Issue 6 2010 - TLS - Victoria University

Editorial
by Bruno Lettieri
Contributor and lovely man, Hugh Deacon, zaps us a Platform piece. It’s been commissioned—sort of. It
poetically recounts a red double-decker bus loaded with poetry-lovers swaying its way over the Westgate
Bridge at twilight on its way to god-knows-where.
The energy of the piece is palpable. A poet/teacher is the first to recognise this and excitedly tells me so.
This is writing that captures some of the feel of the zany twilight poetry bus. I love Hugh’s presence in
Platform, love its recount of exuberance and moonlit piers oozing poetry and delight. I love writing that
alerts us to those qualities that can still be awake in our common world. I love a university that gets on a
bus and sways.
‘Thanks for forwarding this on and congratulations on yet another brilliant edition of
Platform: it just goes from strength to strength; the quality and the energy of the thing
is truly impressive…’—Paul Bateman (frequent contributor).
I realise it can be self-indulgent to just cherry-pick praise. Yet, isn’t it a delightful spirited way to talk
about something How often will a note sing and energise in that kind of way I’m reminded to sway as
I try to write. Energy begetting energy. Sometimes I love the notes that follow as much as I love the noted
thing.
‘Dear Bruno,
Always good to hear from you and I admire what you do.
I’m afraid I have nothing original to offer. I just haven’t had any writing time lately.
Would you be interested in something that has been published before I do apologise.
I encouraged my good friend TF to send a story. He is working part-time for VU at
present although he lives in NSW. I hope it reached you OK.
Hope our paths cross soon.
With all good wishes. Michael.’
Michael McGirr wrote a piece for Issue 5, and like all our contributors, sought no fee. He’s been
widely acclaimed, had many books published, and been an editor and publisher. Yet, all he gives me is
graciousness and encouragement.
Viva la note! Viva its quietness and sustenance!
Greg Baum (senior journalist for The Age) launched issue 4 at the end of last year at Footscray Nicholson’s
Terrace Restaurant. He’s been supportive of our magazine and wrote an original piece for it too. I’m
staggered that busy need-to-meet-deadline writers don’t just smash our requests for writing out of the
park. He tells us without too much fanfare, he wishes for his two university-going sons—who love
newspapers and care about writing—to experience a Platform launch and a Rotunda gathering. I quietly
send out my invisible telescopic educator’s arm and give him the tightest hug.
Martina and Megan (editing and layout) write a spirited invitational email about Platform and their
willingness to bring it to classrooms and sing its intention and hope. They send it hither and thither
across the university. I’m struck by its crispness and lovely purposefulness. I’m struck by the efficiency and
ease of its delivery. I speculate that a jaded teacher perhaps receives it, straightens just a little, and senses
the energised possibility that could be coming their way.
Barry wrote the lead, ‘Harambe Conversations’, for the last edition. The marketing people read it and
want to expand the scope of the story and use Barry’s insight, depiction and informing spirit as the
stimulus for another piece to go into another magazine. His piece too, sways its way over the artificial
borders, demarcations and through the managerial labyrinth, and seems to reach attentive ears.
You know, you’re welcome to write for it. We’d be delighted to send copies to you for your class group.
We hope it’s enticing young folk and all folk to have a go. We hope that Hugh and Paul, Michael, Greg
and Barry, and Megan and Martina, have warmed you to the gentle art of swaying—with words.
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