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WA Bush Poets & Yarn Spinners |
Competitions |
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This Page contains general
information on Bush Poetry and Yarn Spinning Competitions as well as details
of forthcoming and recent Competitions conducted by the WA Bush Poets
& Yarn Spinners Assn. or other organisations who run competitions in
conjunction with the WABP&YS Assn. (eg Rural Shows
etc.) |
Upcoming
& Previous Competions Listings
(inc Tentative Boyup Brook 2011
State Championships)
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Performed Poetry: ·
Novice events, (for performers who have never won in
any category) - · Traditional or Classic Poetry (not your own work, more than 50 years old) · Contemporary Poetry (poetry, less than 50 years old - some competitions allow your own work, others specify "other poets work" ) - some competitions split this into sub-categories ·
Your own work - This includes 5 different categories,
ie. " Serious", "Humorous", Written Poetry: ·
This is poetry intended to be presented in printed
form, either traditional paper formats or electronically · Although not generally considered the norm in Bush Poetry, in some cases, (where many potential competitors have age or medical conditions impairing memory) there may be a category for "reading", perhaps with limitations on which poems are applicable (eg Traditional) |
In some larger competitions, there are separate mens and womens competitions. Many competitions also include junior categories.
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Within
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National Championships - This is the "premier" event in the annual calendar. To become a National Champion, you must attain the highest aggregate score in a specified list of categories, typically 4, "Your Own Humorous", "Your Own Serious" , "Traditional" and "Contemporary State Championships - similar to above but on a State basis. District or Regional Competition - may have restricted categories and / or include special categories. Special Events and Festivals. these may have only a restricted number of categories some of which may be event specific (eg. a poem relating to the location or festival) |
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Competition Judging Criteria For all categories, except Yarn Spinning, the judges are looking for consistent very good rhyme and rhythm with an Australian theme, although this can be quite broad, particularly for humorous style poetry. Writing or selecting poems that do not have this will result in considerable penalties. For all
performed categories, in addition to the material itself, you are judged on
your introduction, your presentation (including your expressions and
gestures), your stage techniques, use of any props and on the clarity of your
voice, and your use of a microphone where this is provided. For Yarn Spinning, you are judged on having an original Australian storyline with good progression and a fitting finale. Your story can be factual, autobiographical or otherwise; or it can be totally fictitious. It can be serious or humorous. You are also judged on your stagecraft as well as your ability to stretch the bounds of credibility where this is appropriate. When performing other people's poetry (Traditional or Contemporary) the judges are looking for suitability of your choice of poem for the category and for your interpretation of the poem itself. During the introduction, due recognition MUST be given to the poem's author, or if this is not known, to its source. For original poetry (including written) you are also judged on the structure and content of your poem. Does it have logical progression and a suitable finale? Does it hold the listener's (or reader's) attention throughout? Is it too long and becomes boring? Is there any unnecessary repetitions or procrastinations? Does it contain irrelevant parts included just to complete the rhyme? Where a "reading" category is included, Judges are looking for the suitability of the chosen poem for your voice, appearance etc. You must also include a suitable preamble, ensuring that you list the author, you may include why you chose this particular poem. You are also judged on your interpretation of the poem and for the suitability of any emotion and expression you use in the reading. Also your ability to "scan" rather than read line by line. There are typically 3 judges whose scores are aggregated (or averaged) to give an overall result. Their decision is final Timing - Except for special short poem categories, each participant typically has a maximum of between six and eight minutes for their performance, including any preamble. Performances going overtime are penalised
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The following is a list of upcoming competitions, followed by results and highlights from some previous ones.
| Competition | Dates | Details | Contact |
State Championships 2011 Open Sections only TENTATIVE ONLY AT THIS TIME |
Feb 2011 BOYUP BROOK | keep your eye on this spot -
more as time goes on |
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| 2009-10 WA Novice Championships | Perth | completed Feb 2010 |
| 2010 Boyup Brook Written Comp | Boyup Brook | |
| 2009 Cervantes Written Comp | Cervantes | Nov 2009 |
| 2009 Boyup Brook Written Comp | Boyup Brook | Feb 2009 |
| 2007 WA Champs Written Verse | Perth | Nov 2007 |
| 2007 Melville Junior Competition | Melville | |
Bush Lantern Award - The Bundaberg Poets Soc. are conducting the "2010 Bush Lantern Award" for written verse. click here for entry form Junior entry forms can be obtained by e-mailing Sandy Lees at lees@fastel.com.au
2009-10 WABP&YS NOVICE COMPETITIONS
There were 3
categories of competition, 'Novice - Original', Novice - 'Other
poet's work' and a new category 'Novice - Readings from the Classics'
The 'Readings from the Classics' is not a traditional event, however it was
considered appropriate as several years ago, the current president, Brian
Langley, saw a need to expand the rage of traditional poetry that was being
presented at musters. In addition, there were many members, who for
various reasons either did not want to, or were unable to, commit poems to
memory but who had the ability to read with expression. With a view to
having a greater number of people presenting poetry, and considering the
previous 2 points, he instigated a monthly "Readings from the Classics" which
has proved, over time, to be a very successful component of the monthly musters.
