Objects of Substance- Gwen Harwood Poem - Reflecting Literary Legacies

the envelope sent with the poem, showing—depending on your perspective—an image of an older woman looking at her younger self in the mirror (though perhaps it is the other way around). Whether this image is designed to be representative of Harwood or her teacher is unclear, but the intrinsic links to the themes of recognition which appear in the poem are apparent. Harwood's memory appears elsewhere in the School Magazine too. In a 1992 interview she tells us: "I was pretty unremarkable at school.” Despite Harwood’s own self-assessment her work also appears in the 1937 magazine—her graduating year—through her work that won the Woolcock Essay Prize. There are other small samples of her juvenilia too – perhaps her classwork or simple acts of creative expression.

1935 Pas de Valse. Gwen Foster centre back.

These days, we find reflections of Gwen Harwood and her love of literature throughout the school. The Gwen Harwood Club, fondly known as "Gwennies," was founded in 2005 by current English teacher Mr Rick Laur as "a creative writing group for students interested in expressing themselves through poetry, prose or drama." The group has seen many changes since its creation, but the mission remains the same and like-minded students meet weekly for literary discussions and to practise their skills. Within our classrooms, Harwood makes an appearance in the Senior Literature program. Year 12 Litterateurs study her poems to analyse her choices and ultimately create their own creative piece. The girls take great interest in Harwood’s representations of women. Each year the girls find new and exciting ways to bring the poems to life to create their representations of women in the world. Like Harwood, they find endless opportunity to recognise themselves and their place in the world through their creative writing.