Sheila Birchill

Sheila was born in the U.K. before the Second World War. She lived within sight and sound of ships near the port of Bristol, so she always expected to travel. She trained as a nurse and, naturally married a doctor! They worked together in Somalia before emigrating to Launceston in 1961 and now delight in three grandchildren.Sheila began writing poems while working on the Intensive Care unit of the LGH. In 1983, she completed an Arts degree which opened up some interesting experiences in research and relief teaching.She has had short stories, poems and articles published in literary magazines, (from Quadrant to Republic Readings) newspapers and anthologies. They were inspired by people and places and the migrant experience of Tasmania. More recently, association with the families of people with mental illness and an education programme for her own age group has led her to focus on science and philosophies of resilience and renewal, in individuals and the earth itself.Published Books:The Loom of Time: a collection of poems with Marilyn Arnold and Joy Driscoll (now Elizabeth), 1983. Available in Tasmanian public libraries.Migrant Women's Access to Resources in Launceston - a study for the Bureau of Immigration Research, with co-authors, 1993.Gorge Dreaming: a collection of short stories and poems, 1997. Available in Tasmanian libraries and from Sheila Burchill. Cost $12.00 including postage. Postal address is available upon request from Women Tasmania.