AustLit

'As one of the nation's oldest progressive literary institutions. Overland has been part of the intellectual and creative fabric and output of Melbourne for over half a century. Overland was first established in 1954, under the auspices of the Realist Writers Group in Melbourne. with Melbournian writer and activist Stephen Murray-Smith as the first editor-in-chief. In Overland's first edition, Murray-Smith wrote that the Journal would always endeavour to publish poetry and short stories. articles and criticism by new and by established writers. He wrote that 'It will aim high ... (bull will make a special point of developing writing talent in people of diverse backgrounds'. ' (Introduction)