Waverley Cemetery: Council to host working writers’ inside cottage

Sydney’s most picturesque cemetery — and the resting place of acclaimed author Henry Lawson — could become the birthplace of the next great Australian novel, with plans to host writers working on their craft.

Free accommodation is being offered to writers at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Picture: Richard Dobson

The next great Australian novel could be written from an iconic cliffside cemetery in Sydney’s east, with space being offered to writers working on their craft.

While best known for it’s breathtaking views and being the final resting place of celebrated Australians like Dorothea Mackellar, Waverley Cemetery is soon to become the birthplace of new ideas.

Waverley Council are set to repurpose the caretaker’s cottage of the cliffside graveyard, which dates back to 1877, as a writers room for authors to work on their craft.

In the unanimously passed motion on Tuesday night, council also voted to name the centre after one of the cemetery’s most famous residents, esteemed bush poet Henry Lawson.

The residence, which is currently been used as staff accommodation, will begin hosting writers as early as next year following an expression of interest process.

The caretaker's cottage at Waverley Cemetery in Bronte. Picture: Margaret Merton

Successful applicants would be put up for five months, along with two other writers, while having a “room of ones own” to read, write, research and draft in a “fully functional equipped space”.

At this stage, while the selection criteria requires applicants to have a demonstrated connection to the area, there is scope in the long term for international writers to stay.

Author and literary agent Gaby Naher approached Waverley Council with the idea. Picture: Supplied

The idea came from novelist and literary agent, Gaby Naher, author of The Underwharf and Bathing in Light, who became enamoured with the site having lived next door for several years.

“I spent a lot of time just observing how incredibly beautiful that large sandstone building was. Having worked in publishing I just had this sense it could be a wonderful place to sit and write quietly,” she said

Ms Naher, who wrote the first drafts of her debut novel at a writers’ residence in Scotland, said it was an “invaluable, amazing experience” in which she could “choose to be as isolated as I wanted in a beautiful setting”.

Ms Naher also said she believed Waverley Cemetery’s views and history made it a “great place for writers to hang out, connect with stories, with memories and nature”.

Waverley Cemetery in Sydneys eastern suburbs. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We think of cemeteries as places for the dead but also I also think it’s where new stories can be born,” she said

“I’ve always been absorbed in the type of liminal zone between oceans, earth, sea, the sky, the living and the dead.”

Labor councillor Margaret Merten, who raised the motion after being approached by Ms Naher, said she hoped the residence would “grow in stature” as a creative space.

“Waverley has always been really strong in supporting the performing arts and this new centre would be the fantastic counterpoint for Waverley to become known for the written word,” she said.

“All cities have their creative precinct, like Soho in New York, Chelsea in London. We have the Bondi Pavilion and now at Bronte we have lots of opportunity to grow this centre,” she said

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said the “wonderful initiative” was part of council’s broader vision of returning treasured assets back to the community.

It comes as nearby heritage cottage Bronte House will be opened to the public next year, following an outpour of community support for it be accessible all year round.