Australian Bush Poetry Events Calendar
For entry forms or further information, click on the link below the respective event.
For any updates or corrections, contact the webmaster.
WRITTEN COMPETITIONS are in PURPLE
April 2025
10-13 April — Man from Snowy River Bush Festival (incorporating the Victorian Bush Poetry Championships). Performance & Written Competitions. Corryong, Victoria. See 28 February Closing Date.
February 2025
28 February — Closing Date — Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Performance &
Written Competitions. Corryong, Victoria.
INFO
PROGRAM
ENTRY FORM - ADULT WRITTEN
PDF
ENTRY FORM - ADULT PERFORMANCE
PDF
ENTRY FORM - JUNIOR
PDF
JUDGING SHEETS (PDF)
MFSR RECITAL AUDIO
MFSR RECITAL LIVE
PERFORMANCE
WRITTEN
YARNSPINNING
December 2024
13 December — Closing Date — Chinchilla Melon Festival Little Pips Children’s
Written Bush Poetry Competition, Chinchilla, Queensland.
ENTRY FORM
NOVEMBER 2024
30 November — 2025 Blackened Billy Verse Competition (presentations online).
ENTRY PACK
22-24 November — Tolmie Bush Entertainment Muster, Tolmie, Victoria.
WEB
16-18 November — Australian Poetry Film Festival, Best Australian Poetry Film, Bush Poetry Film, Student Poetry Film,
Guyra NSW. See 30 June Earlybird Deadline, 30 September Regular Deadline, 12 November Late Entries Deadline.
WEB
12 November — Late Entries Deadline — Australian Poetry Film Festival, Guyra NSW.
WEB
8-10 November — WA State Championships, performance and written, Toodyay, WA.
See 1 October closing date for Silver Quill written competition and 30 October closing date for performance.
OCTOBER 2024
31 October — Closing Date — Rae Alison Cerhan Australiana Ballad Poetry Competition, Kew, NSW.
WEB
30 October — Closing Date — WA State Championships for performance, Toodyay, WA.
ENTRY FORM
13 October — Closing Date — The Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize, Ballarat, Victoria.
WEB
11 October — Closing Date — Lambing Flat Young FAW Writing Competition, Young, NSW.
ENTRY FORM
1 October — Closing Date — Silver Quill written competition, Toodyay, WA.
CONDITIONS
ENTRY FORM
SEPTEMBER 2024
30 September — Regular Deadline — Australian Poetry Film Festival, Guyra NSW.
WEB
Results
For the results of an event, click on the link below the event. A pdf (or web link) will open in a new window.
Results are displayed in reverse chronological order (most recent at the top).
RESULTS OF 2024 EVENTS
October — The Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram, Victoria.
RESULTS
21 September — Logan Muddy River Performance Poetry Competition, Springwood, Queensland.
RESULTS
11 September — Winton Junior Bush Poetry Festival, Winton, Queensland.
RESULTS
25 August — Bronze Spur written poetry competition, Camooweal, Queensland.
RESULTS
August — Scribes Writers Poetry Competition, Geelong, Victoria.
RESULTS
18 August — Brisbane EKKA bush poetry competition, Brisbane, Queensland
RESULTS
3 August — Banjo Paterson Writing Awards, Orange, NSW.
RESULTS
August — Eastwood/Hills FAW Literary Competitions, Sydney, NSW.
RESULTS
5 July — Cloncurry Prize Poetry Competition, Cloncurry, Queensland.
RESULTS (WEB)
28 June — Laura Literary Awards, Laura, SA.
RESULTS
7 June — Bronze Swagman Award, Winton, Queensland.
RESULTS
3 June — Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of the Arts, Grenfell, NSW.
RESULTS
26 April — Boondooma Homestead Bush Poetry Competition, Boondooma, Queensland.
RESULTS
14 April — Victorian State Championships at The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong, Victoria.
RESULTS
7 April — Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush Festival, Tenterfield, NSW.
RESULTS
6 April — Kilkivan Great Horse Ride poetry competition, Kilkivan, Queensland.
RESULTS (WEB)
March — Mulga Bill Writing Award, Bendigo, Victoria.
RESULTS (WEB)
2 March — Milton Show Poetry Competitions, Milton, NSW.
RESULTS
21 February — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, awarded at Banjo Paterson Festival, Orange, NSW.
RESULTS AND POEM
26 January — Frank Daniel Award, Tamworth, NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2023 EVENTS
3 December — Lambing Flat Young FAW NSW Writing Competition, Young, NSW.
RESULTS
19 November — Poets on The Mountain Festival @Guyra including ABPA NSW Bush Poetry Championship
and inaugural Australian Bush Poetry Film Festival, Guyra, NSW.
RESULTS
5 November — WA State Performance Championships, Toodyay, WA.
RESULTS
5 November — Silver Quill written competition, Toodyay, WA.
RESULTS
4 November — Sutherland Shire Literary Competition, Sutherland NSW
RESULTS
November — Lane Cove Literary Awards, Lane Cove, NSW.
RESULTS
15 October — The Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram, Victoria.
RESULTS
1 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
24 September —Logan’s Muddy River Performance Bush Poetry Competition, Beenleigh, Queensland.
RESULTS
24 September — King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge written and yarnspinning competitions, Murrurundi, NSW.
