Author-Poet

Theresa A O'Dea was born on the 16 August 1962 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Theresa is an Australian Author and Poet who has been actively involved in the poetry and music scene since 1978. She is also a qualified Astrologer and Cosmobiologist.

Her poetry describes real life happenings. Theresa's main interest is in the realm of preventing family violence, which she has suffered from all of her life, and the social inequality of the world.

"Domestic Violence" can at most times be silent in that a lot of assaults, which can be verbal or mental and not just physical, are not reported to the appropriate legal authorities. Theresa sets an example to pursue a more positive outcome with this issue in society.

For family violence is a deadly killer within our society.

Ms O'Dea has turned her poetry on domestic violence into positive writings of hope and honesty.

Not all her poetry is on domestic violence as she does write about other areas of life such as love, happiness and other cultural matters in a respectful and positive way. But her passion in writing is to reflect on family breakdown within many societies. Her input to this breakdown of family values comes from her own pain and disappointment and the reflections of other people.

Up to date, Ms O'Dea has written and published 12 poetry books, two books on Astrology and Cosmobiology concepts, one novella on domestic violence, and one fiction book on social psychological inequality, and is still writing. At this point she has a total of 16 publications.

She is also the facilitator and creator of 'Hopeishope11' preventing violence against women and Ms O'Dea is and has been for many years, a valued associate of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous in Australia.

She notes that alcoholism and drug addiction are similar. The addiction to alcohol and drug use are both a mental illness.

The breakdowns from the alcoholic's use of alcohol is a progressive illness and a mental obsession. The drug addict breakdowns are the same, a mental obsession, a mental illness.

A newspaper article about a poets' group started by Ms O'Dea in Rosebud can be seen in Google+ whose software provides a readable image -

Southern Peninsula News (15 April 2014) Poets Unite

Also see -

Frankston and District Journal (10 December 2001) Cosmic girl

The man on the front covers of most of Theresa's poetry books was Paul Lombard and tragically, he died mysteriously on the 24th November 2000. He was only 26yrs of age.

He innocently made Victorian and Australian history back in 1998. That story will be told at a later date.

Theresa's own struggle with domestic violence is reflected in her collection of 11 poetry books and her two astrology books, with her theories and conventional hypotheses up to date.

All her books can be found at The National Library of Australia and all State libraries as well as local libraries.

They can be purchased by contacting the publisher (see below).

Ms O'Dea has performed in many venues around the Melbourne and Country circuits with her band, with which she has turned her poetry into musical tapestries.

Her CD is "poetry made into a marriage with music" as her then Manager "Sir Edward Floyd" stated. Mr. Floyd himself was a much respected music professional.

The CD was played a number of times on "RUSS KELLETT'S MUSIC" and "THE Asylum" on Channel 31. Her videos "Perfect Stranger" and "Farewell to a cigarette" are still being aired today.

Back in 1992 Ms O'Dea was selected among 5,000 other Australian Poets past and present to be in "The Whirling Spindle" published by The National Council of Women. A total of 46 female poets were included in the anthology which was edited by Joan Ackland. In the past, Theresa has been a reader for the "Glen Eira Literacy Awards" which she found to be very rewarding but challenging because there were so many talented writers that it was hard at times to pick and choose those who would be selected for certain awards in the appropriate categories.

Theresa is a full member of ASA and a full member of APRA and AMCOS. Theresa is also a certificated member of "membership author of copyright agency limited".

Ms O'Dea has struggled through horrific domestic violence, brought up three beautiful children on her own and despite all of this; she has still maintained her dignity to focus on her poetry to promote human rights and equality in our patriarchal system.

Theresa has performed at Federation Square as a poet musician and she is also a classically trained violinist.

She was the founder and director of the Poet's Corner in Mornington back in 1996 where a collaboration of local and other poets from all over Australia gathered to read their poetry.

Theresa's poetry has been read many times on National radio and her poetry has been praised all over the world.

Relics and her poetry books and the classic picture of "The Wedding Dress" for her poetry books are in the archives in the Museum of Victoria.

Ms O'Dea was nominated for judging for the Star Zone Walk Of Fame Local Legends in the Artistic Ventures. She was presented with an award and complimented for her contribution to Australian poetry.

On the 26 January 2012 Ms O'Dea was nominated for "CITIZEN OF THE YEAR" for the Mornington Peninsula Shire's 2012 Australia Day Local Awards.

Over the years, she has had the pleasure of meeting some of our most talented and dedicated authors here in Australia, such as Gary Disher who has six poetry books of Ms O'Dea's and also meeting the late Colleen McCullough, who also had six of O'Dea's trilogy of poetry books.

She also had the pleasure of meeting John Marsden our popular children's author.

Ms O'Dea also had the pleasure of being taught by the late Liam Davison who was tragically murdered on 17th July 2014 along with his wife. Frankie Davison in the Malaysian Airlines MH17 Flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Theresa O'Dea Australian poet/author songs - perfect stranger/farewell to a cigarette. National Library of Australia. YouTube and many other songs.

Corporate Printers/Publishers Phone (03) 9690-1166 Fax:(03)9690-2118

Theresa's books have also been stocked by the Collected Works Bookshop in Melbourne and Farrells Bookshop in Mornington.

For she does not vouch on ego nor voluntary gestures of that vein in human existence.

She writes with passion and true depth of feelings. For her poetry is honest and real but serene with humility.

FOR POETRY BOOKINGS

THERESA A O'DEA : MOBILE: 0416 866 699

Theresa O'Dea

Book Launch