I’m honoured and delighted to have been a recipient of a Curtin Distinguished Alumni award. It is given to Curtin graduates for the significant and valuable contributions they make to society. The other recipients have made amazing contributions to society. I feel humbled being mentioned alongside them.

My award blurb said this:

Marianne de Pierres
Since completing her Bachelor of Arts (English) at Curtin, Marianne de Pierres has had a very successful writing career, publishing several novels and short stories, and her work has been translated into nine languages. Marianne has shaped perceptions of who and what a female Australian writer can be and achieve. She has challenged traditions by writing across genres and defied stereotyping by telling her stories on multiple platforms.

I couldn’t be at the awards ceremony, but I was wonderfully represented by my nephew and his wife. You can see Andrew fourth from the left with a big cheesy grin.

Well, sorry for the lack of updates the last couple of weeks. Life really knows how to throw everything at you at one time!

I’m hoping things will settle down for a bit now. And just to remind me that sometimes you can get good news among the not-so-good-stuff, I’ve just heard that I’ve been short-listed for a Curtin Distinguished Australian Alumni Award.

This is such a great honour!

Unfortunately, having just been to Perth for family reasons, I can’t get back for the ceremony. However, my dear and delightful nephew Dr Andrew Whitehouse will be attending on my behalf. Andrew and his lovely wife Dr Jaqui McGlade/Whitehouse are doing some brilliant work at the Telethon Kids institute.