The Jill Dark Fellowship
Named in honour of Jill Dark, this two-week fellowship will be awarded to a writer of outstanding talent who is experiencing financial hardship and requires extra support to attend a residency. The recipient will have their travel costs reimbursed and will receive a $600 stipend.
Applications will open in March 2025
Dates: The fellowship can be taken between January - August 2026.
Places: One writer will be selected as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships program.
Who should apply: Writers working in any genre, who are experiencing financial hardship.
FAQ: Please read the FAQs before you apply.
The Jill Dark Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowships and requires extra financial support in order to attend their residency. Jill Dark and the late Mick Dark gifted Varuna the National Writers' House, to the Australian public in 1989. Jill was actively involved in the transition of Varuna from a private residence to a writers' retreat, and continues to visit the house and attend Varuna events.
The fellowship recipient will receive:
A two-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a daily prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers
A $600 stipend
All travel costs reimbursed between your home and Katoomba
This fellowship was made possible by a donation from a member of Varuna’s alumni. We have elected to name the fellowship after Jill due to her generosity and commitment to equity.
For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.
ABOUT JILL DARK
Jill Dark was crucial in the development of Varuna as a national writers’ house, and is a local leader in the Blue Mountains. A keen birder, botanist, conservationist and mentor, Jill has been a key member of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, the Australian Plant Society and Blue Mountains Bushcare. She is a co-author of three Native Plants of the Upper Blue Mountains books, she worked with WIRES and Blue Mountains Bird Observers for many years, and she regularly leads nature and bird walks in the local area. We have named this fellowship in her honour, due to her lifelong commitment to community, and the sharing of ideas and knowledge.
TESTIMONIALS
“Varuna is magic in a way that words can’t express. Don’t question it, just apply and come see for yourself.”
HOW TO APPLY
The Jill Dark Fellowship is awarded to a writer who is experiencing financial hardship; this may be due to a number of factors which can include illness, unemployment, under-employment, family and caring responsibilities, and/or natural disasters.
Applicants to our Varuna Residential Fellowships can request to be considered for this fellowship. There is no separate application process, however you will be asked to include a few sentences about how the fellowship would benefit your career development, and your financial circumstances.
Please refer to Varuna’s general submission guidelines for any questions on formatting your work.
UPCOMING COURSES, FELLOWSHIPS AND EVENTS
