2023 WRITING COMPETITION ... Closing Soon ... Details here
Skip to content

Governance

Mission Statement

Port Writers aims to provide a comfortable, supportive and cooperative environment. Members are encouraged to share and practise their writing. Writers are supported to improve their literary knowledge and increase their realm of literary experience.

Aims and Objectives

Our purpose is to:

  • Encourage writers and those interested in writing to join Port Writers Inc.
  • Support members on their individual journeys.
  • Provide a comfortable environment catering for individual needs including those with a disability.
  • Provide presentations that are relevant and meaningful.
  • Include the membership in all important decision-making and changes
  • Notify the public of the endeavours of Port Writers through regular publicity

Committee

At our AGM each year, we elect a committee to keep things running smoothly.

Committee 2024/25 (as elected in August 2024)

President: Wendy Haynes
Vice President and Secretary: Kerry Wehlburg
Treasurer: Tom Penrose

Ordinary Members:
Marian Easterbrook
Lyndall Nairn
Gloria Buchanan
Kerry Buchanan
Susan Ash
Ken Brown

Patrons

Patrons play a key role in advancing the profile and aims of a writing group. Currently, Port Writers are reviewing this process.

We are honoured that talented writers Bessie Jennings and Laurie Barber became our inaugural patrons. A celebrated Poet and Teacher, Bessie published poetry and memoir as well as won and placed in numerous competitions. A journalist and editor, Laurie had a syndicated column of twenty years standing and published four books. Both sadly passed away in 2022. Each of these writers added enormous value to the writing community and Port Writers.

In 2022, Frank Urban accepted the role of Patron. Frank was a founding member of Port Writers, brought an incomparable breadth of life experience across many countries, published nonfiction and a memoir and frequently told a rollicking tale in few words. Frank also engineered our publication of the huge anthology, ‘Beyond the Three Brothers’ and was instrumental in not only the funding but the success of its sale and distribution. Frank passed in 2023.