AustLit

Phyllis Pitchford is a respected Elder, author and poet from Tasmania. Growing up, Pitchford's fondest memories as a child were of Christmas time and mutton bird season on Cape Barren Island in north eastern Tasmania. Phyllis Pitchford has worked with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community as a mentor. Her writing is an exploration of Aboriginal history, culture and identity. Pitchford is a board member of Riawunna, the University of Tasmania's Centre for Aboriginal Education and was a founding member of the Flinders Island Aboriginal Association. In 2008, Phyllis Pitchford was awarded membership to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women for her services to Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts. The arts mentoring program meenah mienne (my dream) was established by Phyllis in 2008 to help Indigenous detainees from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre develop life skills through arts practice.