Inaugural PFLW Fellowship

Olivia Coates (left), Fiona Hardy (right)

Port Fairy kindergarten teacher, Olivia Coates, is our inaugural recipient of the Port Fairy Literary Weekend Writer's Fellowship.

Selected from a wide range of submissions from authors within the region, Olivia's work stood out to our selection panel for its originality, its sense of humour, and for the message behind her project. Olivia has previously published two beautiful children's picture books, Shadow Wall, and Rosie's Garden, and her working project will be for older children.

This Fellowship will provide Olivia with a mentor to work with her, provide guidance and career advice, and generally to be available to support Olivia over the next 12 months. Along with that support, Olivia will also have access to two fully-funded weeks in self-contained accomodation in the local area, to provide a space for her to focus on her project.

The mentor who we think matches Olivia's requirements well is the wonderful Fiona Hardy, author of many books, bookseller and all round champion of the literary scene! Fiona has come on board with this project with much enthusiasm, and we think they will be a perfect match! 

We wish Olivia all the best with this project, and thank Fiona very much for her role in this first fellowship. 

We would also like to take this moment to thank the Moyne Shire for providing the funding that has made this possible.