Background
Kevans was born in WestlakeCanberra in 1939. His mother, Mona, was the daughter of Alf Knight of northern
Kevans was born in WestlakeCanberra in 1939. His mother, Mona, was the daughter of Alf Knight of northern
1 Westlake and it was probably this cottage where he lived at Westlake. Today the site of his home is in the grounds of the Mexican Embassy Yarralumla. The sites of the majority of Westlake Cottages (1924-1965) are in the grounds of the nearby Stirling Park Yarralumla.(Ref: Westlake One of the Vanished Suburbs of Canberra - Gugler.
Denis attended Street Christopher"s Convent School at Manuka.
Upon leaving school he had continued success as a cricketer, being selected in the Prime Minister"s XI which played the touring English team in 1958. Kevans became active in left wing political and cultural movements, including the Realist Writers Group associated with the Communist Party of Australia and the Bush Music Club.
He wrote poems on a wide variety of political topics, but over time came to focus increasingly on environmental issues. A concert in honour of Kevans, planned to be an annual event is to be held on Anzac Day Eve, 24 April 2009.
Widely known as Australia"s "Poet Lorikeet", he wrote mainly on political and environmental topics, from a leftwing viewpoint.
Whilst initially studying medicine, he completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education while working on building sites and becoming a member of the NSW Builders Labourers Federation.