Poet. She was the only daughter of Marion and Charles Mackeller, a physician and parliamentarian. She was educated at home and traveled widely, becoming fluent in French, Spanish, German, and Italian. In 1908, her best-known poem, 'My Country' which she wrote at age 19, was first published in the London 'Spectator' under the title 'Core of My Heart.' It was reprinted several times in Australia before being included as 'My Country' in her first book, 'The Closed Door, and Other Verses' (1911). She published 'The Witch-Maid, and Other Verses' in 1914, the novel, 'Outlaw's Luck' (1913) and more collected verse in 'Dreamharbour '(1923); and 'Fancy Dress' (1926). During and after World War I 'My Country' became one of the best-known poems by an Australian, appealing to a sense of patriotism. After her father's death in 1926, her output dwindled to almost nothing, and after her mother's death in 1933, suffered from indifferent health. In the New Year's Day Honors of 1968, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to Australian literature. She died two weeks later, after a fall at home, at the age of 82. Her ashes were laid in the family vault in Waverly Cemetery, her poem 'Colour,' her personal favorite, was read at the service. In 1983, a memorial dedicated to her was unveiled in ANZAC Park, Gunnedah, Australia. The following year, the 'Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards' were created, and have since grown into a nationwide poetry competition for Australian students.
In 2017, Australian poet Libby Hathorn and the Society of Women Writers NSW funded the cost of a new marble etched grave tablet that was placed on Dorothea Mackellar's grave. This quoted her famous lines from the poem, My Country. The dedication reads, 'Placed here in honour of her work by the Society of Women Writers NSW, 2017'
Poet. She was the only daughter of Marion and Charles Mackeller, a physician and parliamentarian. She was educated at home and traveled widely, becoming fluent in French, Spanish, German, and Italian. In 1908, her best-known poem, 'My Country' which she wrote at age 19, was first published in the London 'Spectator' under the title 'Core of My Heart.' It was reprinted several times in Australia before being included as 'My Country' in her first book, 'The Closed Door, and Other Verses' (1911). She published 'The Witch-Maid, and Other Verses' in 1914, the novel, 'Outlaw's Luck' (1913) and more collected verse in 'Dreamharbour '(1923); and 'Fancy Dress' (1926). During and after World War I 'My Country' became one of the best-known poems by an Australian, appealing to a sense of patriotism. After her father's death in 1926, her output dwindled to almost nothing, and after her mother's death in 1933, suffered from indifferent health. In the New Year's Day Honors of 1968, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to Australian literature. She died two weeks later, after a fall at home, at the age of 82. Her ashes were laid in the family vault in Waverly Cemetery, her poem 'Colour,' her personal favorite, was read at the service. In 1983, a memorial dedicated to her was unveiled in ANZAC Park, Gunnedah, Australia. The following year, the 'Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards' were created, and have since grown into a nationwide poetry competition for Australian students.
In 2017, Australian poet Libby Hathorn and the Society of Women Writers NSW funded the cost of a new marble etched grave tablet that was placed on Dorothea Mackellar's grave. This quoted her famous lines from the poem, My Country. The dedication reads, 'Placed here in honour of her work by the Society of Women Writers NSW, 2017'
Bio by: Iola
