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Betty Nicholson has
a special place in memory for the poets
in Tasmania. Several writers make reference
to her on this site:
- Robyn
Mathison in her speech launching
Liz Winfield's 'Too Much Happens
- Tim
Thorne in his speech launching
Eric Beach's 'Weeping for Lost
Babylon'
Her home at 52 Montagu St New Town became a symbol
of Betty's own warmth; the phrase, generosity
of spirit, is not enough to describe her
insistent, comfortable and mothering hospitality.
Her home was a hub and hearth for many
in the Hobart writing community and indeed
the Tasmanian writing community.
Literary occasions at 'Number
52' were always relaxed, cheerful. Robyn
Mathison's description of
her hospitality is so accurate. Betty's
large and fascinating home was well-known
as the venue for readings, workshops
and poetry masterclasses organised by
the Fellowship of Australian Writers
(Tas). It was frequently the venue for
book launches. It was often the venue
for talks by visiting political figures,
refugees. I am sure I am not aware of
half of what happened there, whom she
nurtured and protected. Someone from
somewhere fraught and far-flung was always
staying over. After her death, the hospitality
seemed to continue -- somehow people
still 'stayed over'.
New to Australia, I was invited by Betty to come along on to Number
52 on Saturday afternoons to read my work
with her friends. Accepting, I found myself
privileged to sit in on poetry readings
from her old friends Terri Moore, Vera Read and Norma
Knight -- sometimes daughter Karen
Knight. I regret not being able to spend more time there.
On one such occasion, Betty
produced a poem after a bit of a hunt
from the depths of a pocket, an astounding
poem, jotted down on the back of a shopping
docket. I hope someone has collected these
and that they will find their way to print
some time.
The house with its massive cyprus tree hedge and high wooden fence
are still there; the garden or what
I can see of it when I walk my dogs looks
as if it might still be the same but in
my imagination, the bee hive on the wide
verandah and the and the rambling garden
will remain untouched.
Something is missing without
Betty Nic.
Anne Kellas, April 2003.
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