Sympathy extended to family of late Dame Mary Durack

16/12/94

Arts Minister Peter Foss has expressed his sympathy to the family of Dame Mary Durack, who passed away this morning after a long illness.

Mr Foss said Dame Mary had made an enormous contribution to Australian literature through her writings, much of it drawn from her family's experiences of life in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and passed down from generation to generation.

"Dame Mary was a great Western Australian and she will be sadly missed," Mr Foss said.

"My sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends, and I believe that while Dame Mary will no longer be with us in person, her spirit and her literary wisdom will live on in her writings which will continue to delight new generations of Western Australians for many years to come.

"That is truly a wonderful legacy for the people of WA."

Media contact:  Mara Pritchard (09) 222 9595 / (09) 325 8655