What a fantastic night it was (25th November) as we celebrated the final event for our 20th anniversary year with dinner for 55 ‘very well ‘turned-out’ members and friends who certainly dressed to impress at the Pavilion restaurant. There was no mistaking the ‘men in black’ who represented the Centre (thank you Keith and Pedro)! There was a terrific atmosphere with everyone relaxed and enjoying the good food, good company and a lovely walk down ‘memory lane, with slides (produced by Sophie and Nicole) of people and events past and present. The commentary for the evening was led by our Past President John McMullan as MC which was both humourous and informative; our Patron, Emeritus Professor Andrew Taylor and his wife flew in for the event and he was in fine form, having written a poem on the spot (to be shared shortly); Professor Glen Phillips recited the POME he had edited as part of the online continuous poem event, from earlier in the year. Susan Stevens (President) acknowledged a number of members who could not be present and read their kind greetings (Trudy Graham and Ena Taylor) along with the words chosen by Trudy Graham upon the opening of the Centre in 1998 (highlighted in the Newsletter produced for the evening). We were delighted to hear Sue Braghieri’s review of the WA Stages/PCWC joint venture that saw the conversion of 6 of Peter Cowan’s short stories to plays by some very accomplished member playwrights under the direction of Dramaturg Polly Low. Val Shaw (Gallery Co-ordinator and Artist) talked about the joint venture between Joondalup Art Gallery and PCWC in the production of art pieces inspired by members’ poetry and prose (currently on exhibit at the Joondalup Art Gallery. (see Events). Writer in residence Susan Midalia, did not disappoint with her thoughtful reflections on her time at the Centre, one on one consults, and the Writers’ Retreat weekend. She was extremely complimentary about the generosity of the volunteers who supported her during her stay.
Congratulations to our two new Honorary Life Members in Pedro Suarez and Gayle Malloy who have volunteered at the Centre for many years and worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Warm congratulations to our Members who have been with us for twenty years (John Dooley, Glen Phillips and Rashida Murphy) and to all of those members who received Membership awards for five, ten and fifteen years.
