Ross Donlon is available for a variety of writing-related projects.
Teaching and Workshops
'Please accept this as a thank you for such a great workshop, morning and afternoon yesterday.
'Lyn has been coming to the group meetings for many years and has started writing poetry in the last 4 months. She was fascinated with the way you made us work and 'catch poems' as they passed before our eyes and even sometimes from our lips. Eileen, too, said it is the best workshop she has been to, including festival attendances. You left us with many ideas and some searching to do. The efficiency in the way you conducted the workshops meant we didn't waste any time with distractions.
'I have sent evaluation and acquittal forms to the Victorian Writers Centre stating the above response in detail, in answer to their questions … also sent some photos.'
Helene Castles, Secretary, Goulburn Valley Writers' Group Inc.
Ross (BA Hons, DipEd, Diploma of Professional Writing) is a qualified teacher of secondary and tertiary English, Literature, History, and Creative Writing. He has taught Professional Writing at Deakin and Melbourne Universities and has many years of teaching experience in secondary colleges.
With collaborator, Tric O'Heare, he has conducted poetry workshops for the Victorian Association of Teachers of English (VATE), the Melbourne Poets Union (MPU) and the Victorian Writers' Centre.
Writer in Residence
Ross has been a writer in residence at both city and regional secondary colleges, working with students to produce a high-quality literary journal and providing staff with professional development for creative writing classes.
In August 2011 Ross was writer in residence at Ålvik Art Centre (Kunstnarhuset Messen), Norway and will be returning in 2012. In July 2010 Ross was writer in residence at the Writer's Cottage, part of the Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart.
Pure Poetry
With director, Bronwyn Blaiklock, he is the poet mentor of the Pure Poetry program. Begun in Ballarat in 2008, this is a program that travels regional Victoria working with local poets to produce a final program of fine music and readings in the regional centre's art gallery.
Festival Consultant
Ross is a regular consultant for the biennial Castlemaine State Festival. In 2009 he compiled the literary program and acted as convenor, MC and performer. He assisted with the literary program for the 2011 Festival.
Poetry Readings
Since 2005 he has convened a popular monthly reading in Castlemaine which has hosted some of the most highly-regarded poets in Australia, including Dorothy Porter, Sarah Day, Michael Sharkey, Kevin Brophy, Jennifer Harrison, Ian McBryde, Robyn Rowland, Cate Kennedy, Louise Oxley, Myron Lysenko, Alex Skovron and many others, including a wide selection of regional Victorian poets. A vibrant open section competes for the Castlemaine Cup, as judged by the two poets who feature each month. Readings take place at the Guildford Hotel at 3 o'clock on the 4th Sunday of the month from February to December — mid week in December.
Bards on their Bikes
In 2010, award-winning poets, Ross Gillett, Tric O'Heare and Ross Donlon 'got on their bikes' and travelled around country Victoria during Poetry Week.
Ross as adviser, teacher, mentor, and more …
Ross is available for individual tuition, poetry workshops and as adviser and co-ordinator of poetry events.
Email Ross with your request.
