As the announcement of the 2019 Writing WA Literary Lions Medal approaches, we are celebrating each of our three shortlisted candidates with these profiles – in the words of the people who nominated them.
GARY DE PIAZZI
SECRETARY, WA POETS INC
Gary first joined the WA Poets Inc (WAPI) committee over ten years ago in a voluntary and temporary capacity. Years later it would be fair to say that he is both a foundation stone and an unsung hero not just of WAPI but of the Western Australian poetry sector as a whole. Gary’s contribution to the sector has been significant, even crucial, but always behind the scenes. Throughout his hours and years of voluntary unpaid work for WAPI, Gary has guided the organisation from strength to strength, assisting WAPI in becoming the go-to group for all things pertaining to poetry in WA. It is due to his dedication and determination that WAPI has been able to provide Western Australian poets – both established and emerging – with opportunities to receive exposure; mentoring; and access to resources through performance and reading opportunities; workshops (either as participants or facilitators); and print and online publishing opportunities.