At a meeting in Katoomba on September 21st, facilitated by Blue Mountains City Council, an interim steering committee was formed to consider the means to establish an annual ‘Denis Kevans Poetry Award’. It is intended to ensure an inclusive and accountable process for supporters is established and maintained.
The committee considered ways to generate seed funding so that a capital amount, placed in an independent Trust Fund, can provide from annual interest an appropriate cash prize each year. However, there was also general agreement that the inaugural prize should, if possible, be awarded in September 2006 and in view of the timescale needed to build a capital fund, the first award may need to be a combination of an honorary award and some form of remuneration in kind.
It was agreed that the first priority is to create an appropriate administrative structure and enquiries are underway to examine the possible use of an existing BMCC Arts Trust Fund as the ultimate repository. Using this or an alternative Trust Fund will enable donations to be tax deductible in the longer term. In the meantime, a new bank account is to be established to receive initial pledges. Potential funding sources discussed included individual donations (initially matched by BMCC, with our grateful thanks) and donations from Trades Union and corporate sources.
If you would like to make a pledge or donation to support the creation of this Prize and honour Denis’s life, work and memory, please contact deniskevans@hotmail.com . Your support is warmly appreciated.
The next meeting of the interim steering committee will be held:
4pm, Friday 9th December 2005
Blue Mountain City Council Chambers
2-6 Civic Place, Katoomba
The meeting will be followed by dinner and drinks.
For more information contact Sophia - (0413) 986 336.