RESULTS
27 August — Bronze Spur written poetry Award, Camooweal, Queensland.
RESULTS
13 August — EKKA Bush Poetry Competition – virtual and live, Brisbane, Queensland.
RESULTS
10 August — Eastwood Hills Literary Competition and Boree Log Written Bush Verse Competition, Sydney, NSW.
RESULTS
29 July — Laura Literary Awards, Crystal Brook, SA.
RESULTS
8-9 July — Linville Bush Poets Bash, Linville Queensland.
REPORT
VIDEO
25 June — Cloncurry Prize Poetry Competition, Cloncurry Queensland.
RESULTS & JUDGE’S REPORT
24 June — Under the Silver Tree Poetry Competition, Broken Hill NSW.
RESULTS
14 June — Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Verse 2023, Winton Queensland
RESULTS
12 June — Henry Lawson Festival of Arts, Grenfell, NSW.
RESULTS
20 May — Ipswich Show Bush Poetry Performance Competition, Ipswich Queensland.
RESULTS
16 April — Man from Snowy River Bush Poetry & Music Competition, Corryong, Victoria.
RESULTS
2 April — Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
REPORT
5 March — Milton Show Bush Poetry, Milton NSW.
RESULTS
3 February — ABPA National Bush Poetry Performance Championships, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
2 February — Blackened Billy Verse Competition Awards, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
20 January — Frank Daniel Award Walk-up and Open Mic competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2022 EVENTS
19 December — Lambing Flat FAW Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
6 November — WA State Championships for performance and Silver Quill written written bush poetry competition, Bateman WA.
RESULTS
WRITTEN
14 October — The Bette Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
2 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
10 September — Muddy River Bush Poetry Festival incorporating the Queensland Bush Poetry Performance Championships,
Beenleigh Queensland.
RESULTS
August — Eastwood/Hills FAW Boree Log Award for written bush poetry, Sydney NSW.
RESULTS
28 August — Bronze Spur Award, Camooweal Queensland.
RESULTS
7 August — EKKA Bush Poetry Competition, Brisbane Queensland.
RESULTS
27 June — Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Verse, Winton Queensland.
RESULTS
April — Laura Literary Awards, Laura SA.
RESULTS
14 April — Silver Tree Poetry Competition, Broken Hill NSW.
RESULTS
10 April — Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
JUNIOR
3 April — Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush Festival, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
March — Mulga Bill Writing Award, Bendigo Victoria.
RESULTS
18 March — Cloncurry Prize Poetry Competition, Cloncurry Queensland.
RESULTS
February — Boyup Brook Written Competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
February — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, Gladstone Queensland.
RESULTS
February — Banjo Paterson Festival, Orange NSW.
REPORT & RESULTS
30 January — Kembla Flame Written Poetry Competition, Corrimal NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2021 EVENTS
5 December — Lambing Flat FAW & National Cherry Festival Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
21 November — Toolangi C J Dennis Poetry Competition, Healesville Victoria.
RESULTS
13 November — Ipswich Poetry Feast, Ipswich Queensland.
RESULTS
7 November — Silver Quill written competition, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
7 November — WA State Championships, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
PHOTOS
24 October — Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
22 October — Cervantes Art Festival Bush Poetry Competition, Cervantes WA.
RESULTS & JUDGE’S REPORT
3 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS & JUDGE’S REPORT
25 September — King of the Ranges Bush Festival written bush poetry competition, Murrurundi NSW.
RESULTS & JUDGE’S REPORT
September — 50th Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Verse, Winton Queensland.
RESULTS
September — Adelaide Plains Poetry Competition, Redbanks SA.
RESULTS
12 September — Logan’s Muddy River Queensland Championships Performance Bush Poetry Competition, Beenleigh
Queensland.
RESULTS
28 August — Bronze Spur Award, Camooweal Queensland.
RESULTS
20 August — Sutherland Shire Literary Competition, Sutherland NSW.
RESULTS
7 August — Eastwood/ Hills FAW Annual Literary Competition, Eastwood NSW.
RESULTS
4 July — Golden Wattle and Queensland State Championships for written bush poetry, North Pine, Queensland.
RESULTS
May — Eyre Writers Literary Awards 2021, Port Lincoln, SA.
RESULTS
11 April — Man from Snowy River Bush Poetry & Music Competition, Corryong, Victoria.
RESULTS
REPORT
28 March — Oracles of the Bush performance and written competitions, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
22 March — ‘Cloncurry Prize — Spirit of the Outback’ poetry competition. Cloncurry Queensland.
RESULTS
17 February — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, Gladstone Qld.
RESULTS
JUDGES’ REPORT
6 February — Kembla Flame written bush poetry competition, East Corrimal NSW.
RESULTS
26 January — Dusty Swag Awards, Portarlington Victoria.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2020 EVENTS
December — Lambing Flat Regional FAW Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
November — C J Dennis Poetry Competition. Toolangi, Victoria.
