Sydney Cove Writers Walk Plaques : The Guide

Coming out of the Opera House into a brilliant sunny afternoon after a morning opera dress rehearsal, I wandered around the Quay before seeking refreshment at the Lord Nelson in the Rocks. I was fascinated by the many plaques and wondered who some of the people commemorated were and their connection to Australia, and how many plaques were there? This curiosity was the start of this guide. The original plaques numbered 49 and were dedicated on 19 February 1991 by The Hon Peter Collins MP, Minister for the Arts. On 24 October 2011, a further 11 plaques were unveiled to bring the total Writers Walk Plaques to 60. This excludes two other plaques, one dedicated to the 1991 opening and the other sponsored by Caltex commemorating the old tram shed that was on the site of the present Opera House. The Minister of the Arts, The Hon George Souris MP, when unveiling the additional plaques said, "these literary leaders have all made a significant contribution to our national identity and cultural landscape". I researched the backgrounds of the chosen few and have written a short piece on each of the 60 people commemorated. Those writings, the photographs and the facial outline drawings make up this guide that I hope you will enjoy. The numbering of the plaques was my own. Number 1 was given to Jessica Anderson's plaque sited at the Campbells Cove end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and the last number 60 to Ruth Park's plaque sited near the Sydney Opera House. For easy reading, the writing on each plaque is copied in bold font beneath each photograph throughout this guide. I hope that you will obtain as much pleasure from reading these cameos, as I did delving into the past of the many interesting people featured in this special set of plaques around Sydney Cove. ROGER CHERRYRotary Club of Sydney Cove