About Us

Are you a midnight scribbler? Do you have a pile of half written masterpieces that you just can't seem to finish? Well you are not alone and there is an answer to your problem. A writing group can help, support and encourage you in your writing and there's probably one close to you. If you are interested in joining Australia's oldest writing organisation then there are different options available. Click here for more details.

Our Mission

The Fellowship is unique in that established writers are committed to nurture and develop new writing talent – and everyone is welcome to join. There are now Fellowships in many state, with over thirty Branches in New South Wales, both in the country click here for a listing and also in the Sydney metropolitan click here for a listing.

Our history

John le Gay Brereton The Fellowship of Australian Writers was formed in Sydney in 1928 by a group including Mary Gilmore, Steel Rudd and John le Gay Brereton, prominent writers at the time. It was formed to try and help Australian Writers who were very poorly used at the time. John Le Gay Brereton (pictured left Image courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW ) was its first President. Read our history. The FAW was incorporated on 3 July 1991. In 2008 it celebrated its 80th birthday and is still developing regional groups to provide an organisation for people who enjoy writing.

famous former members

Pixie Harris Since the inauguration, some of Australia’s most acclaimed writers have passed through the ranks – including Miles Franklin, George Mackaness, Pixie O’Harris (pictured with one her illustrations), Dorothea Mackellar and Marjorie Barnard. One of the most important achievements of the Fellowship was the establishment of the Australian Society of Authors or ASA.

Constitution

The Fellowship unanimously passed its new Constitution at a Special Meeting on
August 6 2011. It was completed under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 - amended 2010.

Our new objectives are:

To foster and endorse the growth of Australian writing;
To promote excellence in writing;
To encourage writers, and those interested in writing, to join The Fellowship and enjoy the support, help and knowledge of members;
To expand The Fellowship across the State;
To provide an organisation to assist writers unable to attend Branch meetings;
To take The Fellowship into the 21st century and take advantage of technology and its new role in writing and publishing.

Public Fund

The Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc is included on the Register of Cultural Organisations which permits the FAW to issue tax deductible receipts for donations, which are then deposited in the Public Fund. These donations can be reclaimed by Regionals, when required, to be used for cultural purposes only.