Sometimes, when people think of Australian bush poetry, they think of the great bush bards from the early days like Adam Lindsay Gordon or the likes of Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. But in fact, the bush poetry movement has been quietly growing in Australia for the last two centuries.
Today, we are blessed with a myriad of talent from youngsters through to old timers, all hell bent on recording our everyday events and our unique bush history for future generations to enjoy.
While plenty of locals have been writing bush poetry for years, the Western Australian club itself is relatively new.
Back in 1995, Perth resident Rusty Christensen decided to set about forming a club. He had been hearing stories about how bush poetry was gaining in popularity in the Eastern States and inspired by a book of poetry by Blue the Shearer, better known as Col Wilson, he decided that WA should join the trend.
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With the assistance of fellow Rotarian Trevor Cooksley, the pair approached their local council, the City of Melville, and received enthusiastic support from Anne Farrin, the Council’s Art Officer at the time. Anne agreed to take on the administrative role and Rusty set about bringing together all of the people he knew of who were out there, telling tall tales and quirky yarns, and writing poetry and spruiking it to anyone who would listen. |
WA’s FIRST BUSH POETRY CONCERT
The group’s first official concert was held in the picturesque bush setting of Wireless Hill Park in Ardross, a southern suburb of Perth on Sunday, 15 September 1995.
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Wireless Hill Park, a unique piece of bushland in the middle of suburbia, was Perth’s original Wireless Communication Station and was set up in 1912. Much of the original infrastructure can still be seen today and in spring, the park boasts some of the best examples of Western Australian wildflowers, making it an ideal setting for bush poetry. |
 Western Australia's famous Kangaroo Paws at Wireless Hill Park |
The first concert turned out to be a moderate success with 60 people attending. The group was encouraged enough to organise another event to coincide with the following year’s Australia Day celebrations at the park and this time, 200 people attended.
THE ASSOCIATION TAKES FORM
Early the following year, a group of bush poetry enthusiasts met at the Tivoli Hall at Canning Bridge in Applecross to form the now infamous WA Bush Poets & Yarn Spinners Association Incorporated.
A Constitution was duly drawn up and office bearers were elected, and the nearby watering hole, better known as the Raffles Hotel, became the venue for the monthly meetings that followed.
During 1996, the club decided to hold a series of selection heats to provide competitors for the following year’s Australia Day Bush Poetry Competition at Wireless Hill Park.
The winner of that competition was Keith Lethbridge, who took out the prestigious prize of a trip to Winton in Queensland for the Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Competition. Even today, Keith Lethbridge is still considered to be the benchmark for all Western Australian bush poets.
AND CONTINUES TO GROW
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Since those early days, the Australia Day competition continued to be held at Wireless Hill Park. In 2004, the event was changed to a Bush Poetry Showcase to cater for the huge numbers clamouring to perform to the masses. The first State Championships were held in that year at the Fremantle Arts Centre. (You can read more about this on the "WA Competitions" page.) Today, Rusty Christensen still continues his involvement in the association that he started. Following his retirement as President in 2007, Rusty intended to write a history of the WA Bush Poets & Yarn Spinners Assn. With his constant involvement in the Assn. since its inception, he is in a unique position to do this but there is a fair chance that aging problems may get in the way of this project. In 2008, Rusty became the first Life Member of the Association The association’s aim is to stimulate interest and enthusiasm for this very special style of Australian performing art, particularly among the younger generation. The City of Melville and the Town of Victoria Park continue to support our association in these endeavours. In 2004, the Association joined the Technology age and commenced this website with just 3 pages of information. Since that time the website has grown to include performing member profiles, upcoming events, contact information, some member's poems and a whole lot more about the association. |
AND NOW
The Association currently has around 150 members, about a hundred of whom live in the greater Perth Metro Area, the remainder are scattered throughout the state. While a significant number of members are either writer or performers (or both), many simply join for the enjoyment of being part of the Bush Poetry scene. In Albany, member Peter Blyth organises a monthly get-together on the 4th Thursday of each month if you're interested , contact Peter at poetblyth@bigpond.com
Some members , namely Wayne Pantall (ABC Gt Southern) , Corin Linch (ABC Midwest) and Catherine McLernan (MAMA Geraldton) have regular Radio Programs on Regional Radio. Other Members often appear in guest spots on various radio stations throughout the State.
The
Association (or its members as individuals) is involved in the management
of many Bush Poetry Events
throughout the State. In particular, the Bush Poetry events that accompany
the WA Country Music Festival at Boyup Brook each February. (This was
originally set up by Brian Gale in 1991. Later, Ron Evans took over the reigns
which have now been passed on to Bill Gordon). In Albany, Peter
Blyth gets a group of Poets together to perform at the Albany Show. Corin
Linch in Jurien has been the Bush Poetry co-ordinator for the Waddi Festival at
Badgingarra and for some other events in the region. Catherine McLernon in
Geraldton gets involved in a number of local events, while the current
President, Brian Langley is involved in organising Bush poetry events at Pingrup
and and some other country locations.
In the past, prior to running a touring and entertainment business
(Diggers Camp in Oakford) in which a significant part is Bush Poetry, Rod and
Kerry Lee were involved in the management of several near country Bush Poetry
events. Other members have also been involved in the management of various
regional festivals and events . Past member Peter Capp runs regular
entertainment events at the Hilton Park Bowling Club, while other performing
members also use their skills in various theatrical endeavours.
On the non performing scene, a considerable number of West Australian members have won prizes in writing Bush Poetry in various written Verse competitions both in the State and Nationally. Foremost among these are V.P. Read, Keith Lethbridge and Irene Conner.
In 2009, Sylvia and Harold Rowell were awarded life membership. This pair of lovely folk joined the WA Bush poets shortly after its inception and have quietly, in the background provided support for the Association and its members. It is unfortunate that ill health has prevented them being involved to the extent that they previously were.
The Monthly Muster venue has changed over the years, For a time it was at the Tivoli Theatre, then the Raffles Hotel, When the Raffles was knocked down for re-development, we moved to the South Perth Bowling Club followed later by the Mt. Pleasant Bowling club. In June 2008, we moved to our current venue, the Auditorium at Bentley Park Retirement Village (Previously Swan Cottages) , which is located at 26 Plantation Dve, South Bentley 6102 (Entrance off Jarrah Rd, East Victoria Park, just near the lights at the intersection with Hillview Terrace.) (see map) ,
Commencing at 7.30pm, typically around 70 people, members and friends, come along each month to enjoy the poetry and stories and also the camaraderie of being with people who share a common interest
New visitors are very welcome to come along and join in the Association's fun and activities.
Send
mail to briandot@tpg.com.au
with questions or comments about this website
Copyright © 2004 - 2008 WA BUSH POETS AND YARN SPINNERS INC.
Original website design by Lyn Mitchell, Modifications and maintenance by Brian
Langley.
Photography by Roy Duperouzel and Lyn Mitchell.