Friday, 19 July 2024
PHIVE, Parramatta
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Thank you, Michael^[1] and Patricia^[2] for your words, and thank you Daisy^[3] for that wonderful reading.

I acknowledge the Dharug, the Traditional Owners pay my respects to their Elders, past, present, and future.   I extend that respect to the Elders from all parts of country from which you have travelled. In paying that respect, I pay tribute to the tradition of First Nations storytelling, which embodies culture and knowledge passed from generation to generation through the ages.

Councillor^[4], WestWords Executive Staff and supporters, friends, family, and, most importantly, the writers who have, literally, brought to life Living Stories 2024: Over the Line…?

The French Impressionist painter Edouard Manet is reputed to have said that “there are no lines in nature, only patches of colour one against the other.” It was Manet’s way of seeing the world, in an art movement that broke the strictures of classical painting up to that time.

Thinking about that made we wonder… what was the challenge WestWords was throwing out when it came up with the theme for this year’s Western Sydney Writing Prize – Over the Line? Was it meant to refer to an actual line: a line on a map; the finishing line for a race; the black line marking the lanes in a swimming pool? Or was it an invitation to ponder the metaphysical boundaries of life?

Which brings me back to Manet. He was speaking about his perception of his surrounds. In particular, Manet was letting it be known that he was not allowing himself to be restricted by the world as it was perceived by others.

There are many senses in which lines, real and metaphysical, define and confine our world. We have borders, which can be used to keep people out, and during COVID kept an entire nation in: we have boundaries – real ones like fence lines which define the extent of one’s property and give people a sense of security, or behavioural ones, which speak to acceptable and unacceptable conduct towards others.

The more one thinks about these things, the more tantalising this year’s theme becomes. WestWords hasn’t positioned the line in time or place – indeed, the line isn’t the story – it’s what over it which makes it all tantalising. But that in turn made me wonder… whether the point of the theme was to think about what is left behind, what are the lines of separation, what is unfamiliar, what is worth challenging, do young eyes look at their world differently as Manet looked at his world differently?

What is apparent from the stories this year is that in exploring their perceptions and perspectives of the world, the authors have moved from the introspection which is the inspiration for their stories to a dialogue with the world. This is why this competition is called Living Stories – it is creating a history in real time of the thoughts and experiences, the reality and the dreams of, and by, this very special community of Western Sydney – recognising its diversity, its energy, its sophistication, and its virtuosity.

Thank you, Michael and the team at WestWords for getting this year’s collection ‘over the line’, for not only showcasing authentic Western Sydney voices, but also for providing opportunities, through workshops and programs, to refine and expand their craft along the way, to amplify and carry their voices to broader – and very appreciative – audiences.

A special congratulations, also, to Michael for his top ten appearance in the Culture category of the recent Grant Burge 30 Australians Leaving their Mark Awards.^[5]

To the judges, although I envy your chance to read so much fantastic work, I do not envy the job of judging. Your time, your careful and patient consideration is much appreciated.

Most of all, to all submitting to this year’s Prize, to all those included in the 2024 anthology, to the overall winners and highly commended to be announced shortly:

The warmest of congratulations: thank you for drawing us together and sharing your stories, your truths, your worlds.

Keep writing, keep sharing, and keep inspiring others.

As Patron of WestWords, along with Dennis, it is again, this year, my honour and privilege to officially launch Living Stories 2024: Over the line…?

[1] Michael Campbell, Executive Director WestWords, MC

[2] Cr Patricia Prociv, Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta

[3] Daisy Galloway, 10-12yrs Highly Commended Prize 2023 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize, who will be reading their winning entry from last year.

[4] Cr Henry Green, City of Parramatta

[5] ‘”Truly Sensational Stories”: 30 Australians Leaving their Mark’, Guardian online, 3 April 2024, available here