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A tribute to Kathryn (Kate) Deller-Evans

Adelaide poet, author and university teacher Kate Deller-Evans, who sadly lost her battle with cancer this month, was a friend and inspiration to many in the South Australian writing community.

Aug 17, 2016, updated Aug 17, 2016

Kate’s bright, warm nature, intelligence and positive spirit often lifted others, and she was ever encouraging of fellow creators. Kate was a regular contributor to InDaily, joining the team of arts reviewers back when the publication first appeared in print as The Independent Weekly.

She was born in Oxford in 1961 to Lorrie and Don Deller, and was mostly raised in Adelaide apart from an important interval living in North Yelta, outside Moonta, in the mid-north of South Australia’s “copper triangle”. She was a middle child, a girl among four brothers.

Kate topped the state in Year 12 art and was a scholar in later years, too – beginning with medicine, which she eventually forsook for poetry, then completing a BA with Honours, a teaching qualification, a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing, and a PhD – with a further university teaching course well underway when she was struck ill this last time.

Kate taught at Flinders University, and also at the University of Canberra and the Adelaide College of the Arts, where she was later went on to run the ACA professional writing program. She was dearly loved by her students.

Her poetry collections include “Travelling with Bligh” (in New Poets Seven, Wakefield Press, 2002) and Coming Into the World (Bookends Books, 2003). She co-authored Best of Friends (Wakefield Press, 2008), a 30-year retrospective of Friendly Street Poets, Australia’s longest-running public poetry venue.

Kate taught academic, professional and creative writing for more than 15 years. She co-authored Lift Off!: An Introductory Course in Creative Writing (Ginninderra Press, 2001) and Essential Skills for Science and Technology (Oxford University Press, 2008). She co-edited Another Universe: FS Poets 28, (Wakefield Press) and Corridors: Words on the Wards (Arts in Health, 2005), a collection of work drawn from workshops conducted with Flinders Medical Centre staff.

Other publications include Crossed Oars (Ginninderra Press, 2015), Strut & Fret: Unheard Voices from the Bard (Ginninderra Press, 2014) and Two Ways to Bake a Cake (Garron Publishing, 2014).

Kate was active in the South Australian writing community and passionate about the importance of art and writing. Her poetry has been featured in three South Australian Living Artists (SALA) exhibitions, and her work has been illustrated on pottery and on paper, including in the artists’ book Flotsam.

Many fellow creators across the country have benefitted from her support and encouragement over the years. In Canberra, Kate started creative writing programs in five major community centres. She received Australia Council funding to edit Park Voices (Ginninderra Press, 2001), a volume of writing and illustrations arising from one of those projects.

Together with husband Steve Evans, Kate was also a member of the MOGs group of South Australian writers, and over the years enjoyed the opportunities for networking and spirited discussion about all things writing related.

In “The day Iost my locks” (InDaily, 2013), Kate wrote with humour and honesty of the effects of chemotherapy and the help she received when adjusting to the resulting changes to her physical appearance. When her cancer returned, she could no longer work but maintained her belief in the importance of art and writing, both of which continued to provide some comfort to her.

It was Kate’s dream to see her final verse novel, Copper Coast, published. MOGs members focused their energies and, while simultaneously raising funds to cover costs, managed the production of an initial print run of 500 copies. Kate, with Steve’s help, was able to be involved in decision-making regarding key aspects of the book’s design, including choosing the cover layout and approval of the final draft. Throughout this time, she was cared for with respect and tenderness by the staff of Daw House Hospice.

Kate passed away peacefully on August 6, 2016, aged 55 years.

On Saturday, August 13, a private funeral service was held for Kate at the Belair Uniting Church. A large gathering of family and friends came together later that day at the Goodwood Community Centre for a celebration her life.

She will be remembered with love as the cherished wife of Steve, mother and stepmother of Jared, Warwick, Rosie, Marina, Imogen and Lewis, mother-in-law of Jess and Anna, grandmother of Blake, Elsie and Hugo, and sister to Stephen (deceased), Michael, Matthew and John.

Jo Vabolis is a friend, fellow InDaily reviewer and MOGs writing group member.

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