Reviewed by Rod McLary
Dorothy Porter is one of Australia’s most esteemed poets who received, among many other awards, the Christopher Brennan Award for a lifetime achievement in poetry. Dorothy – or Dod as she was affectionately called by her family – was ‘fuelled by a lusty human humour and a generously sharp-tongued spirit’ [Michael Brennan in Australia – Poetry International Web].
Dorothy’s humour and spirit are perfectly captured by this memoir written by her youngest sister Josie. As well as all the personal insights gained from a lifetime of being a sister, Josie brings to the memoir a deep understanding of the family dynamics sharpened by her psychotherapy training. It is indeed a magical combination and makes the memoir a joy to read. But life in the Porter family was not always pleasant. Dorothy’s father Chester – an esteemed barrister – was temperamental and his rages, sometimes over minor matters, kept his three daughters continually on edge. Each of the sisters had her own way of placating him and attempting to maintain some equilibrium in the household. But the effects of this family dynamic reverberated through the sisters’ lives for many years as Josie so skillfully sets out.
Dorothy wrote her first book, My Poket [sic] Book of Prayer, when she was six years old and presented it to her mother Jean. All her life, Jean treasured this ‘eccentric ecumenical prayer book’ [1] rightly believing that it was a foretaste of what was to come. When she was fourteen – with considerable prescience – Dorothy wrote in her diary I will be a writer [31]; and she continued daily entries in her diary until 2008. She believed her diaries were ‘a way of siphoning off … the self-indulgent crap’ of her life [32].
As well as her poetry, Dorothy also wrote libretti and lyrics for songs. The title of the memoir – Gutsy Girls – is taken from the song ‘Gutsy Girl’ in an opera entitled The Fiery Maze which Dorothy wrote with Tim Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House fame. The song concludes with these lines:
I’m not afraid of flying
On a full moon I take off
…
Try it, gutsy girl
Don’t forget, you gutsy girl
Try you, gutsy girl. [202]
But Gutsy Girls is not only about her family and her poetry, it also canvasses the history of her romantic life. Dorothy was an unashamed lesbian and, while she had long-term intimate relationships, she was also drawn into exciting and risky affairs. These sometimes challenged and at times damaged her more stable relationships; but somehow, Dorothy was able to salvage them. These long-lasting relationships became increasingly more important to her as she approached the end of her life. These women for whom Dorothy cared so much take their rightful place in the memoir alongside Dorothy’s family and her writing.
There are numerous extracts from both her published and unpublished works through the memoir – all of which demonstrate her immense talent. For those who are not familiar with Dorothy’s writing, this memoir is a fine introduction as it not only provides quotes from her writing but places them within a personal context. This adds a depth of meaning to her words which may not always be found in an anthology.
Josie McSkimming has crafted an intensely personal memoir of her older sister Dorothy Porter. It is not the definitive biography of one of Australia’s most important poets; nor is it a critical analysis of her poetry and libretti. It is not intended to be either. What it does is provide a rare glimpse into the interior life of Dorothy, her family and her lovers. Along the way, extracts from her writing enhance and are enhanced by the personal insights and hold up the quality of her work for admiration. If her place in the Australian canon was ever doubted, this memoir would go a long way to ensuring that she remains there.
Dorothy died from cancer on 10 December 2008 aged just 54; perhaps the last words should be hers: My poetry is full of ghosts and a very haunted place [231].
Gutsy Girls
[2025]
by Josie McSkimming
UQP
ISBN 978 070226 872 4
$34.99; 272pp