Centre for Australian Language and Literature Studies (CALLS) Yearbook No. 5

Abstract

In Australia and overseas, our identity is celebrated each year in our 'Yearbook' ... The 'Yearbook' is our best advertisement. The lizard, our logo, designed by David Evans, is memorable. In our lighter moments it seems to sum up the essential nature of CALLS: slinky and highly ornamental, we are thoroughly Australian and committed to fostering our Australian identity. Our title too sums up a lot. I was challenged by a prominent member last year to standardise the pronunciation. Should it be laconic and Australian (CALLS, rhyming with DRAWLS) or should it be short (rhyming with PALS) and sharp, like the bark of a native dog, or the cough of a distressed Koala? I'll settle for the laconic CALLS. That takes care of our identity for the time being, remembering that identity cannot be artificially constructed, but evolves from a sense of place, of time, and of the individual effort that goes into an organization such as ours. Identity needs space, time and creative evolution. Mention of place brings to mind our achievements in the region. Two regional conferences have not only brought our work to public attention, but have taught us much. Our first, at Kendall High School, took place in cyclonic rain. The attendance was poor, and we learned to be better prepared in future. With our second, in the historic township of Gulgong, we experienced the strength of that region's commitment to their history and literature. While Russell and Leonie started the ghosts of Louisa and Henry with their music, we encountered, in the Henry Lawson Centre, the ghosts of the past, in particular those of the young Nellie Melba, who performed there, and of Les Darcy, who fought his last Australian fight in the Gulgong Opera House.