The late Jill Blewett played an important role in the early development of the interpreting and translating profession in Australia. From 1976 she lectured and coordinated several Interpreting and Translating courses in Adelaide, and from 1979 she was involved with the accreditation of practitioners as a Director and member of several committees of NAATI, the national accreditation authority. Jill was an interpreting and translating practitioner and fought to establish high standards and to regulate the profession. Through her efforts, Australia is recognised internationally as being a leader in the field of community interpreting. She was admired by all who knew her for the concern she showed and the encouragement she gave to individuals.  As a tribute to Jill Blewett, AUSIT organises an annual Jill Blewett Memorial Lecture.

 

In 2010 the lecture will coincide with the national conference.

Peter Goldsworthy, renowned author and medical practitioner presented the Jill Blewett Memorial Lecture in 2009.

His affinity with different languages is displayed in his work “Wish” in which the protagonist is an Auslan interpreter. He has won major literary awards across a range of genres: poetry, short story, novel, opera and most recently in theatre. His novels have been translated into many European and Asian languages. In an interview for the radio program ‘Lingua Franca’ Peter considers what is gained rather than lost in translation. He compares the translation process toto a kind of rinse cycle.