4 September 2025
An Open Letter to the Vice Chancellor of The University of Melbourne on the Closure of Meanjin

Dear Professor Johnston,

We, the undersigned writers and literary workers, are saddened and distressed by the closure of one of Australia’s longest standing literary journals, Meanjin. Many things could be said about the continuing quality and esteem the journal is held in, but one simple truth remains: in a shrinking circle of chances for publication and exposure for writers in this country, we can’t afford to lose any outlets for our work, let alone one of the best.

We understand the financial pressures of modern academies, and that thrift must be found somewhere. With this in mind, we approach you with a simple proposal: a small voluntary pay cut of 10% of your current salary would save the university $150,000, an ample amount to keep a literature journal running and publishing. This would still leave you with the handsome payrate of $1,350,000 per annum; and with all accommodation and other expense perks intact. We understand that the job of Vice Chancellor of a leading university entails some hard work that deserves fair compensation. A 10% salary cut, however, would leave you still over $341,000 (converted to AUD) better off annually than the Vice Chancellor of The University of Cambridge. Something we’re sure you will strongly consider when you make your decision, which we are confident will be the right one.

Yours in good faith,

The undersigned.

Alan Fyfe, novelist and poet.

2,841
signatures
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  1. Jennifer Compton, Carrum
  2. Alex Creece, Writer/Editor/Artist, Djilang
  3. Helen jarvis, Teacher and writer, Melbourne
  4. Gayelene Carbis, writer and teacher, Melbourne
  5. Glen Hunting, Writer and WHS Coordinator
  6. Deb Verhoeven, Writer, Scholar, MCKINNON
  7. Rachael Guy, writer, Chewton
  8. Kate Maxwell, Teacher/poet, Canberra
  9. Hamish Danks Brown, poet & storyteller, Melbourne Poets Union, Melbourne
  10. SAM ELKIN, Author, Footscray
  11. Sophie Finlay, Librarian/artist/poet, Melbourne
  12. Nicole Hayes, Writer, Melbourne
  13. Beth Atkinson-Quinton, Writer/Broadcaster/Producer, Coburg
  14. Sue Brennan, Tribunal Officer/writer/reader, Brisbane
  15. Ken Gelder, Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
  16. Nicole Lindsay, Journalist, Freelancer, Melbourne
  17. Donna Mazza, Author and Academic, Edith Cowan University, Boyanup
  18. Greg McLaren, Teacher and writer, Warrimoo
  19. Sarah Waterson, Academic, Sydney
  20. Mark Roberts, Writer, Rochford Street Review, Leura
...
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  1. Meredith Rose, Editor, Freelance, Wyelangta
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  3. Omaim Al-Baghdadi, Researcher/Writer, Western Sydney University, Dharug
  4. River Gammon, Writer, Melbourne
  5. Richard Huddleson, Assistant Professor, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Belfast
  6. Mary Chang, Part-time writer, Dead Darlings Society, Brisbane
  7. Ann Healey, Poet, Ballan
  8. Del Ray Cross, poet, editor & executive assistant, SHAMPOO, san francisco
  9. Trudy Campbell, Editor/poet/artist, Torquay
  10. Dean Kiley, Ex-academic, RMH, Reservoir
  11. John Ford, Retired/writer, Melbourne
  12. Marion Crooke, Producer, Melbourne
  13. Sophie Adams, Academic, La Trobe University, Melbourne
  14. Alexander Hazell, Editor-in-Chief, Curtin Writers Club, Perth
  15. Mimi Hohlweg, Secondary School Teacher (Science, German, French, Psychology), Melbourne
  16. Sue Way, Retired, Camden NSW
  17. Meredith Windust, Retired, Hampton
  18. Jo Wood, Digital Health, Claddagh Occupational Medicine, Melbourne
  19. Nadege Philippe-janon, Researcher, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
  20. Elaine Minor, writer, Former ASAL treasurer and AustLit team member, Sydney