Alternative NameCentre of Books, Writing and IdeasDescription
The Wheeler Centre, originally Centre of Books, Writing and Ideas, is a literary and publishing centre founded as part of Melbourne's bid to be a Unesco Creative City of Literature, which designation it earned in 2008. It is named after its patrons, Tony and Maureen Wheeler, founders of the Lonely Planet travel guides.
Opened in 2010, the centre is housed in the southern wing of the State Library of Victoria. As well as programming literary events, debates and awards, the centre hosts literary organisations including Express Media, the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Melbourne City of Literature Office, Australian Poetry, the Emerging Writers' Festival, the Small Press Network, and Writers Victoria.