Welcome to the Australian Bush Poets Association

WELCOME. Membership of the Australian Bush Poets Association (ABPA) is comprised of writers, performers
and individuals who are interested in bush poetry and enjoy written and live stories in rhyme and metre. If
you have an interest in this piece of Australian culture called bush poetry, you have come to the right place.
Aims
The objectives of the Australian Bush Poets Association are to foster and encourage the growth of bush poetry
in Australia. By definition, Australian bush poetry is metred and rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians
and/or the Australian way of life.
Membership
To join the Australian Bush Poets Association and receive our bi-monthly magazine, go to our
Membership page.
The ABPA keeps in touch with its members through this website (and forum) and our bi-monthly
magazine of bush poetry news, events, results of written and performance competitions as well as samples of contemporary
bush poetry. Many members have books, CDs and other products. These can be advertised in the magazine. For rates,
click here. The deadline for ads and other content for the magazine is the 22nd
of the month preceding publication. Magazines are published at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October and
December.
Check out our
Facebook page.
New ABPA Poetry Anthology to be published
The ABPA is looking to collate a new collection (an anthology) of Bush Poetry to be gathered into a publication and
celebration of contemporary Australian Poetry.
As such please send no more than 2 poems that you have written that you feel would be suitable for a new anthology.
There is a 60-line word limit to any poems, they must be the author’s original work and received before the deadline of
30 July 2025.
Send submissions to Vice President David Stanley (see contact details here).
A subcommittee will be established to assess each poem for suitability in the anthology, and it is hoped the book will be
ready for printing by November 2025.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers, David Stanley.
Mick’s Country Music Hit, Hervey Bay Poets, Stonehouse Festival and EKKA comp.

A poem written by Mick Martin called "Mates at the gate" has been
picked up by Ashley Cook and in conjunction with Shaza Leigh it has been made into
a song (see the YouTube clip here).
That in itself is not so remarkable but what is amazing is that it has shot to the
number 1 slot in the traditional country music charts. The song is currently at number 4
in the open country music charts! All poets dream of their words being put to music so this
is a bit of a dream come true.
Mick runs Hervey Bay Poets who meet every 4th Saturday of the month at the community centre in
Halcro Street, Pialba, starting 9:30 and finishing at midday. The group perform their
poetry and discuss all things poetry with lots of laughs and camaraderie over a cuppa
and cake (or sometimes damper).
The Stonehouse festival of bush poetry and music is on over the weekend of July 26th
and 27th. This is a great little festival with a book writing/publishing workshop included
at no cost to attendees. There are lots of walk-up opportunities and a fabulous vibe
carries over for the whole weekend. Stonehouse is located near the town of Moore, Qld.
Buses run from town all day, the vendors provide great food and drinks. This is a
wonderful little festival in the old style!
The RNA EKKA bush poetry virtual competition has once again increased the prize money and the inclusion of Akubra
hats coupled to those cash prizes makes it one of the most rewarding competitions in the country. Entries are
now open for the “virtual competitions”. These are online competitions with good prize money and a great experience.
A lot of people get their kids or grandkids to assist which is a rewarding experience for everyone. Don’t wait,
do it now and beat the closing date of July 14th, you won’t regret it. If the process looks a bit daunting, don’t
despair. With one phone call everything will be sorted for you. You can call Mick Martin on 0421 514 555 if you can’t find it on
the website
simply go to your browser and type in “Brisbane Ekka buh poetry competitions”, it will take you straight to it. Keep an eye
out for details of the RNA live competitions Brisbane Ekka goes from August 9th till the 17th and competition day is 10th.
Mick Martin, Hervey Bay Poets.
The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival (10th-13th April)

