Dymphna Cusack
Encyclopedia
Dymphna Cusack AM
(21 September 1902 — 19 October 1981) was an Australian author.
Born in West Wyalong, New South Wales, Dymphna Cusack was educated at St Ursula's College, and graduated from Sydney University with an honours degree in Arts and a diploma in Education. She worked as a teacher until she retired in 1944 for health reasons.
Cusack wrote twelve novels (two of which were collaborations), seven plays, three travel books, two children's books and one non-fiction book. Her collaborative novels were Pioneers on Parade (1939) with Miles Franklin
, and Come In Spinner
(1951) with Florence James
.
The drama Red Sky at Morning
was filmed in 1944
, starring Peter Finch
. The biography Caddie, the Story of a Barmaid
, to which Cusack wrote an introduction and helped the author write, was produced as the film Caddie
in 1976
, starring Helen Morse
and Jack Thompson
. The novel Come In Spinner
was produced as a television series by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
in 1989.
in 1963 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia
in 1981 for her contribution to Australian literature
.
Cusack was instrumental in promoting the democratic, progressive traditions of her much loved country, both as a sought-after celebrity speaker in Australia as well as a cultural commentator during her long stays in Europe from the 1940s to the 1970s. It was a socially engaged, writerly stance shared by her famed mentor Miles Franklin and other great names in Australian literary history.
In 1998, the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), based in Geneva, honoured Dymphna Cusack's role in postwar European culture and politics by acknowledging the first doctoral thesis written on the author. The IFUW created "The Australia Award" for Dr. Tania Peitzker
's literary and cultural studies analysis of Cusack, funded by the University of Potsdam, Germany.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(21 September 1902 — 19 October 1981) was an Australian author.
Born in West Wyalong, New South Wales, Dymphna Cusack was educated at St Ursula's College, and graduated from Sydney University with an honours degree in Arts and a diploma in Education. She worked as a teacher until she retired in 1944 for health reasons.
Cusack wrote twelve novels (two of which were collaborations), seven plays, three travel books, two children's books and one non-fiction book. Her collaborative novels were Pioneers on Parade (1939) with Miles Franklin
Miles Franklin
Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, known as Miles Franklin was an Australian writer and feminist who is best known for her novel My Brilliant Career, published in 1901...
, and Come In Spinner
Come In Spinner
Come In Spinner is an Australian novel by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James, originally published in 1951, and set in Sydney, Australia at the end of the second World War.The title refers to a phrase used in the Australian gambling game of two-up....
(1951) with Florence James
Florence James
Florence Gertrude James was an Australian author and literary agent.- Life :Born in Gisborne, New Zealand, she moved with her family to Sydney in 1920...
.
The drama Red Sky at Morning
Red Sky at Morning (1944 film)
Red Sky at Morning is a 1944 Australian melodrama set during the 19th century. It features an early screen performance by Peter Finch, who plays a convict who falls in love with the wife of a sea captain. It is considered a lost film.-External links:...
was filmed in 1944
1944 in film
The year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
, starring Peter Finch
Peter Finch
Peter Finch was a British-born Australian actor. He is best remembered for his role as "crazed" television anchorman Howard Beale in the film Network, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor, his fifth Best Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and a...
. The biography Caddie, the Story of a Barmaid
Caddie, the Story of a Barmaid
Caddie, the Story of a Barmaid is the partially embellished autobiography of Catherine "Caddie" Edmonds, who worked as a barmaid in Sydney during the Great Depression...
, to which Cusack wrote an introduction and helped the author write, was produced as the film Caddie
Caddie (film)
Caddie is an Australian film, directed by Donald Crombie, released in 1976, and belonging to the Australian film renaissance which occurred during that decade....
in 1976
1976 in film
The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
, starring Helen Morse
Helen Morse
Helen Morse is an Australian actress who has appeared in films, on television, and on stage.-Biography:Morse was born in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, England. She was the oldest of four children; her parents were a doctor and nurse...
and Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson (actor)
Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society...
. The novel Come In Spinner
Come In Spinner
Come In Spinner is an Australian novel by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James, originally published in 1951, and set in Sydney, Australia at the end of the second World War.The title refers to a phrase used in the Australian gambling game of two-up....
was produced as a television series by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
in 1989.
Contribution and recognition
Cusack was a foundation member of the Australian Society of AuthorsAustralian Society of Authors
The Australian Society of Authors is the peak body representing Australia's literary creators and is the major advocate for the rights and remuneration of authors in Australia...
in 1963 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 1981 for her contribution to Australian literature
Australian literature
Australian literature is the written or literary work produced in the area or by the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding colonies. During its early western history, Australia was a collection of British colonies, therefore, its literary tradition begins with and is linked to...
.
Cusack was instrumental in promoting the democratic, progressive traditions of her much loved country, both as a sought-after celebrity speaker in Australia as well as a cultural commentator during her long stays in Europe from the 1940s to the 1970s. It was a socially engaged, writerly stance shared by her famed mentor Miles Franklin and other great names in Australian literary history.
In 1998, the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), based in Geneva, honoured Dymphna Cusack's role in postwar European culture and politics by acknowledging the first doctoral thesis written on the author. The IFUW created "The Australia Award" for Dr. Tania Peitzker
Tania Peitzker
Tania Peitzker, , a writer, literary scholar and publicist for the Creative Industries.Tania Peitzker was awarded a PhD in 2000 by the University of Potsdam for her Cultural Studies analysis of the twentieth century Australian author, Dymphna Cusack...
's literary and cultural studies analysis of Cusack, funded by the University of Potsdam, Germany.
Novels
- Jungfrau, 1936
- Pioneers on Parade, 1939, with Miles FranklinMiles FranklinStella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, known as Miles Franklin was an Australian writer and feminist who is best known for her novel My Brilliant Career, published in 1901...
- Come In SpinnerCome In SpinnerCome In Spinner is an Australian novel by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James, originally published in 1951, and set in Sydney, Australia at the end of the second World War.The title refers to a phrase used in the Australian gambling game of two-up....
, 1951, with Florence JamesFlorence JamesFlorence Gertrude James was an Australian author and literary agent.- Life :Born in Gisborne, New Zealand, she moved with her family to Sydney in 1920... - Say No to Death, 1951
- Southern Steel, 1953
- Caddie, the Story of a BarmaidCaddie, the Story of a BarmaidCaddie, the Story of a Barmaid is the partially embellished autobiography of Catherine "Caddie" Edmonds, who worked as a barmaid in Sydney during the Great Depression...
, 1953. [Introduction only] - The Sun in Exile, 1955
- Heat Wave in Berlin, 1961
- Picnic Races, 1962
- Black Lightning, 1964
- The Sun is Not Enough, 1967
- The Half-Burnt Tree, 1969
- A Bough in Hell, 1971