What a surprise!

Several months ago I was nominated for the Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Award in the Sustained Contribution category for my work with WriteFest and the Young Oz Writers Creative Writing competition. It was a condition of the nomination that the person nominated had to give permission, and I was very touched that the nominator had thought of me, so I agreed. I also didn’t think I had the proverbial snowball’s chance in hell of winning 🙂

Imagine my shock when I received a letter informing me that I had been selected. Because the nomination had occurred in the months leading up to WriteFest I actually hadn’t looked into the award at all so then had to do some intensive research.

The award will be presented at the conference dinner during Junction 2010, the biennial national regional arts conference, to be held on Saturday 28 August in Launceston, Tasmania. I just hope the weather isn’t too cold – as a Queenslander I think anything below 10 degrees C is freezing.

I’m thrilled to have been selected, but only wish some of the other people who give me so much support with WriteFest could be included in the award.

On a different note, I’m beginning to think the fates are trying to put obstacles in my way of finishing writing MM&M. I’ve been called up for jury duty, and tomorrow have to front up at the district court to see if they want me. If they do, I’ll just have to chalk it up as a learning experience – I’m sure one of my future characters will end up on a jury some time 🙂

Ah, the possibilities …