Randell Cottage Writers' Residency
The Randell Cottage Writers' Trust was established in September 2001 to promote and foster the development of literature by establishing a writers' residency scheme and by awarding literary scholarships.
The Randell Cottage is located in the central city suburb of Thorndon, Wellington, within easy walking distance of Victoria University and the National and Turnbull Libraries. Built in 1867, it is believed to be one of Wellington's oldest and was gifted by the Price family (descendants of the original owners, William and Sarah Randell) in 2001 as a writers' residence.
It is now administered by a Trust chaired by David Underwood. Trustees include Dame Fiona Kidman, Professor Vincent O'Sullivan, Gillian Cameron, Susan Price, Jo Thorpe, Gordon Stewart, Jean Anderson and Anne Faulkner. The Trust works in partnership with the French Embassy in offering a residency each year to a French and a New Zealand writer.
It is the first dedicated writers' residency in Wellington and the first to be offered to international writers in the Southern Hemisphere. As such, it represents an exciting development for the city as well as for the nation as a whole. Each New Zealand recipient receives a $15,000 grant and and rent-free accommodation in the cottage for six months in order to undertake, research, develop or complete a literary project approved by the Trustees.
The inaugural NZ resident was Peter Wells whose memoir The Long Loop Home was awarded the 2002 Montana New Zealand Book Award for Biography. Peter completed his residency in June 2002, during which time he began to research and write his first historical novel.
French residents are funded and selected separately by the French Government. The first French writer was Nadine Ribault.
Current sponsors of the Randell Cottage Writers Trust include Creative New Zealand, Wellington City Council, Mission Hall Design Group and the French Embassy. The Trust continues to actively seeking further sponsorship and is about to launch a 'Friends' drive.
If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Randell Cottage Writers Trust, please write to: The Secretary, PO Box 11032, Wellington or send an email to randell@writerstrust.co.nz.
Current Resident
Beryl Fletcher was the 2006 Randell Cottage resident.
Applications are now sought for the 2007 residency, from 2 April to 28 September 2007.
Application forms are available by writing to The Secretary, PO Box 11-032, Wellington or by emailing randell@writerstrust.co.nz
Applications close on Friday 24 November 2006.
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