Good on you Noel - congratulations.
FORMER Gympie man and renowned bush poet Noel Stallard has added another Australian Bush Laureate's Golden Gumleaf award to his haul - but it's his first award for a book.
Talking to The Gympie Times Noel said he was "very chuffed" about his latest recognition from the literary world for his children's book titled Aussie Verse.
"The children's book came about when I was doing a workshop of bush poetry in New South Wales and one of the people attending was illustrator Dave Emerson," Noel said.
"He is the best kept secret in illustration and he is great to work with.
"Dave was very open to suggestions by us and the book has sold very well."
In 2007 Noel won his first Bush Laureate award for poetry, followed by a second award for his CD of Bruce Simpson's poetry.
His third award was last year when he took out the very prestigious Judith Hosier award - Judith was one of the founders of the resurgence of bush poetry and she passed away a few years ago.
That award is presented to a person who has done the most to promote bush poetry.
Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of Noel's book can email noel@noelstallard.com or Post Office Box 131, Arana Hills, Qld, 4045. Books cost $15 plus $2 postage.
