Sydney Writers’ Walk to Expand, Honouring New literary Voices
Sydney’s celebrated Writers’ walk, a tribute to Australia’s literary heritage, is set for a major expansion stretching from the State Library to Walsh bay.The extension will add new plaques honouring notable authors, poets, playwrights, and potentially songwriters, to the existing pathway which began in 1991.
Originally conceived as an “ongoing thing, a necklace around the graceful neck of Sydney,” according to former Minister for the Arts Peter Collins, the Writers’ Walk initially featured luminaries like Charles Bean, Henry Lawson, May Gibbs, and Arthur Conan Doyle. The first iteration deliberately blended fiction and non-fiction, recognizing both established and visiting writers.
The expansion is being spearheaded by the State Library of NSW, in collaboration with the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and aims to reflect contemporary literary contributions alongside past figures. Potential additions currently under consideration include Nobel laureate Patrick White, Christina Stead, and contemporary authors Anna Funder, Markus Zusak, and Tara June Winch.Playwrights such as Nick Enright, Gwen Meredith, Kate Mulvaney, and Leah Purcell are also being evaluated.
“The written word… teaches, it builds empathy, it shares stories and knowlege across centuries and across cultures,” said NSW state Librarian Pauline Graham. “Extending and updating the Writers Walk is just one part of our strategy to support the writing and literature sector in NSW.”
Collins also suggested the possibility of including songwriters, stating, “I’d leave the door ajar to songwriters and, if that was the case, we’ve had many classic Australian songwriters worthy of consideration.”
the original walk sparked debate regarding omissions, and organizers anticipate a similar public discussion as the new list of inductees is finalized.
