THE Writefree Women’s Group, which meets at the Katharine Susannah Prichard (KSP) Writers’ Centre in Greenmount, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with the launch of its latest anthology Lustre, on Sunday, October 25.

The KSP Writers’ Centre, founded in 1985, is the oldest writers’ centre of its kind in Australia and is located in the former home of Katharine Susannah Prichard at 11 Old York Road, Greenmount.

Katharine, born in Fiji in 1883 to Australian parents, spent time living in Melbourne and England, before settling into the house in Greenmount in 1920 with her war hero husband, Hugo ‘Jim’ Throssell, VC.

A prolific writer whose work also includes poetry, plays and short stories, she authored the acclaimed novels Coonardoo, Working Bullocks and The Goldfields Trilogy amongst others.

She was also known for being a co-founder of The Communist Party of Australia and was deeply committed to women’s causes throughout her life.

Her home is now a hub for both established and emerging writers of every genre, hosting residencies, writing groups, workshops and competitions.

The Writefree Women’s Group, founded in 1996, carries on Katharine’s legacy of encouraging female voices with members meeting every Wednesday morning to share their work.

Remarkably, one founding member, Jill Southgate, a writer and artist from Mundaring, still regularly attends and has contributed to all the group’s anthologies to date, from the first book The Journey, published in 1997 to this year’s Lustre.

She fondly remembers that first meeting with seven women seated around a cosy fire in what had been Katharine’s front room.

As well as contributing poems and short stories to the anthologies, she was the facilitator of the group for four years, including when it was featured on Channel Nine’s Postcards in 2006, and has provided the artwork for several of the anthology covers.

“Although members ebb and flow over the years, I still enjoy the stability of the group and can’t wait to get my Wednesday fix,” Mrs Southgate said.

Lustre, a collection of short stories and poetry, will be launched by Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil at the KSP Writers’ Centre on Sunday, October 25 at 1.45pm.

Anthologies can be purchased on the day at a cost of $20 each, but the event is free and includes readings from the book and a delicious afternoon tea.

For further information on writing groups at KSP or copies of the book please contact (08) 9294 1872 or office@kspwriterscentre.com