Hunter Writers’ Centre has been awarded a 4-Year Multi-year funding from Create NSW in the state funding body’s latest round of organisational funding, announced yesterday. The grant of $120,000 per annum will be used to strengthen the 30-year-old non-profit organisation’s work of supporting Hunter region writers and storytellers through an expanding range of annual workshops, events, residencies, fellowships, awards, publications and collaborative projects. 

‘Storytelling is a vital form of human cultural and self-expression. Stories shape our identity, our relationships, and the way we relate to the world around us,’ said Katherine McLean, Hunter Writers’ Centre director. ‘This investment from the NSW state government is a powerful vote of confidence—not just in our vision, but in the writers, artists, and communities we serve.’

Since its foundation in 1998, the Hunter Writers’ Centre has focused on serving and growing Hunter writers and storytellers. Known nationally for awards such as the prestigious Newcastle Poetry Prize, Newcastle Short Story Award and the community-driven Grieve Project, the organisation also runs Lighthouse Arts at the Whibayganba-Nobbys lighthouse precinct, offering artist residencies. 

In 2025, Hunter Writers’ Centre expanded its core staffing team and launched its first seasonal program, with online and in-person workshops, member and trade events, free write-in sessions and more. 

Says McLean: ‘In highly competitive funding round, this support places Hunter Writers’ Centre among a select group of organisations recognised for their contribution to NSW’s creative life. It is a tough environment for the arts, and this kind of long-term investment is hard-won. We celebrate the opportunity it gives us to strengthen our base, deepen our work, and grow across the region and beyond.’

McLean also acknowledged that, while crucial, the funding doesn’t cover everything the Centre had hoped for: ‘We remain a small, not-for-profit arts organisation with limited resources, and we are grateful to our partners and donors who bridge that gap. Above all, we are grateful to our writers, artists and communities. We do this work together.’

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For further media enquiries, please contact:

Katherine McLean                                       Rosemary Ponnekanti

Director                                                          Communications Coordinator

0435 858 145                                                 0478 247 065 communications@hunterwriterscentre.org