RESULTS
1 November — WA State Championships, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
1 November — Silver Quill Written Competition. Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
31 October — Bronze Swagman Junior Performance Bush Poetry digital competition, Winton Queensland.
RESULTS
23 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast Writing Competition. Ipswich Queensland.
RESULTS
21 October — Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
11—13 September — Logan Bush Poets Annual Bush Poetry Competition. Performance and written. Logan
Queensland.
RESULTS AND REPORT
August — Bronze Spur Award, Camooweal Queensland.
RESULTS
August — Brisbane EKKA Royal Queensland Show Bush Poetry competition, Brisbane Qld.
RESULTS (with video)
Article on Champion John Davis
2 August — Adelaide Plains Poetry Competition, Redbanks SA.
RESULTS
1 August — Eastwood Hills FAW Boree Log Award,Sydney NSW.
RESULTS
July — 49th Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Verse, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
June — Laura Literary Awards, Laura SA.
RESULTS
April — Sutherland Shire Literary Competition, Sutherland NSW.
RESULTS
April — Tom Collins Poetry Prize, Swanbourne WA.
RESULTS
5 April — Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush Festival (written only), Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
7 March — Milton Show open performance poetry competition, Milton NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
27 February — King of the Ranges Festival Bush Poetry Competition, Murrurundi NSW.
RESULTS
REPORT
22 February — Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
20 February — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
16 February — Boyup Brook Country Music Festival Written Bush Poetry Competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
23 January — Golden Damper and Frank Daniel Award performance competitions, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
12 January — Kembla Flame written bush poetry competition, Minnamurra, NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2019 EVENTS
8 December — Lambing Flat FAW Cherry Festival Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
1 December — Jackie’s Spring Competition.
RESULTS
1 December — Toolangi C J Dennis Poetry Competition, Healesville Victoria.
RESULTS
3 November — WA Bush Poetry Championships — Silver Quill written and performance competitions,
Toodyay WA.
RESULTS — WRITTEN
PERFORMANCE
1 November — Ipswich Poetry Feast written competition, Ipswich Qld.
RESULTS
18 October — Cervantes Festival of Art written bush poetry competition, Cervantes WA.
RESULTS AND REPORT
17 October — The Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
13 October — Victorian Song Championships and bush poetry at Benalla Muster, Victoria.
RESULTS
7 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
8 September — Queensland Bush Poetry Championships, Beenleigh Queensland.
REPORT AND RESULTS
26 August — Camooweal Drovers’ Camp Festival and Bronze Spur Award, Camooweal Qld.
REPORT & RESULTS
24 August — Eastwood/Hills FAW Boree Log competition, Sydney NSW.
RESULTS
4 August — Adelaide Plains Poets Inc ‘Location’ Poetry Competition, Redbanks SA.
RESULTS
30 July — The Bronze Swagman Award for written bush verse, Winton Queensland.
RESULTS
10 July — Laura Literary Awards, Laura SA.
RESULTS
1 July — Henry Lawson Memorial & Literary Society Poetry Competition 2019, Brighton Victoria.
RESULTS
5 June — Gulgong Literary Awards, Gulgong NSW.
HUMOROUS
SERIOUS
3 June — Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival Verse and Short Story Competition, Grenfell NSW.
RESULTS
7 April — Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
REPORT
WRITTEN
7 April — Oracles of the Bush Festival, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
15 March — John O’Brien Bush Festival, Narrandera NSW.
RESULTS
3 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival performance and written competitions, Dunedoo NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
2 March — Milton Show Poets’ Breakfast walk—up and open performance competitions, Milton NSW.
REPORT & RESULTS
23 February — Orange Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry performance competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
17 February — Boyup Brook Country Music Festival Written Competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
25 January — Golden Damper Performance Competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
25 January — Blackened Billy Written Verse Competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
20 January — Jackie’s Spring Poetry and Verse Stories for Kids Competition.
RESULTS
18 January — Kembla Flame Written Bush Poetry Competition, Minnamurra NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2018 EVENTS
2 December — Lambing Flat Fellowship of Australian Writers Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
4 November — WA Bush Poetry State Championships and Silver Quill written competition, Toodyay WA.
WRITTEN RESULTS
REPORT AND PERFORMANCE RESULTS
21 October — C J Dennis Poetry Festival competition, Toolangi, Victoria.
RESULTS
19 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast, Ipswich Qld.
RESULTS
18 October — Betty Olle Award Poetry Award. Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
6 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition. Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
20 September — Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Awards — Junior Festival, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
9 September — Logan Performance Bush Poets performance competition, Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum Qld.
RESULTS
September — Milton-Ulladulla Junior Written Poetry Competition, Milton-Ulladulla NSW.
RESULTS
26 August — Drovers Camp Festival Talent Award, Camooweal Qld.
RESULTS
26 August — Bronze Spur Award, Camooweal Qld.
REPORT & RESULTS
21 August — Sutherland Shire Literary Competition, Sutherland NSW.
REPORT & RESULTS
WEB
10 August — Eastwood Hills FAW Literary Competition, Eastwood NSW.
RESULTS & REPORT
13 July — Griffith Riverina FAW Literary Competition, Griffith NSW.
RESULTS
7 July — Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Poetry, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
9 June — Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell NSW.
RESULTS
2 June — Laura Literary Awards, Crystal Brook SA.
RESULTS
25 May — Gulgong Henry Lawson Literary Awards, Gulgong NSW.
RESULTS
3 May — Mudgee Valley Writers Youth Literary Award, Mudgee NSW.
RESULTS
6-8 April — Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush festival, Tenterfield NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
5-8 April — Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
16-18 March — John O’Brien Bush Festival, Narrandera NSW.
