good news - regional arts development - funding approved

I heard earlier this week that my grant was approved and will be sent to council for ratification next week. A modest sum of $2,500 to assist me to complete my research and writing project on the Shoalwater area.

I plan a poetry cycle based on the environmental, political issues surrounding this area north of Yeppoon in Queensland. The Australian defence force utilise the area in conjunction with the American and the Singapore defence forces. Many locals use the beach as a roadway to the area, some use boats (only the defence force can use the roads in). Many birds and marine life visit the area for breeding or migration stop overs.

The military conduct live firing in the area. Many of the men who went to fight in the Vietnam conflict were trained in the area. Many men who have gone to serve in the current conflict have trained in the area. It is a beautiful place with a diverse and important environmental significance.

I am hoping to develop the poetry cycle informed by some specific issues that I'll explore and that the completed sequence will be included in my 2009 ms for Small Change Press .
As part of this project, I'll also be working on some poetry based on prints of the Shoalwater Series of paintings completed by Dieter Irving during his residency in the area.

I'm delighted that I'll get some financial assistance to develop this project. The Regional Arts Development Fund is the 'outside the city base' funding programme of Arts Queensland. Prior to the Queensland amalgamations the local partnership in our area was through Livingstone Shire. This is the first funding round since amalgamation. Great to get a little 'love' for a poetry project.