What is it?
The Rotunda Writers’ Garden is a group of people who come together to work on whatever writing projects they have.
However, this is not a “Writers’ Group”! It is not
exclusively for people who can already read and write. The “writing projects”
we will work on may be magazine articles, but we also regard school
homework, government forms, visa or job applications and emails as "writing projects".
The group includes people who need help and people who are
capable of providing it.
People who want to read and write better are welcome. They
can be at any stage of literacy development and almost any age. (We’re not
early childhood educators, so we’ve put a rough starting point at 5+ years.)
When is it?
Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6pm.
What do we do?
You come along with your project and we work on it together.
Really, anything?
Yes. We could run classes on “punctuation” or “how to format
letters” but that may mean we waste a lot of time speaking and you waste a lot
of time listening to stuff you already know or aren’t interested in, when
really what you need is someone to explain or help you achieve one specific
thing.
That’s what we want to do: simply help you do the thing you
need to do. If you’re struggling to fill out a form, bring in the form. If
you’ve got homework, you don’t need another class: you need to get your
homework done. We can help.
What do I need to bring?
We can’t provide computers, so if you need one you’ll have
to bring it. Otherwise, bring yourself and whatever it is you’re working on.
Other useful items include pens in two colours, a pencil, an eraser and paper.
Is it free?
Yes and no. We don’t charge anything. But we receive no
financial support from any government or private body. We want you to recognise
and respect the service we are offering and the space we are offering it in.
Exactly how you do this is up to you.
Do I need to make an appointment?
No. Just come. However, if you’re keen to talk to us
privately or have any other questions, call us at The Origins Centre on
9764-1109.
Who the hell are you anyway? Why are you doing this?
Lily and Tim are the new managers at The Origins Centre. We
happen to be passionate about writing and reading. We’re also keen to support
the local community and this is one way we can.
What’s in it for you?
Connection to community. The chance to do something good.
The chance to learn more about how to be a great teacher, writer and editor.
The chance to meet people. The chance to hear some amazing stories and empower
people to share them effectively. To meet some great writers whose talents are
hidden beneath or behind something (like not being able to write). The chance
to promote sharing stories, supporting literacy and just seeing what happens.
How are you qualified to offer this?
Tim is a qualified and registered high school English
teacher. He has an honours degree in English. He has written all his life and
his last play was performed at the Victorian Arts Centre in Melbourne. He loves
teaching but is taking time off to research and write.
Lily has degrees in history and linguistics and a
certificate in editing. She has done copy editing and on line content
management for schools, universities and large companies. Lily has been on the
board of the Back to Booktown festival of reading and writing. She is also a
yoga teacher and loves working with people.
How do I get there?
Walk. Ride a bike. Drive a car. The Origins Centre is about
1.8kms from the centre of Balingup, along Jayes Rd.
Is there parking?
Yes.
What do you expect from me?
Be nice. Come because you want help and because you want to
get something done.
Come in. Say hi. Have a project or some homework. Be ready
and willing to work on it. Work on it with us. Then either help others or go:
go home, go play, go have more time to do other things, relax.
We figure that if you have something you want to work on,
and we’re helping you do that, then you shouldn’t be bored or feel as if you
have nothing to do.
If you don’t have anything you’re working on, we’ll give you
something to work on! (We’ll get you writing magazine articles and proofreading
other people’s work! Check out mettamag.blogspot.com.au)
So is this an after school care program?
No. It isn’t. This is a place for people to come to get help
completing their reading and writing projects. We run a kindergarten on
Wednesdays, but once people have done their work it is expected that they’ll
either work on other projects, help others or head home. We’re not interested
in baby-sitting or classroom management, just in helping people read and write
better, and we feel like we can’t do too many things at once.
How can I show my support?
There are millions of ways, hey?
Come and join the garden.
Donate money.
Find us some new chairs, or laptops, so we can provide a
better service.
Bake a cake.
Check out Metta.magazine and consider contributing something
to the next edition.
If you know of others who might benefit from coming along,
tell them about us.
Think good thoughts.
Post something about us on Facebook.
Let us know if there are better ways or times that we can do
this work.
But mostly, just come and join the garden and help it grow.
I’d like to volunteer to help, what do I need to do?
Come along.
Speak to either Tim or Lily.
Have a valid working with children’s check or be a
registered teacher.
