End of an Era: Meanjin Literary Journal’s Final Chapter After 85 Years of Australian Literature

A Historic Loss for Australian Literature

Meanjin, one of Australia’s longest-running literary magazines, which was established in 1940 in Brisbane and later moved to Melbourne in 1945, has been an editorially independent imprint of Melbourne University Publishing. The prestigious publication will cease operations after its final issue in December 2025, following Melbourne University Publishing’s decision to withdraw financial support.

Rich Cultural Heritage

The name ‘Meanjin’ derives from the Turrbal/Yagara word for the land where Brisbane now stands, and was established by Clem Christesen in December 1940. Throughout its history, it has served as a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal that balanced serious academic content with playful discourse, publishing philosophy, poetry, fiction, essays, memoirs, and other forms of writing.

The magazine has been instrumental in showcasing important new work by renowned Australian writers including A. D. Hope, James McAuley, Judith Wright, Patrick White, and Les Murray.

Impact and Legacy

According to Louise Adler, former CEO of MUP, the literary magazine landscape in Australia has faced challenges over the past decade due to declining subscribers and reduced government funding. As she notes, institutions like Meanjin are “easy to close down” but their replacements are “much harder to create.”

The closure has prompted strong reactions from the literary community. Sophie Cunningham, author and chair of the Australian Society of Authors, expressed deep sadness over the closure, noting that it “reinforces my sense that universities are no longer spaces that support or nurture literature or the arts in this country.”

Final Chapter

The decision is particularly poignant given that, as critics point out, the “paltry amount Meanjin requires on a yearly basis was small coin for the intellectual contribution the magazine, at its best, can make”. The publication has maintained a unique role in articulating the Australian cultural moment, and its closure marks the end of an era in Australian literary history.