Skywriting

Skywriting – making radio waves is at once the captivating story of contemporary Australian cultural life and a personal biography of an acclaimed ‘radio poet’, whose signature radio features and documentaries on ABC RN have creatively conveyed ideas, personalities, and places. Timely and revelatory, it draws on the experiential riches of life in radio times from the youthful foment that rocked ABC airwaves in the 1970s until the advent of podcasting. 

Skywriting ventures beyond the institution and invisible theatre of radio to enchant the mind’s ear of readers with evocative portrayals and luminous portraits: chalking ‘Eternity’ on the midnight streets with artist Martin Sharp; examining the afterlife of poet Vicki Viidikas and photographer Carol Jerrems, artistic bright sparks of the author’s generation; to name just a few. It’s a love letter to the radio feature, a unique form of storytelling that has explored and contributed to shaping our culture, and whose story has not been told until now. Links are provided to downloadable companion audio.