Photos: Overall Performance & Grand Champion-Debby Berryman; Banjo’s Man from Snowy River Recitation: 1st Seamus Foley, 2nd
Phil McManus, 3rd Andrew Pulsford; Matilda Women’s Champion: 1st Debby Berryman, 2nd Annette Roberts; Clancy Men’s Champion:
1st John Peel, 2nd David Stanley.
THE VICTORIAN BUSH POETRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
For 3 decades now, tucked away in the shadow of the Snowy Mountains, “The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival” has
brought together people from all over the country to celebrate our Australian Bush Heritage, culture and mateship. The festival has
crafted the essence of our bush heritage into a weekend of entertainment that showcases the best in horsemanship, craft, art,
poetry, music food and more.
2025 marked a milestone 30th Anniversary for the event featuring “The Man from Snowy River Challenge”, a Rodeo, Bullock
Teams, Working Cattle Dogs, Markets, Talent Quests and a range of other activities.
Of course, the “Jewel in the Crown” of this magni!cent event was the 2025 Victorian Bush Poetry Championships held for the
second consecutive year in the Lions Youth Hall and accompanying space of ‘Banjo’s Block’. From the early morning “Poet’s Breakfasts”
(3 in all) hosted by “The Rhymer from Ryde” and his sidekick Matthew Hollis, through 2 full days of Competition sections and
into the nights (spent huddling around the campfire listening to the sessions and songs run by Kevin McCarthy and Simon Dillon)
the camaraderie flowed freely as did the poems, balderdash and bull#hit!
Christine Middleton (harpist extra-ordinaire) added to the diversity of the entertainment on offer as did Gregory North and
Geoffrey W. Graham (our “Featured Poets” for the weekend) who performed ‘Solo Spots’ and “Featured Artists” concerts alongside
Tim Sheed and The Rhymer from Ryde. Tim and Greg, as well as Jenny Markwell, Christine, Maurie Foun & G.W.G also assisted “The
Rhymer” in completing the arduous and challenging job of judging across the various competition sections (including the Written
section pre-judged before the festival). Mick Coventry (Head Collator) and David Taggart once again put in ‘the hard yards’ tabulating
all the competition scores.
Stephen Whiteside also conducted a “Book Launch” for his new tome “Snow, Fire and Gold” about “Spargo’s Hut”, an abandoned
hut near Mt. Hotham in Victoria’s ‘High Country’.
But it was the Performance Competition sections that really brought the weekend to life. With $8000 worth of prizemoney
& trophies on offer including 3 new $1000 prizes for the Overall Written, Overall Performance and Overall Grand Champion (a combination
of the Written and Performance scores) the assembled poets versifed their way through Traditional, Modern and Original
recitations of the highest quality. Yarnspinners got a look in too as well as the Novices and “One Minute Poetry Cup” artists.
The Overall Written Champion was David Judge. The Overall Performance Champion was Debby Berryman and the Overall
Grand Champion Trophy was also presented to Debby Berryman.
The “Assistant Poetry Events Manager and Senior Judge” “The Rhymer from Ryde” would also like to extend his many thanks
to the huge troupe of volunteers who worked tirelessly ‘around the grounds’ during the course of the event and without whose help
the Bush Poetry component of the festival simply wouldn’t be possible. Cheers to ‘one and all’ and ‘Thank You!’
See full results here
Past Magazines now online
The historic magazines of the ABPA from its inception in 1994 are now available here. See how we used to look!
See previously featured poets.
See previously featured achievers.
Anthology On Sale
Anthology of ABPA poets past and present is now on sale $28
posted (within Australia).
A who’s who of modern bush poetry.
62 poets, 192 pages.
More information here (pdf).
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.
Magazine Advertising Rates
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
2025 ABPA Committee
- ABPA Committee Executive
President — Tim Sheed
Vice President — David Stanley
Secretary — Meg Gordon
Treasurer — Christine Middleton - Committee Members
Tom McILveen
Manfred Vijars
- ABPA State Delegates
NSW — Tom McILveen
Victoria — Jan Lewis
Queensland — Peter Frazer
- Magazine Editor — Neil McArthur
Public Officer — Gregory North
Facebook Editor — Jan Lewis
Webmaster — Gregory North
President’s Report June - July

The Man From Snowy River Festival was held in Corryong in April for the thirtieth year and was a great success.
The Victorian Bush Poetry Champions for written and performance are an integral part of the festival and were well
supported.
The key focus of the ABPA May meeting was the National Bush Poetry Championship coming up in Bathurst on the sixth
to the ninth of November. This is a major and prestigious event being coordinated by ABPA Vice President, David
Stanley in his home town.
The Victorian Bush Poets are holding a muster in Tolmie from the tenth to the twelfth of October at the Tolmie
Recreation Reserve and a good roll up is expected.
The Gulgong Henry Lawson Festival is being held from the sixth to the ninth of June. The event been running for
sixty-seven years and is a testament to the popularity of bush poetry.
The events mentioned don’t begin to scratch the surface as there are events being held all over Australia, all
of the time and being well attended. The people who organize these events don’t seek recognition but do it because
they love it.
Onwards and Upwards for Bush Poetry.
Timothy Sheed
President.