Sylvia LAWSON

Only met her once - at the Playwrights' conference in Canberra 1986(?) but what an amazing woman - fierce intellect, grace, verve and gentle warmth.

Sylvia was a generous, warm and inspiring friend, writer and intellectual. We became friends and colleagues when I invited her to discuss films on ABC Radio National's film program SCREEN in 1992-3. In earlier days she had often made invaluable contributions to the sort of ABC panel discussion shows on Australian culture that just don't exist anymore. I miss her and send my warmest condolences to her family. Cassi Plate

Dear Nick I have caught up with Sylvia at many events in Sydney over the years. Sending condolences to you and your family
Rosemary Wiss

What a great loss of a passionate, formidable thinker & writer, who was also the most engaging company. Feminist, public intellectual, polymath, great critic, writer & champion of Australian cinema - Sylvia made a unique, rich contribution to Australia's cultural life.

I would like to send my best wishes and condolences to all of Sylvia's family. I knew Sylvia for nearly half a century. She was a public intellectual and independent journalist with a fine intellect and writing style. She brought to her work a sense of the big picture, a depth of research and exceptional integrity. She was a feminist who courageously faced challenges in her own life. Sylvia was alway warm and concerned for others. Her contribution to Australian film and intellectual life was very significant. One other thing - Syliva was a great talker! She will never be forgotten by her friends.

I met Sylvia years and years ago in the change room at the pool. She was unfailingly sweet, smart and kind... a believer. I liked that very much.

Sorry to hear of Sylvia's passing. Her intellect and character will be sadly missed.
Dale Caldwell

My condolences to Sylvia's family and all her friends. Sylvia was an amazing force in Australian film criticism and writing, and a true public intellectual who inspired and mentored many. I got to know her first when I was one of her producers for a brief time many years ago when she took over The Week in Film, on ABC Radio 2/Radio National, after John Hinde. She also seemed to be doing many other things as well as being interviewed for the network, and often was in shows I was involved with like Surface Tension and The Listening Room and many many more. If Martin Harrison was here today too (long a friend of Sylvia's) I'm sure he would want to say goodbye, but sadly he left us before Sylvia. I saw her on and off over the years at all sorts of events, always loved being within cooee of her infectious intellectual energy and have continued to read her work. She always spoke to a wide public but never lost her critical edge and incisive depth in reaching it. So sad to hear she has left this world. Virginia Madsen