Hal Porter

Harold Edward "Hal" Porter (16 February 1911 – 29 September 1984) was an Australian novelist, playwright, poet, and short story writer. He is known for his 1963 memoir, The Watcher on the Cast Iron Balcony. The Hal Porter Short Story Competition continues to honour his name, awarding a prize of $1000 to the writer of a short story each year.

Early life and education Harold Edward Porter was born on 16 February 1911 in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park, Victoria, the eldest child of six. His parents, both in Victoria, were railway employee Harold Owen Porter and Ida Violet (née Ruff). They first lived at 36 Bellair Street, Kensington. He was always known as "Hal". While at school in Bairnsdale, he started doing creative writing, getting pieces published in school magazines. In 1949–1950 he taught with the Allied occupation forces in Japan. and in the ABC studios for television on 2 December 1964.

His 1963 autobiography in three volumes, which includes The Watcher on the Cast-Iron Balcony (1963), The Paper Chase (1966), and The Extra (1975), covering his life up until the 1970s, is regarded as his masterpiece.

Themes and critical reception In his work, Porter explores themes of loss of innocence, illusion, and love. In some short stories, he writes nostalgically of childhood experiences. He also uses satire and social criticism. After lying in a coma for 14 months he died on 29 September 1984. The driver of the vehicle was fined $500, $150 for failing to stop after the accident and $100 for failing to give his name and address.

After Porter's death, his friend Mary Lord, who had full access to his papers, published a biography of Porter called Hal Porter: Man of Many Parts in 1993. This biography, while praising his literary accomplishments, also focuses on some negative aspects of Porter's personality.

Hal Porter Short Story Competition The life and work of Porter was honoured from around 1992 ) through the annual Hal Porter Short Story Competition, under the auspices of the and the Hill of Content Bookshop and the East Gippsland Art Gallery, in Bairnsdale, Victoria. In 2020 ( the last one published on the website) it offered a national prize of $1000 for the winner, Eden House (1969)

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