27 Aug Conference: ASALvets October 2019: The High Country
…The Alps loom
On the mind’s horizon, honed edge of snow
Between blue foothills and pool-blue sky.
From ‘Snow Holiday with Aunt’ by Jamie Grant.
14 – 18 October.
Many Australian poets have been inspired by the beauty of the Snowy Mountains and surrounding regions—from Banjo Paterson’s heroic ballad of the mountain rider, through Slessor’s vision of the Monaro plain in ‘South Country’, Douglas Stewart’s ‘Snowgum’, to Rosemary Dobson, Michael Dransfield, Philip Hodgins and many contemporary poets. Miles Franklin was born at Talbingo, and her novels and childhood memoirs are full of nostalgia for the high country. A.D. Hope was born in Cooma; David Campbell came from Adelong before settling on the land near Canberra. The region is also, of course, the setting for the legendary Snowy Mountains Scheme which has inspired more film and television than poetry. We invite ideas for papers on any aspect of writing about the high country of Australia, to be delivered at an ASALvets gathering in Thredbo in October. Please send abstracts (200-300 words) to [email protected]
The conference will be held at the Denman Hotel, Diggings Terrace, Thredbo: https://www.thedenman.com.au
From 14 October (Monday) to Friday midday 18t October. They have a range of rooms and bookings can be made directly to the Hotel on (02) 64576222, through their website or [email protected]
Draft Program:
Monday 14th October Afternoon arrival. Meet for drinks and meal at the Denman Hotel lounge 6pm.
Tuesday 15th October: Depending on the weather, trip to Mt Kosziusko by chairlift and walk. Late afternoon, 4-6pm two papers in the Library of the Denman. Dinner in the Village.
Wednesday 16th October: Circuit drive through Adaminaby/Kiandra /Khancoban/Thredbo. Visit to Adaminaby museum. Lunch on way, possibly farm at Berridale.
Thursday 17th October: Walk along the Thredbo River. Afternoon papers in the Denman Lounge. Conference dinner.
Friday 18th October: Leave by midday.