Louise Wakeling (1950-2026).

An accomplished poet, novelist, academic and teacher, Louise was a fierce activist who hit the streets for many causes, including feminism, LGBTQI+ rights and opposing the atrocities in Gaza. These fights were carried on through her written work, of which there is still more to be published.

Louise graduated from UNSW with an Honours degree in English, followed by an MA Hons, a Dip.Ed and finally a PhD in Creative Writing. After a 5 year tutorship at UNSW, she taught English in high schools, became a sought-after tutor and a gun HSC marker.

In 1984 she published a joint poetry collection with Margaret Bradstock, small rebellions, and has three further poetry collections to her name, a novel, Saturn Return, and publications online and in journals such as The Best Australian Poems (2010), Antipodes (2011), Contemporary Poetry (2016), Caring for Country (2017), Live Encounters (2018), Wild Voices: An anthology on wildlife issues (2019), Messages from the Embers (2020), Rochford Street Review (2022) and Best Australian Science Writing (2022). A final poetry collection, Burning Piano, is forthcoming from Puncher & Wattmann.

Louise had a talent for friendship, and her loss will be mourned by many. She left us very peacefully, listening to some of her favourite music, and with a smile on her face.

 – Margaret Bradstock

For details of the celebration of Louise’s life and to read or leave a written tribute please click here https://rochfordstreetreview.com/2026/08/13/remembering-louise-wakeling/