‘The Deepest Thing’ – reflections on a life of triumph

Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute a grand venue for the launch of The Deepest Thing

Maryanne Diamond speaks and Anne Gleeson and Suzette Herft listen

Anne Gleeson reads

Denise Gleeson and Anne Gleeson

Pauline Brightling, Anne Gleeson and Rose Lucas

Lots of conversation … and L to R ..Rose Lucas, Anne M.Carson, Angela Costi and Alana Kelsall

Anne Gleeson and Angela Costi

This poetic memoir portrays the beauty and harshness of my sister Denise’s life.

The poems depict the reality of her medical conditions, the characteristics of her personality and the way these forms of intellectual disability have been experienced within an evolving Australian social, medical and language context.

Despite the obstacles, my sister Denise has encountered throughout almost seven decades, I see her life as one of triumph. It is an important Australian story. She cannot tell it and so I do.

Anne Gleeson

Book launch celebration

The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute was the grand venue for a fabulous book launch.

In The Deepest Thing, E A (Anne) Gleeson unflinchingly and tenderly tells the story of her life with her disabled sister Denise and celebrates Denise’s resilience and open heartedness. Family, friends and poetry community enjoyed listening as Anne read and spoke about writing this poetic memoir.

In her troubadour style, Australian folk singer Suzette Herft opened and closed the event with her songs and one of Denise’s favourites – ‘A World of Our Own’ by The Seekers

Siobhan Noble – Denise’s niece and Anne’s daughter – described the importance of The Deepest Thing to her family and Maryanne Diamond AO spoke with the passion of lived experience of disability – she has been blind from birth – and of knowing Anne and the warmth of the Gleeson family since their university days.

A wonderful way to spend an afternoon in poetry and community.

Anne Gleeson reads 'The Carer'

Anne Gleeson reads 'Don't underestimate the mothers'

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