Valentine Vallis

Valentine Thomas Vallis (1916–2009) was a Queensland poet, lecturer and opera critic.

Early life Vallis was born in Gladstone, Queensland on 1 August 1916. His father, Michael was a fisherman and wharf worker. Vallis wrote of his father, mother Daisy and siblings in a number of his poems. After attending Gladstone State School and studying secretarial work at Rockhampton High School (1929-1932), Vallis became a clerk in the Gladstone Town Council. His unit's major, Tom Inglis Moore who was working with the Australian Army Education Service during World War II, encouraged him to write and read American poetry.

Following his war service, Vallis enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland, studying philosophy and English. He won the Monteith Prize for English in 1947 He published his first book of poetry, Songs of the East Coast in 1947. He graduated with first class honours in philosophy in 1950. He was appointed to an Assistant Lecturer position in Philosophy, while he continued study toward his M.A. which he took in 1953. at the University of London, where he took his PhD in philosophy and in particular, aesthetics in 1955. He retired as Reader in 1981. His second book of poetry, Dark Wind Blowing was published in 1961. He edited The Queensland centenary anthology with R.S. Byrnes in 1959. Vallis' poems would feature on the Queensland Secondary School Curriculum for many years. His poem, Changi Chimes has been translated into Italian for the journal, Crocevia. His lectures at the University during the 1950s and 1960s would feature spirited debates with colleague, Cecil Hadgraft.

Literary circle Vallis was a member of a distinguished group of poets and writers, including Judith Wright, Gordon Fleet, David Malouf, Arthur Prior and Ken Hamilton. and he sought to have her work gain the respect he thought it deserved, especially in regard to the creation of the literary journal Meanjin.

In 1958, Vallis' friend, Kathleen Campbell-Brown He maintained a second home at Mt Tamborine for some years.

Later life After his retirement from the University, Vallis taught a history of opera subject to students of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

Legacy A poetry award, the Queensland Arts Val Vallis Award for Unpublished Poetry is offered each year.

He was honoured with a footpath plaque in Albert Street, Brisbane, on the Queensland Literary Trail in 1996.

Oral History Vallis was interviewed in 1980 by Hazel de Berg about his writing and career. He also reads a few of his poems. He was interviewed in 1986 by Barbara Blackman about his life and early childhood. These interviews can be found at the National Library of Australia.

Works

Vallis, Val (1988) Heart reasons, these: commentaries on five Australian poet. Foundation for Australian Literary Studies. 9780864432803