Ozwords was a publication of the Australian National Dictionary Centre, a joint project of Oxford University Press and the Australian National University.
Ozwords began in 1989 as a simple typescript Australian National Dictionary Centre Newsletter with limited circulation. Its scope and production values increased with the number of subscribers [1] until it was re-booted as Ozwords Volume 1, Issue 1, of January 1994. [2] From October 1999 until 2019, it was published twice a year in April and October. [1]
Frederick Ludowyk[ citation needed] (1 September 1934 - 15 May 2012 [3]), writer and playwright, [4] edited the journal for some years. [5]
After 2012, it was also published online as a blog. [6] [7] Its last issue was Volume 28, Number 2 of October 2019, at which time it was being published twice a year. [1] [8]
The newsletter reported on activities of the centre, such as the retirement in 1994 of the director, Bill Ramson and the appointment of his successor, Bruce Moore, [9] and some advertising material, but also included essay-length articles on some aspect of Australian vernacular, letters to the editor, and a twice-yearly competition, the prize being a $100 discount on any OUP publication.
Subscription was free of charge, on receipt of a written or faxed request. [9]