A well-known Australian poet and literary figure, Professor Bruce Dawe (OA) is the recipient of the Patrick White Literary Award, the Australian Council for the Arts Emeritus Writers Award, the Centenary Medal, and the Order of Australia. He is also a highly distinguished teacher.

He began his career teaching English and history at Toowoomba’s Downlands College in 1969. In 1971, he was appointed as a lecturer in English literature at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education, and in 1987 was awarded the inaugural DDIAE Award for Excellence in Teaching. When the institution became the University of Southern Queensland he was named Associate Professor of English Literature, a discipline he taught until his retirement in 1993.

That same year, he began teaching literature in a voluntary capacity through the University of the Third Age, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the continuing education of retired community members. In 2001 he relocated to the Sunshine Coast, and for more than 15 years, Professor Dawe has volunteered to teach literature to local U3A students four terms per year.