Varuna - The Writers House

Varuna Alumni is the special community of writers and writing professionals who have at any stage since 1990 benefited from the generous gift of Mick Dark and have been selected to work at Varuna on fellowships or writing programs.

Writing is an occupation or a destiny that cries out for community. So many writers who have worked at Varuna have reported to us that it's the sense of community that continues to fuel their feeling for writing often for years after their stay with us.

A major aspect of the gift of Varuna has been the many friendships and professional associations that have developed among writers. It's good to think and speak of Varuna as a community of writers.

The Varuna Alumni Association builds that loose affiliation into a professional structure.

The Alumni Association is your opportunity to create a firm foundation for the Varuna community of writers, and to sustain the expanding work of Varuna across Australia.

You are eligible to become a member of the Varuna Alumni if you have at any time:

Varuna Alumni is based on voluntary action for the common good. It follows the tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life and central to the philosophy and history of Varuna.

The annual Alumni Association fee at $110 per year (includes GST), renewable each June 30th / December 30th.

If you would like to support Varuna's continuing work through a further donation, that donation will be tax deductible - and put to thoroughly good use!

We are in the early stages of a program with immense possibilities of expansion. The program's growth will reflect the enthusiasm and commitment of the Varuna community of writers.

If you see the benefits and opportunities of the Alumni Association, and wish to join, please contact Madeleine Dignam at Varuna 02 4782 5674 or by email at madeleine@varuna.com.au for more information.

The Alumni Community Website allows you to be connected to a community of fellow writers and has been put together by writers for writers. We have left issues such as publishing to others (like the ASA) and focus on the writer's craft and the writing life. The site is designed to be a positive, funny, inspiring place for Alumni to turn when you need a literary pick-me-up. It's a place to find support and offer it to others who share the Varuna community spirit.

The site includes profiles of Varuna Alumni, current news and events, information on Alumni book releases and members in the spotlight – in the media, at events and prizes etc. The site also includes reviews, short stories and columns of Alumni writings, as well as a writers toolbox, online interviews and lots of other great resources. The Alumni Community Website allows you to be connected to a community of fellow writers. Alumni members are sent a monthly email to alerting you to new stuff on the site and Alumni can also be engaged with adding ideas and updates to the site.

If you see the benefits and opportunities of the Alumni Association, and wish to join, please contact Madeleine Dignam at Varuna 02 4782 5674 or by email at madeleine@varuna.com.au for more information.

Varuna Writers' Retreat and Literary Centre is located in the heart of the Blue Mountains and is owned and managed by the Eleanor Dark Foundation Ltd. ABN: 12 003 806 371. This site is copyright Eleanor Dark Foundation Ltd.



