Barry Dickins (born 1949) is an Australian artist and writer of books and plays.
He was born in Reservoir, which is part of Melbourne. He left school early and worked in a factory. Later he painted sets and backgrounds for television programs. His first play, Ghosts, was performed in 1974 at La Mama Theatre. He has written many more plays. His play Remember Ronald Ryan won the 1995 Victorian Premier's Literary Award. He has also written short stories, biography, other non-fiction and children's books. Barry is known to use many 'half rhymes' in his work.
Dickins' books and plays
Drama
The Banana Bender and The death of Minnie. (Currency, 1981) Lennie Lower. (Yackandandah, 1982) One woman shoe. (Yackandandah, 1984) The Bridal Suite and Mag and Bag: Two plays. (Yackandandah, 1985) Beautland. (Currency, 1985) The Golden Goldenbergs. (1986) The Fool’s Shoe Hotel. (Yackandandah, 1987) Royboys. (Currency, 1987) Remember Ronald Ryan. (Currency, 1994)
Stories
Post Office Restaurant and Other Stories. (Pascoe, 1992)
Non fiction
The Gift of the Gab: Stories from the life of Barry Dickins. (1981; Penguin, 1987) What the Dickins! A symposium of pieces from the low life. (Penguin, 1985) You’ll Only Go In for Your Mates. (Allen & Unwin, 1991) Guts and Pity: The Hanging that ended Capital Punishment in Australia. (Currency Press, 1996) Ordinary Heroes: Personal Recollections of Australians at War. (Hardie Grant Books, 1999) Articles of Light: Reflections on lowlifes, ratbags and angels. (Penguin, 2000) Black and Whiteley: Barry Dickins in search of Brett. (Hardie Grant Books, 2002) Review
Children's books
My grandmother. (Penguin, 1989) My grandfather: Years of hope and vigour. (Penguin, 1993) Joey: A dog for all seasons. (Puffin, 1995)
References
Other websites
Interview from The Age
Drawings
Saint Dymphna's Bells Poem
1949 births
Living people
Writers from Victoria (Australia) Australian playwrights People from Melbourne Australian painters Australian children's writers Artists from Victoria (Australia)