was published by UQP in March this year.

To be sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate Mr Malouf’s birthday and literary achievements, register here.

The two days of events will be supported by the Queensland Government as part of Queensland Week and hosted by the State Library.

MEDIA:  Gillian Ievers, 07 3346 1634, 0406510668, g.ievers@uq.edu.au

               Bronwyn Lea, 07 3365 2999, 0412 009 457, b.lea@uq.edu.au