RESULTS
4 March — Eyre Writers Awards, Port Lincoln SA.
RESULTS
4 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival, Dunedoo NSW.
RESULTS
3 March — Milton Show Poetry Competition, Milton NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
18 February — Boyup Brook Country Music Festival written bush poetry competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
17 February — Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
27 January — Golden Damper Awards for Performance Bush Poetry and Frank Daniel Award, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
26 January — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, Tamworth NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
21 January — Kembla Flame Written Bush Poetry Competition, Illawarra Folk Festival, Bulli NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2017 EVENTS
December 2017 — Tom Collins Poetry Competition, Swanbourne WA.
RESULTS
3 December — South West Slopes Credit Union Writing Competition. Short story and poetry sections, Young NSW.
RESULTS
5 November — ABPA National Bush Poetry Championships, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
5 November — Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards, Dubbo NSW.
RESULTS
20-29 October — Cervantes Festival of Art, Cervantes WA.
RESULTS
21 October — Toolangi C J Dennis Poetry Competition, Toolangi Victoria.
RESULTS
19 October — The Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Victoria.
RESULTS
13 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast, Ipswich Qld.
RESULTS
8 October — VBPMA Aussie Entertainment Muster and Victorian Song Championships, Benalla Vic.
RESULTS
1 October — Nandewar Written Bush Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
17 September — Townsville Eistedfodd, Townsville Qld.
REPORT AND RESULTS
16 September — Henry Lawson Memorial and Literary Society Verse and Story Award, Brighton Vic.
RESULTS
14 September — 22nd Annual Waltzing Matilda Junior Bush Poetry Festival, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
11 September — Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Poetry, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
9 September — Milton Show Society Junior Poetry Competitions, Milton NSW.
RESULTS
27 August Camooweal Drovers’ Camp Festival, Camooweal Qld.
REPORT AND RESULTS
22 July — Banjo Paterson Writing Awards, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
19 August — Words in Winter Trentham Bush Poetry Competition — original and performance, Trentham Victoria.
RESULTS
15 July — Kununurra Agricultural Society’s annual ag show poetry and yarn competition, Kununurra WA.
RESULTS
6 July — Bronze Swagman Award, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
5 August — Eastwood Hills Annual Literary Competition, Eastwood NSW.
RESULTS
1 July — Henry Kendall Poetry Award, Gosford NSW.
RESULTS
16 June — Poetry by the River, Bush poetry picnic event run by Beaudesert Bush Bards.
REPORT
12 June — Perisher Peak Festival Broken Ski Award and Snowy Poetry Cup, Perisher Valley NSW.
RESULTS
12 June — Henry Lawson Festival Verse and Short Story Competition, Grenfell NSW.
RESULTS
11 June — Henry Lawson Society Literary Awards performance and written, Gulgong NSW.
RESULTS
30 May — Adelaide Plains poetry competition, Redbanks SA.
RESULTS
29 May — Dusty Swag Awards written poetry competition, Portarlington Vic.
RESULTS
29 April — Laura Literary Awards, Crystal Brook SA.
RESULTS
25 April — Boondooma Homestead Anzac Poetry Competition, Boondooma Qld.
RESULTS
2 April — Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
2 April — Man From Snowy River Bush Festival and ABPA Victorian State Championship, Corryong Vic.
RESULTS
4 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival written competition, Dunedoo NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
4 March — Milton Show Adult Performance Bush Poetry Competition, Milton NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
19 February — Boyup Brook Country Music Festival Writers Competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
18 February — Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
28 January — Tamworth Country Music Festival — Blackened Billy written verse competition,
Golden Damper performance poetry competition, Inaugural Frank Daniel People’s Choice walk-up Award
and 2017 ABPA Committee members, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
27 January — Blackened Billy Verse Competition,
Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
13 January — Kembla Flame written bush poetry competition,
Illawarra NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2016 EVENTS
4 December — Lambing Flat Regional FAW Writing Competition, Young NSW.
RESULTS
6 November — ABPA WA Championships, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS
6 November — Rolf Boldrewood Awards, Dubbo NSW.
RESULTS
23 October — C J Dennis Poetry Festival, Toolangi Vic.
REPORT AND RESULTS
21 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast, Ipswich Qld.
RESULTS
13 October — Betty Olle Poetry Award, Kyabram Vic.
RESULTS
7-9 October — Aussie Entertainment Muster — Victorian Song Championship, Benalla Victoria.
RESULTS AND REPORT
3 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
11 September — ABPA NSW Bush Poetry Championships and Binalong Poetry Prize, Binalong NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
11 September — Logan Village Music and Heritage Festival Bush Poetry Competition, Logan Village Qld.
RESULTS AND REPORT
28 August — Drovers’ Camp Talent Award and Bronze Spur written competition at Drovers’ Reunion,
Camooweal Qld.
