The Understory

“The lure of writing is the lure towards deep listening.” – Kate Prendergast

Sustained by the woodland ecology of Dja Dja Wurrung Djandak, my practice takes its purpose from the understorey – where what is hidden meets what is known, a place of diversity, colour, nourishment and surprise.

The Understory Collective is where I work with others on writing for purpose and curiosity. It combines all of my passions – writing craft, listening, reflection, critical discussion, psychology, health and ecology. Whether you are a mid-career author seeking mentorship, or someone with a story to share who is unsure where to begin, work with me to find or develop your voice.

For aspiring or established writers, I run an ongoing series of private workshops. My expertise includes art writing, nature writing, poetry and nonfiction. As well as my own methods as a writer, I bring extensive teaching and facilitation experience to a changing series of writing walks, retreats and groups. My workshops draw on my background with non-profit creative writing workshops for kids, art museums and festivals, as well as 15 years as an awarded Creative Writing lecturer and internationally published researcher of Australian Literature. I hold a PhD (Arts - English) and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Hons - Creative Writing), and I’m an Honorary Fellow at RMIT University and member of its non/fictionLab research group. I’m also a youth mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Have a look at what’s coming up, above, or contact me with a suggestion.

For the wider community, I am interested to work with groups and individuals to express and narrate problems and experiences they care about. I am fascinated by the ways that writing and narrative uncover what feminist psychologist Carol Gilligan calls “the story under the story”. I am developing writing- and language-centred interventions and collaborations on social, historical and environmental issues and knowledge with which I have lived experience or personal connection: climate change and ecology, colonial history and Reconciliation, women’s lives and more. See what projects I am currently exploring, above.

Informed by narrative therapy practice, phenomenological psychology and creative therapy, I believe writing and stories are about much more than literature. I am currently completing a Grad Dip (Psychology) and have undertaken training in Narrative Therapy at the Dulwich Centre. I’m a member of the Australian Psychological Society and Psychology for a Safe Climate.

The Understory is a female-owned business and is largely run on renewable sources of energy and water. It is developing towards a social enterprise supporting youth mentorship, regional community arts and land restoration. It was featured as a climate change-maker business by Mount Alexander Shire Council in 2025.

I’m always interested to discuss individual needs and custom enquiries, as well as collaborations, so get in touch.