The lives of two of the most influential people in Australian literature – Vance and Nettie Palmer – will be in the spotlight in Blackheath on Saturday, August 11.
Blue Mountains publisher Brandl & Schlesinger and Gleebooks Blackheath will host a literary afternoon tea about the couple at The George Boutique Hotel.
For nearly 40 years, between 1909 and the 1950s, Vance and Nettie Palmer were widely known through their books, newspaper reviews and articles and their broadcasts. They were prominent in debates about conscription, censorship, civil liberties and the rise of fascism in Europe.
Vance was a founder of the Fellowship of Australian Writers and was chairman of the Commonwealth Literary Fund’s advisory committee (1947–53).
Above all, through their published writings and their extensive correspondence, they championed the cause of Australian literature.
Brandl & Schlesinger has recently published a book of their courtship letters called Loving Words: Love Letters of Nettie & Vance Palmer edited by historian and Nettie Palmer biographer, Deborah Jordan. She will be in conversation with award-winning biographer and local author, Sylvia Martin, who has written a biography of the Palmer’ sdaughter, Ink in Her Veins: the Troubled Life of Aileen Palmer.
Aileen was a poet and political activist and a talented woman in her own right who, sadly, was slowly brought down by psychiatric illness.
The conversation between Deborah and Sylvia will be facilitated by another local award-winning author, Mark O’Flynn, author of The Last Days of Ava Langdon.
This event will be held on Saturday, August 11 at 2pm for a 2.30pm start at The George Boutique Hotel, 194 Great Western Highway, Blackheath. Cost is $20 ($17 concession) which includes afternoon tea. Bookings are essential through Gleebooks Blackheath 4787 6340 or email victoria@gleebooks.com.au.