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.

FREE Poetry Performance Workshop via Zoom

On Sunday 17 August the ABPA is hosting a free poetry performance workshop with Mel and Susie (2/3 of the judges for the 2025 National Bush Poetry Championships) at 11:00 – 12:30 via this Zoom link. Meeting ID: 897 5283 5704. Passcode: 8epNCf
Or email David Stanley at to get a direct link sent to your email address.

Book Launch: Forgotten Heroes and Hellraisers by Jack Drake

The late Jack Drake’s seventh and final book was launched at the Outback Writers Festival in Winton, Queensland on Wednesday 25 June. Jack’s widow, Stella, launched the book with Jeff Close and Greg North during the Tim Borthwick Memorial Session. The book contains 18 articles on fascinating Australians, all in Jack’s easy-to-read, engaging style.

There was also successful launch in Eukey, Queensland on 12th July.

The book is available from Outback Books.

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.

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!