Ultimately You're Dangerous: A Conversation

Abstract

THE CONVERSANTS:
REBECCA EDWARDS (b. 1969) a poet and visual artist who usually lives in
Brisbane but came to Townsville from August to October 1996 as Writer-in-
Residence at James Cook University's English Department (funded equally by
that Deçartment and the Australia Council's Literature Board). Mother of
one daughter.
ANNEKE SILVER (b. 1937) a visual artist who has lived in Townsville for over
thirty years where she works both as an artist and as leèturer in painting at
James Cook University's Department of Art & Design. Mother of two sons.
GINA MERCER (b. 1959) a writer of poetry, fiction, essays and reviews who has
lived in Townsville for seven years and lectures in literature, creative writing
and women's studies at James Cook University. Mother of one daughter.

This is an excerpt from a three-way conversation which took place on Gina's
back verandah in September 1996, accompanied by cups of tea, a platter of
fruit and a blue castello cheese which became more and more relaxed in the
heat. All three women had contributed ideas about focus topics for the
conversation in advance, the idea being to replace the usual interrogative
"interview" with a relaxed discussion.