Greens candidate: Geordie Williamson.
The Blue Mountains Greens have finalised their candidate line-up for September’s council elections with journalist and academic Geordie Williamson standing in Ward 2.
Although the party announced its candidates for the three other wards in May, it only selected Mr Williamson, the chief literary critic at The Australian newspaper, this month.
Mr Williamson studied law and English literature at the University of Sydney and University College London, and spent half a decade selling rare books and manuscripts in England before returning to Australia to make a full-time career out of writing.
He spent three years appearing weekly on ABC 702’s morning program and convened its monthly book club. He is also a regular presence on Radio National’s Books and Arts Daily program. He has taught at universities in Australia and the UK and is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of NSW’s Faculty of Arts.
“Geordie became interested in rare breed farm animals and sustainable agriculture while living on the Dorset-Devon border of England’s West Country,” the party said in a statement.
“He now lives in Woodford . . . with his wife and children, where he is attempting to put smallholding culture into practice on an acre and a half of land.
“Geordie’s interest in green issues has grown over the years and has resulted in substantial essays on the literature of climate change and writing about place.”