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Neil Cole Neil Cole i(A49038 works by) (birth name: Neil Donald Cole)
Born: Established: 1957 Millicent, Beachport - Millicent area, South East South Australia, South Australia, ;
Gender: Male
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BiographyHistory

Neil Cole spent his childhood in Malaysia (where his father was a military policeman) and in Melbourne. After completing his secondary education at Flemington High School, Cole studied law at Melbourne University and established the Flemington Community Legal Service. In 1988 he was elected to the Victorian Parliament as the Labor member for the seat of Melbourne.

Cole was diagnosed in 1993 as manic depressive. He lost pre-selection for his seat in the lead-up to the 1999 election. After leaving parliament, Cole began working with the Mental Health Research Insititute at Monash University and, in 2006, was made associate professor.

During his parliamentary career, Cole had written plays and begun to have them produced. He continues to write plays and novels, and to explore the possibilities offered by creativity as a form of therapy for mental illness.

Source: Ian Munro, 'Change in Mind', Age, 'Insight' section (17 October 2009): 12.

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

Centenary Medal For service to Australian society and literature

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Alive at Williamstown Pier 1996 Haymarket : Esson Press , 1999 Z872773 1996 single work drama humour
1999 winner Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting
Last amended 7 Feb 2011 12:26:41
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