I’ve been shocked to learn through Heather Taylor-Johnson that Stephen Lawrence has died suddenly in Adelaide. Steve was an accomplished writer in many forms. He’s been a speechwriter, media/ publications / project officer for the SA government, poet and editor. It was Stephen who selected my sparrow in an airport manuscript for Friendly Street’s New Poets Ten – my first collection –  and he continued to take an interest in my writing career. I admired his intelligence and enjoyed his quiet courtesy and self-deprecating sense of humour.

My condolences to Steve’s wife Celine and two children. Stephen will be sadly missed by many.