“The Fellowship was a trip of a lifetime and I could not have written my novel, When the Night Comes without the experience. I am so grateful." – Favel Parrett
Meet Favel Parrett
In 2011, Favel Parrett's career was launched with her critically acclaimed debut Past the Shallows. A heart-breaking novel, it was sold internationally, was shortlisted in the prestigious Miles Franklin Award and won the Dobbie Literary Award. Parrett won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award in 2012. Her next novel, When the Night Comes, was also critically acclaimed and further consolidated Parrett’s reputation with booksellers and readers. Parrett's short stories have been published in various journals including Island, Griffith Review and Frankie Magazine. There Was Still Love is Parrett’s eagerly awaited third novel and it was shortlisted for the Stella Prize and won Book of the Year at the 2020 Indie Book Awards. She lives in Victoria and is passionate about surfing, bushwalking, and dingoes.
Arts Fellowship project
Favel Parrett travelled to Antarctica on the Aurora Australis in 2012. She visited Casey research station to study the history of the Nella Dan, a former Australian supply ship.
Parrett grew up in Hobart, and knew the Nella Dan well as a child – even keeping a photo of the ship at Heard Island on her bedroom wall.
The Nella Dan was used as a supply ship by the Australian Antarctic Division for 26 years. 2012 marked the 25th anniversary of the ship’s scuttling off Macquarie Island.
Before departing to Antarctica, Parrett interviewed many past crew and expeditioners who travelled on the Nella Dan as research for her book. The Fellowship was an opportunity to experience first-hand what it is like to travel on a working polar and marine science vessel, and to visit the areas that Nella Dan worked in.
Find Favel Parrett’s work
Favel Parrett’s book on the Nella Dan, When the Night Comes, is available now. This book, and her other works, can be found on Parrett’s website.
