A ‘Living Wake’ fundraiser was held for well-known Northern Territory writer, Andrew McMillan, on December 3rd 2010 at the Darwin Railway Club.

Author of books Catalina Dreaming, An Intruder’s Guide to East Arnhem Land, Death In Dili, and winner of the inaugural Chief Minister’s Northern Territory Book of the Year award in 2009, McMillan was admitted to hospital in October, with a serious illness.

He is now recovering after surgery.

The author has made his home in Darwin for the last 30 years, and has helped shape the NT writing landscape with his poetic take on local life, music, Indigenous culture, arts and politics. His first book Strict Rules is a chronicle of the ground-breaking ‘Blackfella/Whitefella Tour’ by Warumpi Band and Midnight Oil to outback Indigenous communities, in 1986.

The book was published nationally and internationally in 1988.

Well-known and loved within the NT music and arts community – of whom he is a great supporter – many Territory musicians and artists rallied to support Andrew at the ‘Living Wake’ event to assist in raising funds for his post-hospital recovery. Andrew McMillan was also in attendance.

In addition to an art auction, many of the Territory’s best singers and musicians performed, including: Shellie Morris, The Bloody Marys, Leah Flanagan, Tracey Bunn, David Dalrymple, Sven Larrson, The Last of the Royal Scandinavian Fish Slappers and The Presley Boys.

The fundraiser was organised by Andrew’s friends and colleagues at the NT Writer’s Centre, of which he is a co-founder.

NT Writers Centre Executive Officer Sandra Thibodeaux said that the ‘Living Wake’ was an “excellent night,” adding that “Andrew swanned in as expected, and was treated to songs and poetry written in his honour. I think he was overwhelmed by all the love in the air… The Arts Minister [Gerry McCarthy] attended and I spotted him opening his wallet – good on ya Gerry!”

Sandra says the the fundraising target for the event “was $15,000″ and that by night’s end they had “exceeded this amount.” She added that donations are still being accepted “until Andrew’s birthday on December 29″, and can be made through the NT Writers Centre. (Source: Facebook)

You can also read a full report on the night – and see great photos from it taken by Glenn Campbell – on Bob Gosford’s blog, The Northern Myth.

Visit Andrew McMillan’s official website and Facebook page, and read more about him here, here and here. More in the NT News.

Visit the Darwin Railway Club on Facebook.

Watch a video of Andrew interviewed on ABC NT Stateline, about receiving the 2009 NT Book of the Year Award.

Words: Megan Spencer. Thanks To Sandra Thibodeaux for the quotes.