Poet Mags Webster, Anne Elder Award Winner, Dies at 61
The literary world mourns the loss of Mags Webster, a distinguished poet, writer, and editor who passed away at the age of 61 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her debut poetry collection, The Weather of Tongues, earned the prestigious Anne Elder award in 2011, marking a significant achievement in Australian poetry.
Early Life and Education
Born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, Mags grew up in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, with her parents, Joyce and Eden Webster, an engineer. She had an elder sister, Alison, and two older brothers, Philip and Douglas. Her lifelong passion for literature began early, attending Abbots Bromley school in Rugeley, Staffordshire, before pursuing a BA in English and drama at Kent University in Canterbury, graduating in 1985.
Career and Literary Contributions
After university, Mags worked in public relations roles for notable institutions, including the Greater London Council, Corporation of London, and Westminster City Council. She later served as press officer for Richmond Theatre in London for three years. In 2003, she relocated to Perth, Western Australia, with her husband Robert, whom she married in 1996 and divorced in 2006.
In Australia, Mags flourished as a poet, publishing two acclaimed collections. The Weather of Tongues won the Anne Elder award for the best first book of poetry published in Australia in 2011. Her second collection, Nothing to Declare, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s literary awards in 2021, showcasing her evolving talent and impact on the literary scene.
Artistic Endeavors and Advocacy
Mags immersed herself in Perth’s cultural landscape, participating in art festivals, poetry readings, and literary events. As a writer and researcher at the cultural organisation Form, she developed a profound appreciation for Australian First Nations art. She spent considerable time in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, supporting and promoting Indigenous artists and their communities, leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.
Academic Achievements
Her dedication to writing led her to further academic pursuits. In 2015, she earned an MFA in creative writing from City University of Hong Kong on a scholarship. By 2020, she completed a PhD in English and creative writing (poetry) at Murdoch University in Perth, solidifying her expertise and influence in literary circles.
Legacy and Personal Life
Mags was highly respected in both literary and First Nations art communities, touching many lives through her work and advocacy. At the time of her sudden illness, she was planning the publication of another poetry collection, a testament to her enduring creativity. She is survived by her partner, Alessandro Cellerini, and brothers Philip and Douglas. Her sister Alison predeceased her.
Her contributions to poetry and art continue to inspire, with her works featured in journals and anthologies across Australia, Asia, and the United States, ensuring her memory lives on in the hearts of readers and artists alike.