						Varuna - The Writers' House Varuna Alumni

				Varuna Alumni is the special community of writers and writing professionals who have at any stage since 1990 benefited from the generous gift of Mick Dark and have been selected to work at Varuna on fellowships or writing programs. Writing is an occupation or a destiny that cries out for community. So many writers who have worked at Varuna have reported to us that it's the sense of community that continues to fuel their feeling for writing often for years after their stay with us. A major aspect of the gift of Varuna has been the many friendships and professional associations that have developed among writers. It's good to think and speak of Varuna as a community of writers. The Varuna Alumni Association builds that loose affiliation into a professional structure. The Alumni Association is your opportunity to create a firm foundation for the Varuna community of writers, and to sustain the expanding work of Varuna across Australia. You are eligible to become a member of the Varuna Alumni if you have at any time: Been selected for a Varuna Fellowship (Flagship, Retreat, Playworks, CAL). Been selected for a HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development editorial workshop. Been selected for a Pathways to Publication Masterclass (formerly Varuna Awards Residential Masterclass). Been selected for the Macquarie Group Foundation LongLines program (Masterclass, Residency, Indigenous Writers, Non-Residential Mentorship, Community Residency, Young & Emerging Program) Undertaken a Varuna Professional Development Residency (formerly Creative Director’s Masterclass) Participated as a mentor Made a significant contribution to or had significant involvement with Varuna - as determined by the Board Go To: Philosophy Purpose Benefits Fees Alumni Application Forms Alumni Exchange Awards Alumni Community Website PHILOSOPHY Varuna Alumni is based on voluntary action for the common good. It follows the tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life and central to the philosophy and history of Varuna. PURPOSE The purpose of the Varuna Alumni is to: Establish a community of Varuna writers. Support Varuna's essential operations and expanding programs. Create opportunities for Alumni to support LongLines - Varuna's program for writers who are not from the metropolitan areas of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Create and support a program of International Exchanges. Engage Alumni actively in the directions of the Varuna creative program by involvement with selection panels and State and Territory representation. Half of Alumni fees each year will support Varuna's Capital Works Fund so that the house continues to provide a safe, well maintained and nurturing place to stay. This will also allow us to update facilities and resources in the house for use of writers during their stay at Varuna. ALUMNI BENEFITS Membership of the Alumni Association brings the following benefits: Your membership allows you to make a contribution to Varuna and to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the facilities for Australian writers. Connection to a community of fellow writers through the Varuna Alumni website, which is open to Alumni only. The opportunity to be awarded a Varuna international writing residency. There will be two international residencies offered in 2008. An Alumni discount to almost half the normal weekly rate (from $790 to $475) on non-fellowhip residencies. Opportunities for paid consultancy work on Varuna's extensive community writing programs, such as LongLines and LitLink. Professional development opportunities (unpaid or "payment in kind" work), including involvement on selection panels for Varuna's creative programs and liaising between State and Territory writers' centres and Varuna. Alumni e-Newsletter (monthly). Exemption from application fees when applying for Varuna programs - including Fellowships, Varuna Awards and LongLines/LitLink. FEES The Alumni Association is wholly in the service of the community of writers. Funding will come from Alumni Association fees. The annual Alumni Association fee at $110 per year (includes GST), renewable each June 30th / December 30th. If you would like to support Varuna's continuing work through a further donation, that donation will be tax deductible - and put to thoroughly good use! We are in the early stages of a program with immense possibilities of expansion. The program's growth will reflect the enthusiasm and commitment of the Varuna community of writers. If you see the benefits and opportunities of the Alumni Association, and wish to join, please contact Madeleine Dignam at Varuna 02 4782 5674 or by email at madeleine@varuna.com.au for more information. An application form for new members can be accessed here. A renewal form for existing Alumni members can be accessed here. ALUMNI EXCHANGE AWARDS Alumni fees will wholly support international exchanges. At present we are able to offer two international exchanges per year. Exchanges of between 2 and 4 weeks at a recognised cultural institution. Airfares will be paid from alumni fees. The airfare will be based on economy flights at low season rates up to $2500. (Please note: approval for expenditure must be obtained from Varuna prior to commitment) Accommodation will be provided by the host organisation. All alumni are equal - selection for international exchanges is by lottery. Those awarded international exchanges will not be eligible to re-enter the lottery for the next three rounds. Expatriate alumni are eligible for the exchange fellowship to be taken at Varuna. ALUMNI COMMUNITY WEBSITE The Alumni Community Website allows you to be connected to a community of fellow writers and has been put together by writers for writers. We have left issues such as publishing to others (like the ASA) and focus on the writer's craft and the writing life. The site is designed to be a positive, funny, inspiring place for Alumni to turn when you need a literary pick-me-up. It's a place to find support and offer it to others who share the Varuna community spirit. The site includes profiles of Varuna Alumni, current news and events, information on Alumni book releases and members in the spotlight – in the media, at events and prizes etc. The site also includes reviews, short stories and columns of Alumni writings, as well as a writers toolbox, online interviews and lots of other great resources. The Alumni Community Website allows you to be connected to a community of fellow writers. Alumni members are sent a monthly email to alerting you to new stuff on the site and Alumni can also be engaged with adding ideas and updates to the site. Alumni members can access the Alumni Community Website here. (The Alumni website will open in a new browser window) If you see the benefits and opportunities of the Alumni Association, and wish to join, please contact Madeleine Dignam at Varuna 02 4782 5674 or by email at madeleine@varuna.com.au for more information. CONTACTING THE WRITERS' HOUSE 141 Cascade St, Katoomba, NSW 2780, Australia Telephone: (02) 4782 5674 - International callers: +61 2 47 82 5674 Fax: (02) 4782 6220 - International faxes: +61 2 47 82 6220 Email: varuna@varuna.com.au - click here to email Varuna [Home][What we Offer to Writers][Supporting Varuna][News and Diary][Links for Writers] [Staying at Varuna][Varuna Alumni][Site Guide][Contacting Varuna] Varuna Writers' Retreat and Literary Centre is located in the heart of the Blue Mountains and is owned and managed by the Eleanor Dark Foundation Ltd. ABN: 12 003 806 371. This site is copyright Eleanor Dark Foundation Ltd. Site most recently updated 12 June, 2008. Acknowledgements: Site by Anderson Web Design Woodcuts by Irene Coates