RESULTS AND REPORT
13 August — ‘Copper Croc’ Poetry Awards, Theodore Qld.
RESULTS AND REPORT
6 August — FAW Eastwood Hills Boree Log Award for Bush Verse, Sydney NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
9 July — Banjo Paterson Writing Awards, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
9 July — Bronze Swagman Award, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
1-3 July — Bundy Bush Poetry Muster, Bundaberg Qld.
RESULTS
13 June — Perisher Peak Festival Broken Ski Poetry Award, Perisher Valley NSW.
RESULTS
12 June — Festival of the Fleeces Poets’ Breakfast, Merriwa NSW.
RESULTS
12 June — Grenfell Henry Lawson Society Literary Awards, Grenfell NSW.
RESULTS
11 June — Henry Lawson Society Literary Awards, Gulgong NSW.
RESULTS
1 May — Rathdowney Bush Poetry Competition, Rathdowney Qld.
RESULTS
3 April — Man from Snowy River Bush Festival (incorporating the Victorian Bush Poetry Championships
2016), Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
JUNIOR
3 April — Oracles of the Bush Festival, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
18-20 March — John O’Brien Festival, Narrandera NSW.
RESULTS
6 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival, Dunedoo NSW.
RESULTS
WRITTEN
21 February — Boyup Brook Written Bush Poetry Competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS
21 February — Banjo Paterson Bush Poetry Competition, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
23 January — ABPA Golden Damper Bush Poetry Performance Competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
22 January — Blackened Billy Verse Competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2015 EVENTS
5 December — Young Cherry Festival, Young NSW.
RESULTS — WRITTEN
RESULTS — PERFORMANCE
1 November — WA State Championships, Toodyay WA.
RESULTS — WRITTEN
RESULTS — PERFORMANCE
1 November — Festival of Art Bush Poetry Competition, Cervantes WA.
RESULTS
November — Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards
RESULTS
23 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast Poetry Writing Competition, Ipswich, Qld.
RESULTS
WEBSITE
17-18 October — Nandewar poetry competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
17-18 October — Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival poetry competitions, Kangaroo Valley NSW.
RESULTS
17 October — Toolangi C.J. Dennis Poetry Festival written poetry competition, Toolangi Victoria.
RESULTS
WEBSITE
9 October — Rutherglen Agricultural Show Bush Poetry Competition, Rutherglen Victoria.
RESULTS
28 September — Gilgandra Coo-ee Festival Written Bush Poetry, Gilgandra NSW.
RESULTS
4 September — Kembla Flame and Kembla Star Written Bush Poetry Competition presented at Folk By The Sea Festival,
Kiama NSW.
RESULTS
28-30 August — North Pine Bush Poets Camp Oven Festival, Kalangur Qld.
RESULTS
21-23 August — Camooweal Drovers Camp Festival, Camooweal Qld.
RESULTS
REPORT
8 August — EKKA Bush Poetry Competition, Brisbane Qld.
RESULTS AND REPORT
1 August — Eastwood/Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Boree Log Award for Bush Verse 2015, Eastwood NSW.
RESULTS
3-5 July — Bundy Bush Poetry Muster and Queensland Championships, Bundaberg Qld.
RESULTS
REPORT
23 June — Orange Banjo Paterson Literary Awards, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
20 June — National Henry Lawson Society Poetry Competition, Melbourne Victoria.
RESULTS
6-8 June — Henry Lawson Poetry Awards, Gulgong NSW.
RESULTS
6-8 June — Grenfell Henry Lawson Literary Awards, Grenfell NSW.
RESULTS
5-8 June — Perisher Peak Festival, Perisher Valley NSW.
RESULTS
June — 44th Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Poetry, Winton Queensland.
RESULTS
8 May — Copper Croc Poetry Awards, Theodore Queensland.
RESULTS
9-12 April — Australian Bush Poetry Championships at The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
5 April — Rathdowney Heritage and Country Market bush poetry competition, Rathdowney Queensland.
RESULTS
26-29 March — Oracles of the Bush in Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
18 March — Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival Literary Competition, Eaglehawk Victoria.
RESULTS
13-15 March — John O’Brien Festival at Narrandera NSW.
RESULTS
8 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival, Dunedoo NSW.
RESULTS
REPORT
21 February — Milton Show Society Bush Poetry Adult Performance Competition, Milton NSW.
RESULTS
17 February — Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition 2015, Orange NSW.
RESULTS
15 February — Boyup Brook written bush poetry competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS AND REPORT
24 January — Golden Damper performace bush poetry award, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
23 January — Blackened Billy written competition, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
21 January — ABPA fund-raising concert, Tamworth NSW.
REPORT
20 January — Australian Bush Laureate Awards 2015, Tamworth NSW.
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2014 EVENTS
December — Finalists announced for Australian Bush Laureate Awards 2015,
presented on Tuesday 20th January 2015 at Town Hall Tamworth NSW.
WEBSITE
6 December — Young Cherry Festival Bush Poetry Competition and poets breakfast, Young NSW.
RESULTS
December — Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards, Dubbo NSW.
