ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I'm just going to sneak this in here. I'm sure the organisers will do an official winners/poems list in the appropriate section. Not long home from Toolangi and the C.J. Dennis poetry event. Pleasant afternoon in a beautiful setting. There were several people who had come from quite a distance to attend - Grahame Watt from NSW, Daryl Peebles from Tasmania, Caroline Tuohey from QLD, Jenny Markham and her parents from NSW coast. Not bad for a small turnout. Congratulations to the winners. Good to see some ABPA members and i thought it was excellent to see some new names.

The winners in the open section were:
1. David Campbell with a very clever poem which he later read.
2. Stephen Whiteside
3. Daryl Peebles
HC Jim Kent
HC Leonie Parker I'm Off the Grog (typical Leonie!)

For the themed poem Song of Rain
1. Grahame Watt
2 Denny Aldridge
3 Daryl Peebles
HC Zondrae King
HC Wendy Seddon
HC David Campbell

Poem written by adults for children
1. Gwen Pascoe
2. Dianne Cook
3 Caroline Tuohey
HC Daryl Peebles
HC Val Wallace
HC Robyn Tilley

Interstingly, the kids poems were also given to local school children to judge and their winners were:
1 Robyn Tilley
2 Caroline Tuohey
3 Caroline Tuohey
HC Stephen Whiteside

There was also a section for poems written by children.

Later there was reciting by Jenny Markham, her dad (Bob I think), Grahame Watt, Jim Brown and Stephen Whiteside. Great afternoon of entertainment.

My god we're a talented bunch here - Congratulations to all on yet another job well done.

Cheers

Maureen

"....For the themed poem Song of Rain
1. Grahame Watt
2 Denny Aldridge
3 Daryl Peebles
HC Zondrae King
HC Wendy Seddon
HC David Campbell...."

Oh My! I finally got an award!!!
And in such illustrious company!!

Thanks to the encouragement of a lot of folk here at ABPA online.
Luvs yas all.

Congratulations Wendy. Didn't even twig that it was you because I didn't know your surname! To me you are "Owly". I've just read it - a fun poem with your usual quirky sense of humour. You go girl! xx

Heather

The kids votes should have been put towards the final result I reckon.

Thats what it is all about.

Congratulations everyone going great guns.

Now how about a week of funny poems or at least some not so serious ones.


Bob

Congratulations to all the ward winners. Good to see Zondrae in there, she's been quiet lately.
Good for you Wendy, what do you mean illustrious company, you're illustrious
and Trublu you're in there with Stephen and that fine lady Val Wallace..

Bob they actually did give out separate prizes for those who won where the kids' judged. I liked the idea of kids judging the poems written for kids.

There were over 90 entries this year.

I've just read intro to the booklet with the winning poems. The judge states that amongst other things he was looking for poems that "paid homage to C.J. Dennis and his poetry". For "writers who clearly share Dennis's key attributes and thematic concerns." Bit of a tip for those entering next year

It's quite a thrill to be at an event like this and to hear the names of people I know amongst the winners. Congratulations to Val, Wendy, Zondrae, Leonie,Stephen and David.

Heather

Supa Congrats to all!! And Owly....goodonya luv!! I'm sooo pleased for you.
Cheeers
Glenny

G'day Wendy,

Lovely to see you achieving. Congratulations. We all know the amount of dedication it takes to learn the 'rules', perfect a story line and choose the exact words to craft a winning poem. Keep at it. You are obviously getting it right. There have been a few publishers recently who complained there are not enough 'Bush poems' being written.

I heard that there have been over 100 entries in a couple of the most recent competitions. With this in mind, I guess a Commended is not to be sneezed at.

Just back from Toolangi...thanks to all for the congratulations. Heather didn't mention that she also entertained us on Saturday with a couple of her poems, including the fun piece for kids 'Our Pa', which is posted on this site.

Unfortunately, Heather couldn't stay for today and missed out on a fascinating tour of The Singing Gardens conducted by none other than C. J. Dennis himself (aka Dr Stephen Whiteside), assisted by Banjo Paterson (Jim Brown, with guitar) and Henry Lawson (yours truly). Stephen did a brilliant job in character as tour guide, providing a wealth of historical info about Dennis' home and background and leading a conversation with Jim and I which kept us well and truly on our toes as we tried to remember to stay in character...interrupted by the occasional helicopter flying overhead. C. J. explained away this phenomenon as a rather large local dragonfly. Anyway, we presented a range of poems from the three famous gentlemen and then Jenny Markwell chimed in as Dorothea Mackellar. Those there were most appreciative and gained a terrific insight into a really beautiful place. If you've never been to Toolangi it's well worth keeping in mind on any visit to Victoria. It's not far from Healesville (where the sanctuary is), and The Singing Gardens provide an excellent stop for Devonshire tea...the best scones in the southern hemisphere!

Cheers
David