Creative writing maestro is new professor

Alumni

Celebrated and award-winning author and University of Adelaide medical graduate Dr Peter Goldsworthy AM has been appointed Adjunct Professor in Creative Writing.

Dr Goldsworthy, whose first novel Maestro was voted as one of the Top 40 Australian books of all time, has written novels, poetry, short stories, plays and opera libretti, with many major literary awards across the genres.

"Peter is worth his weight in gold in adding his name to the reputation of the Creative Writing program," said Professor Brian Castro, Chair of Creative Writing at the University.

"He is something of a modern Renaissance Man - poet, novelist, film-writer and librettist - and his prolific output will undoubtedly boost the research potential of the program as well as add to the knowledge of student-writers."

Dr Goldsworthy has agreed to teach a masterclass in July and will be participating in several talks on cross-disciplinary skills in creative practice.

He and his talented family, including acclaimed classical pianist and writer and fellow University of Adelaide graduate Anna Goldsworthy, are featured in the Winter 2011 edition of the University's alumni magazine, Lumen.

The impact and achievements of many other University of Adelaide alumni are outlined in the latest issue of Lumen, including:

• Former military surgeon Dr Susan Neuhaus, discussing her experiences on the battlefields of Cambodia and Afghanistan, treating soldiers and civilians injured in war zones;
  
• Award-winning chemist Dr Nathan Gianneschi, who has been honoured by US President Barack Obama for his nanoscience research;
  
• Engineering graduates Lisa Moon and Peter McBean, who are both helping to rebuild Christchurch in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in February;
  
• 28-year-old medical graduate Dr Michael Findlay, who with his wife Kim is establishing a health and development project in Uganda to service 350,000 people;
  
• Jim Redgate, an Elder Conservatorium of Music graduate who has made a name for himself crafting exquisite classical guitars for some of the world's best musicians;
  
• Defence force lawyer Captain Dale Stephens, recalling his time in Baghdad as an adviser to renowned US Army General David Petraeus.

To see more stories from the Winter edition of Lumen, go to: adelaide.edu.au/lumen

Story by Robyn Mills and Candy Gibson