RESULTS
PDF
26 October — WA State Championships, Toodyay Bush Poetry Festival, Toodyay WA.
REPORT AND RESULTS
25 October — Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival Poets Breakfast Competition in Dorrigo NSW.
RESULTS
24 October — Ipswich Poetry Feast — Poetry Writing Competition, Ipswich Queensland.
RESULTS
19 October — Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival Written Poetry Competition, Kangaroo Valley NSW.
RESULTS
18 October — Toolangi CJ Dennis written Poetry Competition, Toolangi Victoria.
RESULTS
12 October — Aussie Bush Entertainment Muster, Benalla Victoria.
REPORT AND RESULTS
5 October — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
28 September — Gilgandra Coo-ee Festival written poetry competition, Gilgandra NSW.
RESULTS
14 September — Logan Village Music and Heritage Festival. Performance bush poetry competition, Logan Queensland.
RESULTS
12-14 September — Binalong Bush Poetry Prize and NSW Championship, Binalong NSW.
RESULTS
23-24 August — Camooweal Drovers’ Camp Festival and Bronze Spur Award for written poetry, Camooweal Queensland.
RESULTS
22-24 August — North Pine Bush Poetry Festival and Graham Fredriksen Memorial Written Bush Poetry Competition, Kallangur Queensland.
RESULTS
15 August — FAW North Shore Vibrant Verse Poetry Competition 2014, Sydney NSW.
RESULTS
5 August — Mudgee Valley Writers 13th Biennial Competition, Mudgee NSW.
RESULTS
2 August — Eastwood/Hills NSW Fellowship of Australian Writers Boree Log Award for Bush Poetry 2014
RESULTS
20 July — ‘Kembla Flame’ written bush poetry award on the Illawarra coast of NSW.
RESULTS
4-6 July — 19th Bundy Bush Poetry Muster incorporating Queensland State Performance Championships.
RESULTS
June — Bronze Swagman Award for Bush Poetry in Winton Outback Queensland.
RESULTS
6-9 June — Gulgong Henry LawsonSociety of NSW Literary Awards in Gulgong NSW.
RESULTS
6-9 June — Broken Ski and Snowy Poetry Cup Awards at the Perisher Peak Festival, NSW.
RESULTS
26 April — Copper Croc Poetry Awards, Theodore QLD.
RESULTS AND Judges’s Report
3-6 April — Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong Victoria.
RESULTS
6 April — Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW.
RESULTS
March — Free Xpression Magazine Literary Competition
RESULTS
March — Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival, Eaglehawk Victoria.
RESULTS
March — Eyre Writers Awards, Port Lincoln SA.
RESULTS
16 March — Yass Show Poetry Performance and Written Competition, Yass NSW.
RESULTS AND JUDGE’S REPORT
13-16 March — John O’Brien Festival, Narrandera NSW.
RESULTS
27 February - 2 March — Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival, Dunedoo NSW.
REPORT AND RESULTS
February 2014 — Boyup Brook Country Music Festival written competition, Boyup Brook WA.
RESULTS AND JUDGE’S Report
January 2014 — Essential Energy Golden Damper performance competition and Blackened Billy written
poetry award, Tamworth NSW
RESULTS
January 2014 — Australian Bush Laureate Awards, Tamworth NSW
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2013 EVENTS
November 2013 — Toodyay WA Bush Poetry Festival
RESULTS (Link to their web page)
October 2013 — The International Cowboy Written Results
RESULTS, Report and Winning Poem
October 2013 — Cervantes WA written competition
RESULTS
April 2013 — The Inaugural ‘Copper Croc Poetry Awards’
REPORT AND RESULTS
April 2013 — Tumut Festival of The Falling Leaf
REPORT
April 2013 — Victorian Bush Poetry Championships at Man from Snowy River Festival
REPORT AND RESULTS
March 2013 — Yass Show Poetry Comp
REPORT AND RESULTS
March 2013 — Adelong Show “Best of the Bush” Bush Poetry Competition
REPORT AND RESULTS
January 2013 — Tamworth Blackened Billy Verse Competition and ABPA Golden Damper Awards
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2012 EVENTS
October 2012 — Cervantes Art Festival, WA.
RESULTS
October 2012 — Hunter Bush Poets Poetry Festival, Mandalong NSW.
RESULTS AND REPORT
October 2012 — Nandewar Poetry Competition, Narrabri NSW.
RESULTS
August 2012 — Camooweal Drovers Camp Festival, Camooweal Qld.
RESULTS
July 2012 — ABC Radio Far North Queensland Bush Poetry Competition.
RESULTS
July 2012 — Kembla Flame, Dapto NSW.
RESULTS
July 2012 — Bundaberg Bush Poets Muster, Bundaberg Qld.
RESULTS
May 2012 — Beef Australia, Rockhampton Qld.
RESULTS
April 2012 — Australian Bush Poetry Championships Man From Snowy River Festival, Corryong Victoria
ADULT RESULTS
JUNIOR RESULTS
March 2012 — Dunedoo Written Bush Poetry Results 2012
RESULTS
March 2012 — 17th Annual Junior Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Awards, Winton Qld.
