The journal that's been empowering Deakin's creatives for four decades

The scene is 1986 underneath the verandas of what was then Victoria College in Toorak – now known as Deakin University – where writing students would sit their exams.   

It was at this beautiful and historic Australian site where students founded the Verandah Literary and Art Journal.  

Supporting students to achieve their artistic goals

Over its almost 40-year history, Deakin students have continued to lead the development of the annual Verandah Journal.  

From its first edition through to last year’s 39th issue, budding writers and artists have experienced the joy of being celebrated, networked and built their portfolio and professional presence in the literature and arts industries.   

Behind the scenes it has also given different students each year the opportunity to contribute their fresh ideas from the design through to production, while gaining rich work experience to boost their career journey.   

‘For me, it helped secure my first professional job in publishing, so the experience of being a Verandah editor can open doors.’ 

Editors of the past and present say…

Former editor Louisa Ragas looks back on co-editing Verandah 5, an early edition of the publication, as an exhilarating experience in the 19th century stables at Stonnington. Passionate about writing, Louisa developed publishing skills that resulted in a journal which sold in independent bookshops from Brunswick to Burwood.   

‘It’s clear the journal offers exceptional Deakin students a space to express themselves and the editorial team to ‘cut their teeth’ in the publishing arena,’ she said.  

‘For me, it helped secure my first professional job in publishing, so the experience of being a Verandah editor can open doors.’ 

Fast forward to today and Verandah still offers students wonderful possibilities to grow and be bold.  

For one of the publication’s current editors, Phoebe Smallwood, Verandah 38 was the first journal her work was published in – giving her the confidence to pursue further writing. ‘Being on the other side of that as an editor was incredibly rewarding. I had never done anything like this before, so it involved a steep learning curve, and I was able to acquire skills and knowledge I would never have picked up otherwise.’  

‘Verandah has been lifting voices for almost 40 years, establishing a long-lasting legacy of reflection and empowerment.’ 

‘‘Verandah has been lifting voices for almost 40 years, establishing a long-lasting legacy of reflection and empowerment.’ 

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‘Verandah is an incredible resource for Deakin students, and I urge every student to submit work to the next edition or apply to be in the next team of editors.’

Seven Watson, another current editor, expressed being involved in Verandah as a way they could give back. ‘I was lucky enough to have been published in Verandah 37, which gave me immense confidence in my writing, and pride in my work,’ they said.

‘I knew when the time came, I wanted to be on the other side of Verandah, so I could give the same experience to a new set of writers and am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so.’

‘Verandah is an incredible resource for Deakin students, and I urge every student to submit work to the next edition or apply to be in the next team of editors.’

Exciting moments ahead

This year’s edition will mark a special milestone for Verandah – celebrating 40 volumes of continuous student-led writing, creating, editing and publishing.   

If you’re interested in reading more about the annual journal or getting involved, visit the Verandah website.  

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