Ruth Macaulay is already making plans in her new role of project officer for the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society.
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She returned to her hometown of Gunnedah in January after teaching English through theatre in Italy last year.
Ruth has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in dramatic arts and after graduating, she spent two years travelling throughout Australia with School Performance Tours, which promotes theatre in education.
Ruth is taking over the reins from long-term project officer Mila Stone who finished up in December 2016. She will oversee the Dorothea Mackellar Centre and coordinate and organise the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition.
“I’m looking forward to doing something different, particularly as the job has many aspects to it,” she said.
“There’s a lot involved… and I’m really excited about it.”
Ruth used to enter the competition when she was at school and is looking forward to encouraging others to do the same.
“I love the competition and I love poetry,” she said.
“I’m quite good at working with kids and I’m looking forward to going into schools to get them excited about poetry.
“I think I like their energy and passion and kids’ imagination, as well. That works so well with poetry, I think.”
In her first week, Ruth is learning the ropes from Mila and said she was nervous because it’s a new area for her but is glad to have an opportunity to grow her skills.
“I love getting to be creative in any job,” she said.
“I’m planning a few things already.”
Ruth said she was enjoying being back in the country after living in Sydney while she completed her degree at Wesley Insitute.
She grew up in Gunnedah and attended Gunnedah South Public School and Calrossy Anglican School.
“I love Gunnedah. I grew up here. It’s nice to be home,” she said.
“It’s nice to be back in the country.”
Entries for the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition open on March 1, with entries closing on June 30.
This year the primary categories of the competition will be judged by Leonie Tyle and Katherine Bateson. They are well known in children’s publishing.
The secondary categories will be judged by popular children's author James Roy.
In 2016, the competition attracted almost 12,000 entries in nine categories, including the multicultural NSW award.
“All the schools should get the kids to start entering the competition because it’s great,” Ruth said.
For more information, visit www.dorothea.com.au