RESULTS
February 2012 — Boyup Brook Written Poetry Results 2012
RESULTS
January 2012 — Tamworth Blackened Billy Verse Competition
RESULTS
2012 ESSENTIAL ENERGY TAMWORTH GOLDEN DAMPER AWARDS
RESULTS
RESULTS of 2011 EVENTS
October 2011 — Australian Written Championships — Morriset
RESULTS
August 2011 — Camooweal Drover’s Camp Festival Report
RESULTS
August 2011 — NORTH PINE BUSH POETS’ CAMP OVEN FESTIVAL
RESULTS
July 2011 — Bundy Bush Poets Bash (Including the Bush Lantern Award for Verse)
RESULTS
June 2011 — Henry Lawson Society of NSW Inc (Gulgong)
RESULTS
May 2011 — NSW PREMIER’S LITERARY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
RESULTS
March 2011 — DUNEDOO — NSW State Championships
RESULTS
January 2011 — Tamworth Country Energy Golden Damper Awards 2011
RESULTS
January 2011 — THE BLACKENED BILLY WRITTEN VERSE COMPETITION
JUDGE’S REPORT
RESULTS of 2010 EVENTS
December 2010 — Young National Chaerry Festival — Poet’s Competition
RESULTS
November 2010 — Land of the Beardies — New England Heritage in Verse Competition
RESULTS
November 2010 — Dalgety Snowy River — Snowy Ride Celebration
RESULTS
November 2010 — Maldon Folk Festival Victoria
REPORT
October 2010 — Rudd’s Pub Bush Poetry Competition — Nobby Queensland
REPORT
October 2010 — The Toolangi C J Dennis Poetry Festival
REPORT
October 2010 — Hunter Bush Poetry Festival — Morisset NSW
REPORT
October 2010 — Uralla Bowlo Performance Bush Poetry Competition
REPORT
October 2010 — Victorian State Championships — Wedderburn Vic.
REPORT
October 2010 — Montrose Colorado USA
REPORT
October 2010 — Nandewar Poetry Competition
REPORT
On This Site
Membership Information
Forms and direct deposit information.
Forum
Take part in our online forum.
Multimedia
See and hear some of our modern Bush Poets.
Yarn Spinning
Poets often tell yarns too.
Read some great Aussie yarns.
Regular Events
You’ll find regular poetry gatherings around the country.
Featured Poets
Meet a poet or two.
Member Achievements
Read about what some of our members have achieved.
Roll of Honour
Australian Bush Poetry Champions and ABPA executive members.
Past Magazines
Past issues of the ABPA Magazine since 1994.
Festival Snippets
2024 Banjo Paterson Writing Awards
David Judge receiving his Contemporary Poetry Award from Orange City Librarian Sean Brady.
2024 Man From Snowy River
Lynne Frederick (Matilda Award) and Seamus Foley (Clancy Award).
2024 Tenterfield Oracles
Looming Legends Winner Lara Flanagan with 2015 Legend Perry Condrick.
2023 NSW Championships
Tom McILveen, Paddy O’Brien, Debby Berryman and James Warren.
2023 Boree Log Award
Peter O’Shaughnessy, winner
2023 EKKA
Justin Geange wins at 2023 EKKA
2023 Australian Championships
President Tim Sheed, winner Michael Darby, Debbie Berryman, Jenny Markwell, Secretary Meg Gordon
2023 Blackened Billy Award
Susan Ashton, winner Tom McILveen, Bill Kearns, Ray Essery and Greg North
2023 Frank Daniel Award
Susan Ashton, winner Marion Dreyer, VP Ray Essery and Tom McILveen
2022 Man From Snowy River Festival
Perpetual trophy for MFSR Recital since 2002 (made by Whipstick Worthington) with this year’s individual trophy made by Linton Vogel for 2022 winner Andrew Pulsford. Andrew was also overall male champion, Clancy Award winner.
Matilda Award for women’s overall winner Rhonda Tallnash.
2022 Kembla Flame Poetry Competition and 2021 Cervantes Art Festival Bush Poetry Competition Winner
Terry Piggott
50th Bronze Swagman Award 2021
Jan Facey
2021 WA Championships, Toodyay
Overall winner Michael Darby and Yarnspinning Champion Peter Nettleton
Christine Boult (2nd), Michael Darby Winner, Roger Cracknell (3rd), CEO Shire of Toodyay, Suzie Haselhurst, WA President Bill Gordon, MC Meg Gordon.
2021 Man From Snowy River Festival
ABPA President Tim Sheed and new Life Member Jan Lewis
2021 Oracles of the Bush Festival
Mary O’Brien, Paddy O’Brien, Claire Reynolds, Marion Dreyer, Marco Gliori (MC), Debby Berryman, Ken Woodward.
2020 Orange Banjo Paterson Festival
Judges Gregory North Carol Heuchan and Jim Lamb (far right), Open winners Andrew Pulsford, Bob Pa Kettle and Caroline Tuohey.
2019 WA Championships, Toodyay
Overall winner Roger Cracknell, Bill Gordon
Officials: Meg Gordon, Christine Middleton, Tim Sheed, Bill Gordon, Geoffrey Graham.
