Published on Wednesday, 22 September 2021 at 2:36:53 PM
Literary Legend Celebrated by Lorin Cox
Recently Geraldton Regional Library celebrated the Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards and soon a special Stow reading event will take place at the Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival. While we are between these two wonderful events that bring local creative talents to light, it is the perfect time to reflect on their namesake.
Julian Randolph Stow was born on November 28, 1935, son of a country lawyer, Cedric Stow, and Mary, nee Sewell. Both sides of Stow's family were fifth-generation Australians. Stow spent his early years in Geraldton and surrounds where he soaked up the scenes which he would eloquently describe through various works published throughout his life. The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea set in Geraldton in the 1940’s is one such novel that allows many readers familiar with the area to experience a sense of nostalgia.
Many of Stow’s books have been published in multiple languages demonstrating that he had a reach far beyond his home town. Although he did move away, his roots remained strong, note the Geraldton Wax on the window in this image. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful Randolph Stow Collection and extremely grateful to Randolph Stow’s family.
Photo Caption: Randolph Stow at home in Harwich watching the harbour ships through the upstairs porthole, early 2000’s, courtesy of Helen McArthur.
Caption by Lorin Cox.
Image number: P 14886
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