Tony Birch named third Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature
Tony Birch has been appointed the third Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne. Image supplied.
Award-winning author Tony Birch has been appointed the third Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne.
The Boisbouvier Chair was established in 2015 at the University of Melbourne and plays a crucial role in advancing the teaching and public appreciation of Australian Literature.
Tony Birch is an acclaimed local First Nations author of four novels, including The White Girl and Ghost River, two books of poetry and three short story collections. Most recently his short story collection Dark as Last Night won the New South Wales Premier's Award Christina Stead Prize for fiction, the Queensland Literary Award Steele Rudd prize and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's literary prize. He has previously been awarded the Patrick White Literary Award for his contribution to Australian literature.
“This position will allow me to do work that really does extend my interest in promoting Australian writing, particularly amongst younger people,” said Tony, who also works as an educator.
Tony Birch will be the third to take up the mantle previously held by two other literary greats, Richard Flanagan and Alexis Wright.
“To follow after Alexis is an incredible privilege. And she sets the bar very high for outcomes,” he said.
The Boisbouvier Chair was founded with a generous $5 million donation from Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie and John Wylie AM. Through the Chair, the University of Melbourne has a key voice in national conversations about the advancement of Australian literature, and strengthens its longstanding relationship with State Library Victoria.
CEO of the State Library Paul Duldig said he is thrilled about the appointment.
“Tony Birch is one of Australia’s great storytellers, and the Library is excited to be in collaboration with him and the University of Melbourne,” said Duldig.
“Tony’s deep creativity and unique voice are invaluable to our national conversations about Australian literature, history, culture and politics. I have no doubt that he will build on the great work done by his Boisbouvier Chair predecessors, Richard Flanagan and Alexis Wright, and I look forward to seeing what new directions he will take us in.”
Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne The Reverend Professor Russell Goulbourne said Tony has already done a lot for the advancement of Australian literature.
“Tony Birch is a seminal voice in Australian letters, with roots in Melbourne, who has already accomplished a great deal in championing local writing and advancing literary education,” he said.
“I look forward to supporting him as he continues to provoke conversations about the value of public Australian literature, further enhancing Melbourne’s standing as a UNESCO City of Literature.”
The position will see Tony Birch work closely with the Faculty of Arts and State Library Victoria to deliver a series of public talks, as well as school outreach programs and a number of special projects. One of these projects includes a collaboration with major cultural institutions on the promotion of a series of First Nations classic texts being published through the University of Queensland Press. Birch will also work closely with the Melbourne Writers Festival to promote Australian writing, including First Nations authors.
Tony will also deliver a 2023 Masterclass on Kim Scott’s Benang: From the Heart as part of the University of Melbourne's 2023 10 Great Books program.