Rochford Street Review was shocked and saddened to learn of the death  of writer, editor, academic and wine critic Moya Costello. 

Moya was a great friend of the Review and of Rochford Press, encouraging many of her students to contribute to the journal over the years and promoting it whenever she got the chance. She was ever the adventurous writer, at times almost experimental in the way she approached the prose poem and short fiction genres.

On a personal level Moya was always supportive and encouraging. She read the manuscript of my second collection, Concrete Flamingos, providing valuable feedback and a back cover blurb. Since then she has continued to read my work and provided her feedback and  criticism on a regular basis. Earlier this year, just after the publication of my latest book, Moya rang me to say she was coming to Sydney and was reading at Sapphos Wine Bar in Glebe and wanted me to read with her. I readily agreed and we had a great night in June reading, talking and catching up with friends. She will be missed.

A memorial for Moya will be held on Saturday 22 November at 2pm at the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club, Hawley Beach, Tasmania. More details here https://events.humanitix.com/moyas-memorial

A list of Moya’s books (many or which can be downloaded) is available from https://www.moyacostello.com/

 – Mark Roberts

Late in 1975, writing in the Nation Review after the fall of the Whitlam government, Mungo McCallum said there were two choices left: to commit suicide or leave the country. I leave the country.

I fly to Jakarta to teach English. The flight is spent on getting out of Australia: an empty continuum below of yellow plains.

I fly from a desert and land in the tropics. Palm trees dot the surroundings of the tarmac; small groups of crouching figures in wide bamboo hats are working away at its surface.

 – from Kites in Jakarta, Moya Costello, Sea Cruise Books 1985