The NSW Open State Championships have been a source of concern for some time and at one stage it looked like there wouldn’t even be a NSW competition at all. Even when they were awarded to Morisset, there was unease. Little help in the form of experienced organisers and virtually nil funds put enormous pressure on Hunter Bush Poets.

But it happened. And WOW, was a great success.

With the prime focus being on the poets, the aim was to run a competition that’s a fair and level playing field with reasonable remuneration - satisfying participants, organisers, sponsors and audience alike.

With a core of diehard workers, a handful of generous supporters, some innovative ideas and a heap of ‘paddling under water’ by the co-ordinator, the event, it would seem, passed with flying colours.

Friday night’s ‘Team Brawl’ themed as ‘The School Elocution Contest’
brought out some hilarious frivolity on stage as compere Carol Heuchan, in graduation gown and with excessive use of the cane, tried to control the out-of-control poets who threw themselves into the roles (in costume) of unruly school kids.

Great judges (Lenny Knight, Trisha Anderson, Alison Newman, Carol Heuchan) and careful planning meant the day went off like clockwork..

The event was well supported by poets and patrons – the latter just awed by the entertainment.

A sit-down dinner for over eighty was booked out months before and the town was well and truly able to cater to and accommodate others.

Carol diverted attention from a minor plumbing hitch during the day, by reciting “The Saga of Cecil” (thanks Milt)

Final event and presentation on the Saturday night was well attended and diligent scrutineers ensured a precision ceremony with certificates, cash prizes, Poet’s Corner wine, and three superb Championship Trophies. Club member Ted Wallace’s handcrafted, dovetailed, rosewood stationery boxes (and matching pens) were just the envy of all and carved with the windmill emblem of the Hunter Bush Poets on top.
The awards were fairly well distributed, with Sally Mitchell, Susan Carcary Gabby Colquhoun and Kath Edwards in the running but the Championship went to Susy. The men put up a great show with Greg North and Terry Regan neck and neck until a couple of hiccups from Greg sent the nod to Terry.

The Written offered a critique on every poem
. . . . a) . to give fair value for money
. . . . b) . to try to encourage a higher overall standard of Bush Poetry for the future and
. . . . c) . (in the words of Judge, Carol Heuchan) to share the love and help that she has been given.

She realised that many people do not really want a critique but expect to be told that they are ‘The New Lawson’ and she waited for the shrapnel but was delighted to receive dozens of emails and letters of thanks.

The top twenty poems were outstanding and two of the best writers in the country showed their expertise with Veronica Weal (Qld.) winning the Humorous and David Campbell (Vic.) the Serious and subsequently the Championship. Highest placed NSW writer was Ron Stevens.

Parties and singalongs followed every night (thanks to the great Lenny Knight) and Sunday had forty two turn up to the Brekky One Min. Brawl and laugh themselves silly.

Will it happen at Morisset next year??
Keep watching this space for the answer…….(Carol’s not talking yet)