Today, I found this Podcast on WritingWA with Glen Phillips, my mentor at University talking about Poetry and Painting. It was lovely to hear his voice again but I was astounded to hear him say he (unsuccessfully) tried Calligraphy but is now ‘too old’ to learn it! I have always admired his thirst for learning and ageless approach to life. A national treasure who still enthusiastically shares his love of words and art with so many at ‘just a couple of years off 90’.
Glen Phillips is such an interesting and supportive poet and painter who, apart from publishing more than 50 books, is one of the founding Professors at the ECU Landscape and Literature Centre. From the moment I met him as a nervous mature-aged student during a Creative Writing lecture at Edith Cowan University, I have basked in his support and sincere encouragement of all my writing endeavours.
This continued after my graduation during the early establishment of Peter Cowan Writers Centre, WritingWA, the first couple of Spring Poetry Festivals, writing the foreword for my first book of poetry and 3 years of monthly poetry meetings and book launches held during Poets Corner @ Pages Café in the Perth State Library.
Often hosting or as a revered guest, Glen shared his wonderful words with the public, novice and established poets. After my 14months in Ireland, his invaluable support whilst establishing a public arena for poetry in Perth at Pages Cafe, was always very much appreciated.
May I say thank you, Glen, (if you read this). I am most flattered to find you are using this photo from the PoetsCorner@PagesCafe days, on your website Host page. A lovely conscious link to wonderfully never-forgotten, creative and inspiring associations.
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