We publish quality short stories, poetry, extracts from forthcoming novels, and articles and essays on topics of social, environmental and cultural significance.ISSUE NO. 109
WINTER 2007
EDITORIAL
Gina Mercer
This edition of Island is, I can say with all modesty, a prize edition.We take great pleasure in publishing the award-winning essays from the 2007 Wildcare Tasmania Nature Writing Prize. The three prizewinners selected for publication in this issue of Island provide a fascinating insight into the diversity of nature writing in Australia. They are poignant, informative, provocative works. This is a biennial competition. It is one well worth entering at a time when our natural world is so much part of our political present and uncertain future. So next time you contemplate a coral polyp, a pardalote or a possum - why not activate your pen and start writing for the 2009 competition?
In this edition we proudly present the award-winning poems from the 2006 Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize. These five poems are strong, intelligent, witty and beautifully crafted. They are testament to the depth of talent in the contemporary Australian poetry scene. May they act as a stimulus for you to make use of the Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize entry form enclosed (downloadable from our website at:http://www.islandmag.com).
As with all prizes - there is money involved in the running of competitions such as the Gwen Harwood. There is, of course, money involved in regularly bringing you the gift of ideas and creativity that is Island. We are grateful to all our existing subscribers, our casual readers and longterm Island enthusiasts. However we are always looking for fresh ways to develop our support base. Would you take a few moments to read the enclosed letter? It outlines a Premium subscription scheme. We do hope you will consider contributing to Island through this new initiative.
Island, PO Box 210, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7006 Australia
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E-mail: island.magazine@utas.edu.au