The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are run by a dynamic group of people dedicated to the promotion of Dorothea and her works, and the national poetry competition named in her honour.
Headed by our President, the committee of 8 including 2 representatives from Gunnedah Shire Council, works with Brittany Riley, our new Project Officer. Brittany is at the end of the phone answering your questions and ensuring that the competition runs smoothly and professionally from start to finish.
Meet the President/Public Officer – Pip Murray
Pip Murray has been a long-serving member of the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society and served as President of the Society in previous years. With a background in journalism and a former magazine editor, Pip has a wealth of knowledge and appreciation of the arts.
She's an advocate for Dorothea's legacy and has described the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards as a "way of fostering and encouraging poetry and creative writing among school children as well as a love of country."
We're very lucky to have such an experienced woman as spokesperson for our cause, and of course for Dorothea and her immortal poetry.
Meet the Vice-President/Community Member – Shirley Urquhart
Shirley Urquhart is also a long-serving member of the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society. She is an award-winning visual artist and school teacher with a passion for poetry and art.
Shirley is a delight to be around and is an avid spokesperson for Dorothea Mackellar's legacy. We love having Shirley on the Committee and value her insight and country wisdom.
Meet the Secretary/Council Representative – Cr. Owen Hasler
Formerly a Head Teacher of History for three decades at Gunnedah High School, Councillor Hasler has been the Gunnedah Shire Council representative on the DMMS Executive since 2016.
Councillor Hasler was the Gunnedah Shire Mayor from 2012-2016 and has been a long-term supporter of the Society. During the 1980’s, he worked with his former Councillor colleague and founder of the Society, Mikie Maas, in promoting our beloved poetry competition.
Councillor Hasler says that Mikie Maas (1923-2011) would be very proud of the continued growth and reputation of the national poetry competition conducted from its home, the Mackellar Centre, in Gunnedah.
Meet the Treasurer – Cheryl Hofman
Cheryl is in her third year as Treasurer of DMMS and is a practicing accountant in Gunnedah. Growing up in the Upper Hunter NSW, she was raised with a love of poetry being and participated in local eisteddfods, poetry competitions and often recited “Banjo” Patterson to her dad and sisters.
She moved to Gunnedah in 2013 with her partner and kids and was delighted to discover that Dorothea had used the local landscape to inspire poetry that she had fallen in love with; going on to say, "Gunnedah is a wonderful community with so much to offer and I am pleased to be a part of it."
We're very fortunate to have her financial expertise on our Committee.
Meet the Project Officer – Brittany Riley
Brittany is a homegrown Gunnedah girl with a passion for writing and the arts.
She self-published her de
but YA urban fantasy novel, Enchantment, in the U.S in 2016 at just twenty-two. Amongst writing the other books in the series, she's working on a number of other creative projects and is studying writing and screenwriting through the University of New England.
When she's not in front of her computer screen, she's drinking coffee or admiring her beautiful cats.
Contact her with any queries about the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards.
Meet our two Council representatives
Cr Owen Hasler
Formerly a Head Teacher of History for three decades at Gunnedah High School, Councillor Hasler has been the Gunnedah Shire Council representative on the DMMS Executive since 2016.
Councillor Hasler was the Gunnedah Shire Mayor from 2012-2016 and has been a long-term supporter of the Society. During the 1980’s, he worked with his former Councillor colleague and founder of the Society, Mikie Maas, in promoting our beloved poetry competition.
Councillor Hasler says that Mikie Maas (1923-2011) would be very proud of the continued growth and reputation of the national poetry competition conducted from its home, the Mackellar Centre, in Gunnedah.
Lauren Mackley
Lauren Mackley is Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society’s Gunnedah Shire Council representative, in her role as Arts and Cultural Officer. Lauren studied Contemporary Arts and Secondary Education at Southern Cross University and in her role; she coordinates and delivers numerous cultural enrichment opportunities within the Gunnedah Shire, including exhibitions, community events, presentations and awards ceremonies.
Our awesome Membership Secretary – Jenny Darley
Taking on the role in 2019, Jenny has been associated with the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society for many years. She is a valued community member and a vital part of our Presentation Day. We're so excited to have her on the Committee again!