Toodyay WA Act Belong Commit Bush Poetry Festival 2018
Michael Darby (winner), Peter Blyth (2nd), Brian Raynor (Toodyay Shire President), Bill Gordon (3rd)
Entertainers at Variety Concert during Toodyay Festival — Tom McIlveen, “Cobber” Lethbridge, Peter Blyth, Susan Ashton.
Poetry with the Rainbow Serpent.
Poetry and picnic, Beaudesert Qld.
2018 Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW
2018 Man From Snowy River Festival, Corryong Victoria
Aged Care entertainment from Liz Smeaton, Val Kurley, Carol Reffold, Brenda Joy, Bruce Clark, Jan Lewis, Mon Galvin and Tony Lambides-Turner
2018 John O’Brien Festival, Narrandera
2018 Milton Show Bush Poetry Competition
Back: Craig Green, John Raine, John Peel, Lucas Mcdonald, Ken Potter, Colin Defries, Peter Dawson, Mike Lavis
Front: Anne Rogers, Sue Pearce, Mark Thompson, (absent Ruth Myers).
Ivy Lawson & Leila Pepperel, Brodi Tebbutt, Chelsea Soo, Charli Firmstone, Eva Gautier, Kobi Silver, Charli Mcdowell, Emily Hendry, Lucas Mcdonald.
2017 Drovers’ Camp Reunion, Camooweal Qld.
The Performance Poetry Section winners: Larry Robinson (3rd), Deena Smith (2nd), Barry Graham (1st), MC Brenda Joy.
The Overall Performance Winners (judged from two sections) Jingo March (3rd for yarn and poem), Larry Robinson (2nd for poem and song) and Barry Graham (1st and Drovers’ Camp Talent Award trophy winner for yarn and poem), MC Brenda Joy.
Camooweal Post Office Bronze Spur Award Written Winner: Donald Crane
2017 Milton Show Bush Poetry Competition
2016 ABPA NSW Championships, Binalong NSW.
Ken Potter (Illawarra), Ted Webber (Young), Ralph Scrivens (Illawarra), Terry Regan (Blue Mountains), Rhonda Tallnash (Victoria), Heather Searles (Hunter Valley) and Sue Pearce (Tumut)
2016 Drovers’ Camp Reunion, Camooweal Qld.
Line up of competitors and co-ordinators in the Drovers’ Camp Talent Award
Drovers’ Camp Talent Award winner, Carmel Lloyd with husband John (both of Calen Qld.)
2016 Bundy Bush Poets Muster
Overall winners: Dean Trevaskis (NSW) & Rhonda Tallnash (Vic)
Marina Bishop, Bush Lantern written poetry Secondary Schools winner
Isabella Wallace, Bush Lantern written poetry Primary Schools winner (Vic)
2016 Man From Snowy River Festival
2016 Tamworth Country Music Festival
Golden Damper Winners: Tom McIlveen (Original Section) and Jason Roweth (Established Section)
Poets’ Dinner
2015 Camooweal Drovers Camp Festival
Great new performer and winner of the Junior performance competition, Jack Muller (age 14) with Noel Stallard at the poets breakfast.
Overall winner of the Drovers’ Camp Talent Award for performance, Max Pringle with Brenda Joy DCTA co-ordinator.
2015 Queensland Championships at the Bundy Bush Poetry Muster in Bundaberg, Queensland
Queensland Champions Kathy Vallance of St Arnaud, Vic. and Lynden Baxter of Monto, Qld.
Written Champion Shelley Hansen of Maryborough with her Bush Lantern trophy
2015 Australian Championships at Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong, Victoria
2015 Tamworth Country Music Festival
Gregory North, Geoffrey W Graham, Ray Essery & Pat Drummond at St Edward’s Hall concert.
Golden Damper Awards
Finalists — Established: Jason Roweth, Rhonda Tallnash, John Peel, Barry Ellem, Cay Ellem, Jacqui Warnock, Claire Reynolds. Lyn Tarring and Gabby Colquhoun at front.
Finalists — Original: Tom McIlveen, Kathy Edwards, Rhonda Tallnash, Paddy O’Brien, Dave Elson, Claire Reynolds, Cay Ellem, Gary Lowe, Lyn Tarring (front).
2014 WA State Championships
East meets West. ABPA President Hal Pritchard and WABPYS President Bill Gordon
WA State Champion Christine Boult
2014 Queensland State Championships at the Bundy Bush Poetry Muster
State Performance Champions: Rhonda Tallnash and Ralph Scrivens
Award winners at Bundy
2014 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival
Some of the poets gathered at the Man From Snowy River statue in
Corryong, Victoria.
Unfortunately it was raining and only a small group were there
when the photographer was available.
Back L to R: Ken Tough, Bob Markwell, Tim Sheed, John Peel, Noel Bull.
Front: Jenny Markwell, Geoffrey Graham (Banjo Paterson), James
Howard (Henry Lawson), Kaylin Handley, Rhonda Tallnash, Jan Lewis
(Poetry event Manager), Tony Lambides-Turner.
2014 Logan Village Music and Heritage Festival
Jim Tonkin, Wally Finch and Gerry King
2014 Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival
Zondrae King — Reciter of the Year