Helen Garner

Helen Garner was inducted onto the Honour Roll for her influential writing.

Inducted:
2001
Category:
Honour Roll

Helen Garner was born in Geelong, Victoria, and educated at the Hermitage Gallery and the University of Melbourne. She first came to public notice as a teacher at Fitzroy High School in 1972 from where she was controversially dismissed for teaching sexual issues and using 'bad' language in the classroom. The school's loss was a gain for the world of literature and drama.

In the mid-70s Helen was involved with the Women's Theatre group and began writing for several prominent publications. Amongst others she wrote for the Melbourne Feminist Collection 1 and the Melbourne paper Vashti's Voice. Helen has written a number of successful novels including Children's Bach (1984), winner of the South Australian Premier Festival Award (1986). The short story collection Postcards from Surfers was published in 1985 and won the 1986 New South Wales Premier's Award. More recently, she has written several film scripts, including The Last Days of Chez Nous. Helen lives in Melbourne.

Jeanette Winterson, Sunday Times, wrote of Helen's work" - there is much to be discovered - Her situation and insights are ones that apply to us all. Lost love, broken hearts, tentative relationships and the compromises of life fuel her stories, but her abiding theme is life!"

Updated