After seven years in the position, Dr Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said it was time for someone with a fresh vision to lead the arts and literary organisation.

“It’s a good time to give the centre a new direction, and I want to pursue some of my own projects,” she said.

The SCWC supports and promotes young writers, poets and fiction writers from Helensburgh down to Bega with professional development networks and resources, book launches, festivals, and seminars. The organisation ran close to 200 activities last year alone.

Dr Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis’ proudest achievements from her time at the helm are fostering an Indigenous literary program and internship program for University of Wollongong students.

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“Graduates from uni can lack work experience and we kind of bridge that gap so people acquire the necessary skills to work in the industry,” she said.

The SCWC will be reaching out to the broader community for a new director, though Dr Krishnabhakdi-Vasilakis said they would need to be familiar with Australia’s arts and cultural landscape and have experience in grant writing.

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“In a climate of diminishing arts funding, [seeking sponsorship] has been instrumental to diversify income streams [for the centre],” she said.

“Writers’ centres nurture Australia’s literature by providing platforms for authors and thinkers, connecting them with the wider community.”

She said the spoken and written word were important tools to highlight issues that would otherwise go untouched; were tools of protest against injustice; and tools to paint a better world “through the power of words”.

Persons wishing to apply for director role should contact the SCWC directly.