2003 Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows announced

2003 Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows announced

The Sargeson Trust and national law firm Buddle Findlay have announced that playwright Toa Fraser and novelist Debra Daley are the 2003 Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows.

The fellowship provides an opportunity each year for one or two outstanding writers to write full-time while residing in a central Auckland apartment, with a monthly stipend to cover living expenses.

The Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship is now in its seventh year and a considerable number of works have been produced by fellows during this period. Buddle Findlay senior partner Michael Dineen is delighted to welcome this year’s new fellows and is excited about the year ahead. “Buddle Findlay values excellence and commitment so we are pleased to continue supporting outstanding New Zealand writers. We are particularly delighted that the book, An Affair of the Heart, Celebration of Frank Sargeson’s Centenary will be published shortly. It will include many contributions from past Buddle Findlay Sargeson fellows. This publication marks yet another milestone in our relationship with the Sargeson Trust” Mr Dineen says.

Toa Fraser is a 28-year-old award-winning playwright from Auckland. He takes up the fellowship from February until the end of June. He writes for theatre, television and film and his plays have been performed throughout New Zealand and the world. His work continues to be influenced by his Pacific Island and British heritage. Toa will use the fellowship to write his fifth play in a series of five.

Debra Daley, also from Auckland, will take up the second fellowship from July onwards. She is an award-winning fiction writer who has had three plays produced on television, as well as an original four-part mini-series. In addition she has written four feature-length screenplays and has worked extensively as a journalist and editor. Debra is the author of The Strange Letter Z (Penguin New Zealand 1995, Bloomsbury UK 1996) and has recently completed a second novel, Cruel World. Debra will use the fellowship to begin writing a new novel.

In 1997 law firm Buddle Findlay became the first commercial sponsor of the fellowship. Sargeson Trust chairperson Christine Cole Catley says Buddle Findlay’s sponsorship has undoubtedly helped much more quality New Zealand literature to emerge. “The fellowship is so sought after that our only unpleasant job is having to say no to so many of the already distinguished and exciting writers who apply.”

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