Dr Diane Caney, PhD
As a child, Diane often sat in the arms of an old sheoak, high above the ground, dreaming up stories. She also loved to lie on the top of hedges.
Diane was also an avid reader.
It’s not surprising, then, that she completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne in 1990, and later a PhD at the University of Tasmania.
From August 2011 to July 2013, through the Café Poet program (run by Poetry Australia), Diane was the resident poet at ‘Chado – The Way of Tea’ which was run in Hobart by Dr Varuni Kulasekera (scientist, academic, mindfulness expert, public and population health consultant, and business woman) and her husband, Brian Ritchie (curator of the MONA FOMA art and music festival, bass player with the Violent Femmes, and musician with numerous other bands around the globe).
Diane’s poetry explores a range of themes. It is often informed by playful aspects of her doctoral thesis on Patrick White and Sidney Nolan, which is now sitting happily on the shelves of the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) Library, near Hobart in Tasmania.
Diane also wrote some books on workplace bullying with other authors. She’s drawn those ideas into the SWABS series. As well as dianecaney.com she has a website which includes a range of her poetry and academic writing. See: overthere.com.au.
In 2006, Diane moved to live in an old sandstone church with her husband, Sid, and their children, Elsie and Fischer. The church really does have a Wishing Chair in it, and the story of SWABS series was inspired one day when Diane was sitting in the Wishing Chair, making wishes.
‘Sole’ by Duncan Giblin
Diane’s poetry explores a range of themes. It is often informed by playful aspects of her doctoral thesis on Patrick White and Sidney Nolan, which is now sitting happily on the shelves of the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) Library, near Hobart in Tasmania.
Diane also writes books on workplace bullying, and a range of fiction for children and teenagers. Her other websites are: overthere.com.au and courageandempathy.com.
In 2006, Diane moved to live in an old sandstone church with her husband, Sid, and their children, Elsie and Fischer. The church really does have a Wishing Chair in it, and the story of The Time Pirate was inspired one day when Diane was sitting in the Wishing Chair, making wishes.
The Long Dedication and All the Thanks
Thanks very much to Duncan Giblin for allowing me to use his image 'Sole' (a sheoak from Norfolk Bay) on this page. The children in the SWABS series have a love of sheoaks.
Duncan's works are masterpieces and I feel very privileged to know him. Find more here: https://www.instagram.com/duncangiblintas/ and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054624302174.
And also to Lily Coulombe, who has an instagram page and website. I love her illustrations so much. Almost every drawn image on this website is copyright to Lillian Coulombe or Ondine; and the maps and few other illustrations are copyright to Diane Caney.
Also, you'll note that I make special mention of Bumble in the dedication below. Bumble lives in Tasmania and is an amazing magician who creates teddy bears which aim to turn sadness upside down. I feel so honoured to know him and his family. If you'd like to support Bumble's work, his website is here.
Most of all, I have to thank Sid, without whom nothing I ever do would happen. He supports me through everything, and I love him dearly.