AustLit

'To my surprise, I find I have been on the Committee for the Patrick White Award for twenty-five years, so this gives me a good opportunity to share with others for the first time what the experience has been like. It was an even greater surprise to get a phone call from Patrick White in about September 1982. In his reedy voice and best imperious manner he asked me to join the Committee, on a probationary basis. He had decided to step down, wanting to make sure all was in order in case he should suddenly depart this life. If at the first meeting he thought I shaped up all right, he would then go off the Committee him. self. I must have passed muster, since I'm still here, but Patrick emit( never bring himself to stay away from the meetings, and in fact controlled his own Award till the day he died.'

 (Introduction)