The Devonport Flagstaff Page 22
Catching up with Ka Meechan, new Executive Director at the Michael King Writers’ Centre, is keen to make a literary mark on the village. “I think Devonport could become a book town, a bit like Dunedin, the UNESCO-designated City of Literature, or Hay-on-Wye in the UK. There is the writers’ centre, so many writers and poets and great book shops and a wonderful library already. If we also brought the society of authors, booksellers association and other organisations like it to Devonport, it would work well,” she says. Meechan also sees ways for the Michael King Writers’ Centre to expand its literary role in New Zealand. “I think we could become a central application point for all New Zealand writers to apply to all available residences. Writers want to write, not fill out applications, and we can cut the duplication of administration that way too,” she says. Meechan takes up the job with 30 years of book-trade experience, working for Nielsen Book Services until 2013 and then the Publishers Association of New Zealand. She has travelled widely in both jobs. Meechan lives in Balmoral, and grew up in Northcote, but the Devonport peninsula has played a role in her life, she says. “The day before I left Auckland to go to university in Christchurch, I came up to Mt Victoria to say goodbye to the city. It was at night and I was probably a bit drunk,” she says. Meechan likes to run and swim and has participated in many Devonport peninsula events over the years. “I have run the Devonport Classic three times. It starts out at Fort Takapuna and one year they brought us past the Signalman’s House,” she says. Two Auckland half-marathons and numerous Harbour Crossing swims are also on her list of sporting achievements.
February 26, 2016
Michael King Writers’ Centre executive director, Ka Meechan
Book town… Devonport has a literary tradition and future, says Ka Meechan
Osteopathy is a hands on therapy that successfully alleviates a wide variety of symptoms. The Devonport clinic has been running for 14 years helping young and old alike. ACC Registered Tel: 09 445 6783 for an appointment 19 Clarence St, Devonport Village