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!
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 August - September
This is the first winter for a few years that we have stayed in the south and we have been watching our friends
and fellow bush poets cavorting in the warmth of the north. The WA Bush Poets in Derby, Broome and other points
and keeping poetry out there.
We are away from the home comforts so this report will be fairly short but there are a couple of upcoming events
that I want to highlight. The National Bush Poetry Championship is being held in Bathurst in November and Vice
President David Stanley is the main organiser and things are progressing well.
David is also working on compiling an anthology of bush poetry. So far he has had 48 poems submitted by 24 poets
which is a pleasing result.
The Victorian Bush Poets are having their Muster in Tolmie in October with Greg Champion as the Guest performer
for a dinner show on the Saturday night.
The Winton Bronze Swagman Award was won by David Judge with Tom Mcilveen in second place and Terry Piggott third.
ABPA committee member Peter Frazier won the Winton Writers short story award so the quality work of our members
continues to shine.
On Sunday 17th of August the ABPA is hosting a free poetry performance workshop with Mel and Susie via Zoom (see above for further details).
Onwards and Upwards for Bush Poetry,
Timothy Sheed
President.