Harold Edward (Hal) Porter

Hal Porter (1911-1984), author and artist, was born in Melbourne in 1911, and educated mainly at Bairnsdale in Gippsland, Victoria. After leaving school he worked for a short time as a cadet reporter, and then as a schoolmaster, at Williamstown North Primary School (1927-1937). In 1942 fourteen of his short stories were published in a limited edition titled Short Stories. After the Second World War Porter had numerous occupations, including cook, actor, director, schoolmaster and librarian. In 1961 he became a full time writer. His working rhythm, especially in the 1970s, involved disciplined retreats to the farm owned by his sister and her husband at Glen Avon, near Garvoc in the Western District. These periods were punctuated by binges in Melbourne. In 1983 Hal was hit by a motor car and after remaining in a coma for fourteen months died in Thornbury in 1984.

(show below)