Galle, Sri Lanka -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/26/2013 -- Wright is a short story writer whose parents migrated from Sri Lanka to Australia in the early 1960s.
Wright has researched the country’s history for several years but has not been back to Sri Lanka since 1992. She will use her time in Sri Lanka to work on a series of short stories based in the country. Two of the stories are set in and around Galle in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, where the residency will take place.
“The backdrop to the stories includes the social and political transition from British colonial rule, the working conditions of contracted plantation workers on tea and rubber plantations under the British, the demonstrations of May Day 1937 and the independence movement,” said Wright.
One of these short stories, ‘Keeping Tabs,’ was shortlisted for The Age Short Story Award in 2011. Wright went on to win The Age Short Story Award in 2012 with ‘Maggot’.
“My time spent at Templeberg will not only allow me to continue writing these short stories, but to visit several places which serve as settings and to interview key experts in the traditional arts and crafts carried out by several of the characters,” Wright said.
“I'm so thrilled and honoured to have been chosen. It'll be such an incredible opportunity to really have some serious time to give to my writing,” she said.
The residency attracted high-quality applications from writers from all over Australia.
“We were delighted to see such a high calibre of applications. We believe Michelle is an ideal first Fellow and will be an inspiration for other writers in Australia and Sri Lanka. We will continue to grow the Fellowship and hope to see many more aspiring applicants next year,” said owner of Templeberg Villa Christopher Shields.
“It was my knowledge of living and writing in Sri Lanka for 33 years that made me believe Michelle Wright would be the best to benefit usefully from the Fellowship and would find the Templeberg characters and location ideal for developing her stories,” said Fellowship judge Royston Ellis.
The Fellowship will send Wright to Galle for one month before the end of this year.
Note to editor:
Templeberg Villa open stays can be arranged.
High-res jpegs of Templeberg Villa and Michelle Wright are also available. Please contact Brent Carey with any requests.
About Templeberg Villa
Templeberg Villa is a Kiwi/Aussie, family run villa rental service in Galle, Sri Lanka. Templeberg Villa's history dates back to 1864, when the property was first established as an Old Dutch Colonial Merchants house and working coconut plantation. The style of the property is befitting of a colonial manor house that has been lovingly restored and furnished with period antiques by a German expatriate family. 2012 is the first time the villa has been open to guests.
Templeberg Villa is a true family effort, led by Christopher Shields and his partner Brent Carey and Christopher's mother, Karin Jansson who speaks fluent Swedish. After 15 years in the New Zealand hospitality industry, Christopher was drawn to the opportunities presented by villa management in South East Asia having lived and travelled extensively with the ANZ bank throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia Hong Kong and Taiwan. His extensive knowledge of hospitality and marketing sectors is complemented by Brent Carey's business and public relations experience.
Their 5 acre working coconut plantation is located in Coastal Galle.
Villa reservations can be made online at http://www.templeberg.com
Media contact:
Jack Walden
+61 428 300 090
jack@thecword.com.au
Brent Carey
+61 481 160 031
templebergplantation@gmail.com