The Australian Society of Authors is pleased to announce the appointment of David Day as Xgair of the ASA. David Day follows Sophie Masson who served a three-year term from 2011 to 2014. Sophie remains on the Board of Directors as an Executive Member.

David Day has been a writer for nearly thirty years and has published more than fifteen books, including a prize-winning history of Australia (Claiming a Continent), a thematic history of the world (Conquest: How Societies Overwhelm Others), a history of Antarctica and prize-winning biographies of three Australian prime ministers. Serveral have been published in Britain and the United States and translated into other languages.

David’s most recent book is Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson. He is presently completing a biography of Paul Keating.

David has taught in universities in Britain, Ireland, Japan and Australia and is presently a visiting fellow at the Australian National University and an honorary associate at La Trobe University.

On his appointment, David said: “I feel it’s time I played a part in protecting and enhancing the position of Australian writers. I intend to do what I can to raise the political and cultural profile of the ASA and also work with the Society to address the challenges for authors in the expanding digital environment.”

Prior to his appointment as Chair David Day was the ASA Treasurer. David has been succeeded in this position by Lynne Spender.

The Australian Society of Authors is also pleased to welcome Anne Maria Nicholson, newly appointed to the Board of Directors. Anne Maria Nicholson has been a senior journalist with the ABC. She specialises in covering all aspects of the arts – from opera to dance; visual arts to the film industry. She is the author of two novels, Weeping Waters, published in 2006, and Pliny’s Warning, published in 2009.

The ASA farewells outgoing Board member Sheryl Gwyther, and thanks her for all her hard work on behald of the ASA cause, and her unfailing courtesy and dedication.