A Brief History

A Brief History of Camden Writers

This short essay has been compiled to tell the story of the foundation of the Camden Writers and Scribblers which later became known as The Camden Writers Inc. In around 1995 three people who liked writing, decided to form a small group and called themselves Camden Writers and Scribblers.

They met in a small room in the Camden Baptist Church in South Camden. Over time new members joined the group and the venue changed to ‘The Undercroft’ which is the basement of the Camden Civic Centre. Eventually the group moved to Narellan Library and after some shuffling between rooms to cope with the increased membership, eventually settled in the Redgum Room.

The group met twice a month, wrote their stories, read them out to the group, received critiques and were given help if they contemplated publishing. As a group they occasionally went on excursions to historic sites (a small bus was provided by Camden Council with a volunteer driver), had an annual dinner and a break-up party. Between 1995 and 2003 three anthologies were set-up, printed, bound and published commercially. Since then 17 anthologies have been produced, with only the last few being commercially printed. All issues have been edited and set up by the group.

All activities were low-key. We considered seeking a Council Small Grant in 2015 but as we were not incorporated we had to be auspicated by another organisation that was incorporated. This we did and were successful in gaining the grant to publish one issue of the anthology.

After incorporation in 2016 the first president was Sandra Hayman. She held the position for a short time but due to personal difficulties, Sandra resigned and left the group. The presidency fell into my lap. Peter Kiff was secretary at that time but his health deteriorated and he also left the group. Susannah Thompson was secretary for a term and at the next election, Jose’ Nodar became secretary. Jose’ was a keen worker and moved the Writers into cyberspace. After much work by Jose’, the Writers were awarded two Council grants, one in 2020 and one in 2021. The first was to try out ebooks, buy a computer, set up a web site and advertise.

The second, still current, is to produce two audio books, one in 2021 and one in 2022. In addition funds are available to have published authors visit us to talk about their successes. Our second audio book (the first in 2020 was a trial) was produced with Mr David Franklin, an Australian actor and readover person helping out. The first response to Jose’s advertising for a reader were ten overseas people but we felt that Australian money from an Australian Council for Australian writers should be given to an Australian. Further enquiries led to David.

What has the group produced over the last 26 years? In written terms, 20 anthologies, one magazine, four family histories, about 30 children’s books and four books of short stories.  In addition members have had stories in the NSW Government’s ‘Seniors Stories’ publication, articles in newspapers, write-ups in newspapers and success in competitions and eisteddfods. We produced ebooks in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and audio books in 2020 and 2021. Talks have been given to Lions, Probis and Fairfield Council’s Bonnyrigg Library branch. Three displays have been given at Council events.

During Covid the group had been sending out a Newsletter and homework assignments. Homework is still being conducted.

Not bad for a small group.

Evan Lepherd. 7th September, 2022

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