Researching North Queensland Literature

Abstract

This paper was read at the Seminar on North Queensland Writing held by the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies (Townsville), August 2-3. 1980.

In researching the northern newspapers for the purpose of compiling a bibliography of North Queensland literature, one becomes aware of the interaction and co-operation of the earlier writers and their audience, up until about the 1950s, which constitutes a unique northern culture worth experiencing and preserving. Such a culture still exists, but the newspapers no longer provide
expression for it. I would like to initially support my argument for the value of North Queensland literature by quoting John K. Ewers from his article, "A Question of Standards." He claims that "It matters not one whit whether a novel, play or poem by an Australian lacks a world-wide audience. Its claim to value as a contribution to Australian literature lies in its literary merit pius its significance to Australian people." Mr Ewers reiterates his idea of the two basic criteria of value, insisting that "any national literature ... survives by similar dual standards. Literary merit is a first essential and significance to the people where such literature emerges follows not far behind it." ²