Myfanwy Horne Explained

Myfanwy Horne
Birth Name:Myfanwy Gollan
Birth Date:1933 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Newcastle, New South Wales
Death Place:Sydney, Australia
Occupation:Journalist, writer, reviewer, and book editor
Language:English
Nationality:Australian
Alma Mater:University of Sydney
Genre:non-fiction, book reviews, social commentary, biography
Notableworks:Dying: a memoir (2007)
Spouse:Donald Horne
Children:2
Relatives:Ross Gollan (father)

Myfanwy Horne (23 July 1933 – 30 July 2013) was an Australian journalist, writer, reviewer and book editor.

Early life

Myfanwy Gollan was born in Newcastle on 23 July 1933 to Valmai (née Clack) and Ross Gollan, her father being a political journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald.[1] [2] Myfanwy attended Canberra Girls' Grammar School and completed her schooling at Sydney Girls' High School.[3] She graduated from the University of Sydney in 1951.[3]

Career

In 1953 Myfanwy Gollan joined The Sydney Morning Herald as a cadet journalist.[1] [3] She contributed to newspapers, magazines and books as a reviewer, columnist and social commentator.[1] Myfanwy met fellow writer Donald Horne at a party[4] thrown by Michael Baume in Kings Cross, Horne proposed a week later over dinner at the Chelsea, a restaurant in Kings Cross.[5] In 1960, after marrying Donald Horne,[6] she resigned from The Sydney Morning Herald as married women were restricted from occupying full-time positions at the newspaper.[3]

She continued to work as a freelance journalist using her maiden name, including writing a column, For the Consumer in The Observer magazine[3] as well as contributing essays, book reviews and restaurant reviews to various magazines and newspapers.[3]

A politically active citizen, Myfanwy organised Struggle for Democracy in Australia 1788-1977 a historical exhibition at the Sydney Town Hall in 1977. The exhibition focused on the human rights struggles of Aboriginal people and women and the freedom of the press and religion in Australia supporting the republican movement. Together with her husband Donald Horne she was active in the constitutional reform movements in Australia.[7]

Myfanwy took on the role of editor for Donald Horne, working on all of his books, including The Lucky Country.[3] She co-authored and edited his final book Dying: A Memoir, completing it after his death.[4]

Works

Personal life

Myfanwy and Donald Horne had two children, Julia and Nick.[2] Myfanwy died on 30 July 2013.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In Memory of Myfanwy Horne (1933 - 2013) Australian Society of Authors. Australian Society of Authors. 20 May 2016.
  2. Web site: Tributes - Myfanwy Horne. Sydney Morning Herald. 20 May 2016.
  3. News: Horne. Julia. Horne. Nick. Myfanwy Horne: Writer, editor helped foster national identity. 20 May 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. News: Donald Horne: As I lay dying. 6 June 2016. The Australian. 22 September 2007.
  5. Web site: Australian Biography: Donald Horne. National Film and Sound Archive. 20 February 2022.
  6. Davis. Glynn. The Endless Seminar. Griffin. Winter 2010. 28. 111–131.
  7. News: Visions of a civilised nation . . 67 . 21,069 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 19 December 1992 . 23 May 2016 . 26 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: New book about Sir John . . 51 . 14,598 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 February 1977 . 23 May 2016 . 3 . National Library of Australia.