It was considered, by the committee that this facet of presentation also
warranted a competitive element.
The results of the 3 categories were:
Novice - Original
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1st |
Irene Conner |
The Old Timer |
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2nd |
Michael Trevor |
Cup Punters |
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3rd |
Chris Preece |
The Journey |
Novice - Other Poet's work
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1st |
Grace Williamson |
Women of the West (G.E. Evans) |
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2nd |
Ron Ingham |
The Boss of the Admiral Lynch (A.B. Paterson) |
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3rd |
Marjory Cobb |
Ballad of the Drover (H.Lawson) |
Novice - Readings from the Classics
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1st |
Dot Langley |
Scotty's Wild Stuff Stew (B.H. Brown) |
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2nd |
Grace Williamson |
Jim's Whip (B. Boake) |
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3rd |
Chris Preece |
The Australian Sunrise (J.L. Cuthbertson) |
The 2007 WA State Championships
were planned for September 30 / October 1 but unfortunately insufficient
entries made the Performance Section not viable.
The Written Section was extended and Closed on November
30th Judges comments and results are below.
Judge’s Comments (Open Section)
It is a rare privilege to share the reflective thinking of creative minds,
especially when that thinking is in the form of rhyming verse.
The wonderful collection of wit, nostalgia, concern, subtlety and delightful
disarming vulgarity reflects a richness of the Australian spirit, which is
clearly alive and well.
The competition provided a healthy balance of the humorous,
with the sad and painful, which invariably led to a greater understanding and
awareness of what it means to be human. And therein lies, for me the greatest
value of the writings—an exploration of some aspects of the human condition.
Our cherished values that are closely connected to family,
friends and animals with which we share our lives are more than worthy of the
time and effort that it takes to properly describe them. And so it is in the
winners poem. This poem is so apparently simple in essence, yet establishes
those emotional links that we experience with those we love in a most graphic
and poignant reality.
Brian Wolfenden
Junior Competition: The numbers of entries was disappointing. It would seem
that even though information about the competition was made available to the WA
Education Dept, it never got to the students. It is also disappointing that
there were few entries from other states even though the competition had been
advertised through the ABPA The standard
was very mixed.
While the subject matter was surprisingly broad and most
entries had good to excellent rhyme, consistent rhythm defeated all but a
couple of the under 13s. It many cases it would have been better to have
written a shorter poem rather than start well but lose the rhythm as the poem
progressed. In some cases, the topic along with the length are perhaps a bit
too ambitious..
We would like to congratulate all prize winners.
To all entrants, Well done for your interest, participation
and the effort that you have put into your poems. You have all started on a
journey which if you continue will give you and others great enjoyment and
satisfaction. We wish you all success in the future and hope you continue your
obvious love of Australian Rhyming Poetry.
Brian Langley & John Hayes
In the junior competition, the Under 13 entrants were all from WA while the 13 - 17 were all from other states.
The Results were:
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Category |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
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Junior U13 |
Alanna van Mierlo |
Hannah Th'ng |
Joshua Th'ng |
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Junior 13 - 17 |
Violet MacDonald |
Violet MacDonald |
Celina MacDonald |
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Open - Prizes |
V.P. Read |
V.P. Read |
Keith |
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Open Highly Commended |
John Hayes |
Keith |
V.P. Read |
A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the entrants for making a worthwhile competition,
oooOOOooo
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Melville
Junior Comp -- Completed
Results
Click
here to go to the Poems Page for the Childrens' poems
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
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Written |
Joshua Th'ng |
Hannah Th'ng |
Alanna van Mierlo |
Ee Faye Chong |
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Performance |
Joshua Th'ng |
Hannah Th'ng |
Philippa Newman |
Erika Fletcher |
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Send mail to briandot@tpg.com.au with submissions or with questions or comments about this websiteCopyright © 2004 - 2009 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.Last Modified October 1 2009