Dorothy Porter Dies (10th Dec) - Such a Sad Day

Vale
Dorothy Porter died in Melbourne this morning of 10th December from complications due to cancer. She was 54. A writer at the height of her powers, Dorothy's most recent publication was EL DORADO, her fifth verse novel. It was shortlisted for the Dinny O'Hearn Poetry Prize (Age Book of the Year Award), the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, the Prime Minister's Literary Award for fiction, and Best Fiction in the Ned Kelly Awards and the Australian Book Review described it thus: …this mature and accomplished work…puts her at the top of the distinguished class of contemporary Australian poets when it comes to livres composés.Four months ago Dot was diagnosed with metastasized breast cancer. She has been in treatment since. She was very positive - and wanted to keep this to herself as she was sure she would defeat it. Unfortunately there have been complications and she was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago and ICU 10 days ago.Dorothy was the most passionate of people who gave her all to everything she engaged with. We cannot imagine the world without her.

I was fortunate to meet Dorothy when I invited her to the 2007 Perth Spring Poetry Festival. She gave a wonderful talk about her work & was so generous with her time. There was no hint of her being unwell. Three of us had a great conversation with her in the Art Gallery coffee shop. She was off to Africa after the festival and enthusiastic about her libretto being published as a movie. She talked about our own work, giving us tips, such as never give up!

Dorothy we will miss you!