ABPA — The Australian Bush Poets Association Inc.

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.

EKKA Poetry Competition

Bush Poetry to the Freeversers

Gulgong Henry Lawson Festival

It was the 50th festival for Henry in Gulgong on the long weekend in June. There was a huge turnout, the streets were full, and people came from far and wide.

The committee is doing a wonderful job over the years keeping Henry’s tradition alive. The shops decorate windows with Henry memorabilia, and it takes you back in time as you walk the streets in the footsteps of Henry. You notice on the pavements old signs that swaggies used when travelling “Outback” for farms to get water or food or if there are good or bad people.

There is the Henry Lawson Museum – a fantastic place stacked full of Henry’s life, with flags, photos, manuscripts, books, letters and nostalgia. There is a look-alike competition for the best dressed Henry, Louisa or Bertha. There is the Loaded Dog mural, a wheelbarrow uphill race for adults and children, there are coach rides and a street parade, fun for children in the street, a huge lineup of old vehicles and tractors, and entertainers and POETRY.

Being Henry’s birthday, I have the honour of portraying Henry and being called Henry as I move around town, an honour and privilege I have never imagined. Then they sing Happy Birthday and we cut a huge cake for all to enjoy.

We had poetry in the Post Office Hotel Friday night, Saturday in cafes and the street parade, then in pubs and clubs as POP-UP Poetry wandered the streets, Sunday was race day with poetry in the Prince of Wales Hotel beforehand, then Monday was Poets’ Brekky in the RSL. Henry comes alive in Gulgong.

With all the hard work done by a few in the committee, it was beautiful weather warm days and a pleasure to be in such a tight-knit town. Well done to all those who helped and their sponsors for making such a wonderful festival. Its on again next year, look forward to saying G’day to you.

Phil Inn.

Bush Poets in Derby WA

Performing poets Dave Morell, Robyn Maher, Irene Conner, Cobber Lethbridge, Bob Magor, Meg Gordon, Alan Aitken, Rob Gunn, Bill Gordon and Ivan Bridge. Right: Dave Morrell with Cobber Lethbridge wearing his OBE (over-bloody-eighty) medal, presented to him by his family in June.

Derby Bush Poets’ Breakfast was another great success for the very welcoming community of Derby and the Shire of West Kimberley. It was held on 19 July, the day after the Derby Races.

A warm sunny morning welcomed a good crowd that was treated to a sumptuous breakfast courtesy of Derby CWA. Lots of shade from leafy bauhinia trees and gazebos provided comfort for the locals and travellers who were once again flocking back to Derby on their journeys to the northern sunshine and away from the cold southern areas.

Ten poets made the trip this year: Bob Magor from Myponga SA, Cobber Lethbridge from Halls Creek, Ivan Bridge of Halls Creek, Robyn Maher of Derby, Dave Morrell from Broome and southern poets Irene Conner, Rob Gunn, Alan Aitken and Bill and Meg Gordon.

Local MC Darren Cross kept the program running smoothly and a tribute to the late Sam Lovell AM was presented by Robyn Bowcock during the program.

Poets thanked the organisers, in particular, Chery Russ, for the invitation to once again perform in Derby and will be looking forward to making the journey again next year.

Stonehouse, Moore, July 2026

Stonehouse was established in 1874 and is the only stone-built Cobb and Co. station and country inn built in Queensland.

As part of their annual open weekend we were lucky enough to be able to organise a very successful Bush Poets Breakfast and competition on July 25th held in an idyllic and ideal location for Bush Poetry.

At the “Stonehouse Stage” we were able to absorb the atmosphere, in the shadows of the Stonehouse, the inn and the stables in the presence of working draught horses, a bullock team, arts and crafts of yesteryear and with people in period costume promenading by.

On The Saturday there was some great music to entertain the crowds provided by local musicians interspersed with some great bush poetry and a magnificent didgeridoo player, MC’d by yours truly and ably assisted by our ABPA “El Presidente” Peter Fraser.

All weekend we were blessed by the weather gods with not a cloud in the sky, albeit a bit chilly, especially at night and crisp mornings with the glistening frost on the ground soon melting away in the morning sun – gotta love winter in Queensland.

The night chill was lessened by a roaring campfire, piping hot stew and damper, maybe a bevvy or two and with lots of poetry and tall tales told.

On the Sunday we had a great roll-up for our Poetry Competition with nine competitors in total. It was varied and interesting and most of all seemed to be very well received by our audience and passers by.

Taking out the Accolades on the day were Tony Caswell the winner, with Justin Geange second (both Logan members) and Denleigh Stenzel (a local legend) in third.

Kudos to all the other entrants too, including one first timer who appropriately received a standing ovation.

A great weekend keeping our Bush Poetry and heritage very much alive here in Queensland.

Gerry Mannion
ABPA Queensland Rep.

(Above) Competition winner Tony Caswell.


WHERE THE POETS GATHER!

Last weekend the poets gathered
From near and far away.
Standing beside the Stone House
We felt the spirits play.

As the country music filled the air
beneath a cloudless sky.
Bush poets shared their stories
While the crowds sat nearby.

At night some campers gathered
Around a roaring campfire bright.
Sharing poetry and yarns
Once the stars came into sight.

As I lay back in my swag.
Beneath a blazing starlit sky.
I could feel Banjo’s presence.
As Poets of the past strode by.

by ABPA President, Peter Frazer.

Vale Fran Bestwick

The wife of bush poetry writer and performer Harry Bestwick, Fran passed away in Orange NSW on Thursday 11 June 2026.

Harry wrote:
Till death do us part, a few words that we said…they still feel so fresh and so new
But now you’re no longer here by my side…I’m feeling I’m broken in two
From the pain you’ve carried, you now have been freed…this makes my loss easier to bear
But I’m finding my arms reaching out for a hug just to find you no longer are there.

Our deepest sympathies to Harry and family.

Fran’s funeral was on Friday 26 June at Bathurst Uniting Church and can be viewed here.

Donations to CareFlight in lieu of flowers.

Vale Harold Briggs

An enthusiastic performer and bush poetry ambassador, Harold Briggs, passed away on Tuesday 16 June 2026 (pictured at The Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong, Victoria in 2004).

Harold was a spirited presenter with an unmistakable love for Australia and its heritage. A great supporter of other poets, he attended many poetry festivals and events. He worked in earthmoving for many years around the Hunter Valley and would practice poems while on the job. He was a memorable character and the ABPA extends condolences to his family.

Harold’s funeral was held on Thursday 25 June at 2pm at Newcastle Memorial Gardens and can be viewed here.

Poetry Performance Workshop viewable online

On Sunday 17 August the ABPA hosted a poetry performance workshop with Mel and Susie (2/3 of the judges for the 2025 National Bush Poetry Championships). The workshop was recorded and can be viewed on the Multimedia page.

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.