Tolkien Down Under Seminar 25th August, 2007
On Saturday, 25th August, 2007, Tol Harndor and the Tolkien Society presented "The Art and Science of Magic in Middle-Earth", the inaugural Australian Tolkien Seminar. The seminar was held at the NSW Writers Centre, sited in the beautiful grounds of the former Rozelle Hospital. The Centre occupies the Garry Owen House, built in 1840 as a training centre for Gladesville Hospital nursing staff. After many years of abandonment it was restored and re-opened 23rd September, 1999 as the NSW Writers Centre. The Centre is surrounded by lush green lawns and tall, stately trees - some of positively Entish proportions!

The ‘magic’ of Tolkien and his epic works is a diverse and diverting area of interest for Tolkien fans far and wide. The seminar was fortunate to have an array of speakers from around Australia as well as The US and the UK. There were academics, writers (published and hoping to be published one day) and of course fans.

Highlight's of the Programme
The Magic of Proper Names in Tolkien Richard Harland
Love: The Real Magic in the Lord of the Rings Susan Michaels & Belinda Holdsworth
Understanding Disappointment: Analysing Critical Responses to the Film Adaptation of Lord of the Rings Sue Turnbull
Magic and the Major Icons Ted Scribner
Sound and Element: Feminine Magic in J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘The Silmarillion’ Elise McKenna
Tolkien’s Word Magic: growing up as an Australian Fan, the power of Tolkien’s writing & an Illustrated Tour of his England Cecilia Dart-Thornton
Letting the Cat out of the Bag: Tolkien's dream-theory Peter Wilkin
Escape and Consolation:  The Importance of the Happy Ending in Fantasy Fiction Kate Forsyth

Plus of course panels and discussion, both formal and informal.
Some Photographs of the Day
Programme
Full programme with
session abstracts
Writer's Centre

Michael Kennedy
Jeff Lynch
Cecilia Dart Thornton
Kate Forsythe

Elise McKenna
Ted Scribner
Sue Turnbull
Richard Harland
      
Some More Photographs

Peter Wilkin
Susan Michaels
Michael & Chris
Chris Crawshaw
Writer's Centre Grounds
Resident Ent
     
For information on Tol Harndor or the Tolkien Society please contact Michael Kennedy,
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