ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

MORE PRESSING NEEDS
While we have been trading blows (soft ones) about what is or isn’t Bush Poetry, another more pressing need is starting to emerge in some of our groups. I refer to the need for more helpers to carry on the duties of long time committee members who have shouldered the burden for many years and are looking to retire from these positions. And who can blame them after the wonderful years of service they have given to our Associations.
The Western Australian Bush poets association has been going through such a transition but fortunately have sorted things out at least in the short term. But I understand other groups are faced with the same dilemma and finding it hard to replace outgoing committee members. While we may debate the finer points of Bush poetry it might be timely to remember that if these groups give it away, as I understand some have in the past because no one was prepared to take on the onerous task of running them, then the whole bush poetry scene could be under threat of at least shrinking.

Terry

G'day Terry,

It is a big responsibility to be on a committee of a poetry (or any other) group. At the moment in our mob, a few are away, Tony is unable to attend, monica has had to go back to Korea, Noel is on the Kakoda Trail again (3rd time). So I am left holding the 'bag'. I don't mind but it would be nice to have a bit more help. The numbers at our weekly group has always varied from six to sixteen and different ones come and go but the core of around seven remain fairly constant. Illawarra Breakfast Poets are known for meeting at 7am on a Wednesday every week. Maybe the time has come to cut back a bit. We started in February 2007. From my experience, most small clubs last about two years unless they get some new blood. We have just had a group of three new members so, hopefully we will experience a renewal of energy.