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Last Modified - December 2010 - Johnny Mac's info added
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This
page is under constant review This page contains
brief profiles of member poets Members
wishing to have their profiles added, E-Mail
the Webmaster Profiles are listed Alphabetically People or organisations requiring an individual poet should contact them personally for further information relating to their style of poetry, availability, cost etc.
Members listed on this page or recommended by our organisation are all performers of high standard and integrity, their poetry is generally suitable for all, however, please be aware that some Bush Poetry, including that of an earlier time, does contain some mild swearing, reference to bodily functions and political incorrectness. If such language may cause offence, please tell the poet so that unsuitable poems are not performed. Beware
Frauds and Foul Mouths - While there are several Bush
poets of high standard who, for various reasons are not members or
associates of our organisation or others of similar aims, unfortunately, there are also
a few
individuals calling themselves Bush Poets who do not have
either the standard of performance or ethics that our
organisation considers suitable. If in doubt, please contact a
committee person who will endeavour to determine the suitability of
unlisted people. |
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| The Poet | submitted information |
| Having retired from a life
as a farmer, Peter now lives on a small property just outside of
Albany. He is well known in the Great Southern Region for his involvement
in promoting Bush Poetry in the region. Peter is the organiser of the
highly successful Poets Breakfast which runs in association with the
Albany Show. Much of his poetry is drawn from his farming experiences,
often composed while driving his tractor. Peter has been a finalist at Tamworth and in 2005 was joint second place getter in the 2005 WA State Championships. poetblythe@oceanbroadband.net or phone 9844 6606 |
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Born in Hampshire,
England, 1982, she came to Australia for a holiday, met the love of
her life and remained, living the farming life down Esperance
way. Further information, and contact details may be found on her website www.victoriabrownpoet.com.au |
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Founder and inaugural
President of WABPA in 1995. Rusty promotes Bush Poetry and "Keeping
the Aussie Tradition Alive" at every opportunity throughout his
community, in the country and overseas. He has won awards at
Winton and been twice invited to the "Cowboy Poets of
America" festival. Open Champion at the Waltzing Matilda
Bush Poetry Festival 2004, Melville Citizen of the Year in 2001.
His business card reads "Bush Poet, Balladeer and Story
Teller" Ambassador for "2002 Year of the Outback" rustnjude@bigpond.com or phone 9364 4491 |
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Brian lives in Margaret River. "What I do today is very important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it" |
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BILL GORDON is a farmer and Performing poet from Boyup Brook. - He's submitted a bit more than a paragraph, so we've given him his own page click HERE to find out about Bill
Bill is currently the organiser / coordinator of the several Bush Poetry events which take place in conjunction with the Annual (February) WA Country Music Festival at Boyup Brook, including the biggest Bush Poetry event on the WA Calendar, the Sunday morning Bush Poets Brekky where over 2000 people get up early to come along and see the best Bush Poets in WA, along with some very high class performers from eastern parts. northlands@wn.com.au or phone 97651098 evenings. See a bit more about Bill |
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| Describing
himself as "an entertainment host, poet, musician and raconteur",
Peter is a well known Perth
celebrity, having spent many years in the TV and entertainment
industries (among others) - He is available as a guest speaker, he
also operates a specialty small vehicle charter fleet. Having at
times been everything from a message-boy to a writer of children's
books. In his mature years, he went to University, where, after many
years of academia, in 2006 he received his Doctorate of Philosophy
which now entitles him to call himself Dr Doodah, the Ace of
Klubs, promoting his philosophy of Love, Laughter and Longevity
peterharries@iprimus.com.au or phone 9446 1640 |
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John could well be called a
balladeer. He recites his own poetry about the incidences and
people of his time as well as many of the traditional verses of Banjo
Patterson, Henry Lawson and their contemporaries. John has
recorded with the ABC for the "Country Hour" as well as for
some special events. he travels extensively throughout
Australia, reciting at festivals, pubs and around campfires and
barbeques. He published his first book (with cassette tape)
"Till the Soil" in 1984. Ten years later, his book
"Fireside Reflections" was produced with 100 poems
celebrating 100 years of Australian History. All of John's poems
are as a result of extensive research. phone 9377 1238. John's Homepage (under construction) hayseed1@optusnet.com.au |
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Barry is a story teller and performer of
other people's poetry. He has an excellent repertoire of the works of WA
poet Syd Hopkinson and "Blue the Shearer" (Colin
Wilson). His performances are mainly chosen from these topical
and very popular humorous works. Barry can be contacted on
les057@bigpond.com
or phone 9329 9709 |
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Referring to himself as
"The City Poet", Brian was born in country WA in 1940 but
has lived much of his life in Perth. He writes and performs his own work which covers a broad range of
subjects. He has travelled widely in Australia and his poems are
drawn partly from his travels. You will
find very few billabongs or dying horses in Brian's poetry, but you
will get contemporary living, along the ocean, camping, a touch of nostalgia combined with humour
and perhaps a thought provoking poem about the struggles of our
pioneers. At the 2005 WA Bush Poetry Championships, Brian
achieved overall equal second place. Since that time, he has has also won several
awards both for written and performed verse.
Brian has self published 4 booklets of his poetry, His poetry style
and presentation gives him many "return gigs" at a number of
Senior Centres and groups around Perth briandot@tpg.com.au or phone 9361 3770 Brian's homepage |
| Arthur is a "Baby
Boomer" of World War 1 which means that he has been around for
considerable time. Apart from reciting at the WA Bush Poets
monthly Musters, he also frequently performs at the Peninsular Folk
Club. He has published numerous poems and articles for various
anthologies and has recently published his first book of poems
presenting poetry from his boyhood to senior citizenship. Some
are sentimental, some concern day to day living and when combined
become a cross section of his Life and Time. He has also recently
published his very interesting life story .He also recites some of
the classics for which he has received commendation. Arthur
works with High School students as a mentor alongside many other
community activities which feed his poetry. phone 08 64673351 |
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Do
you know anyone on the matrimonial Track? How about having a Bush
Poetry Wedding. Keith (Cobber) Lethbridge, currently WA State Champion Bush Poet, is not only an outstanding poet and raconteur but also a JP and authorised Marriage celebrant, So if wedding bells are in the offing, why not add a touch of the bush and make it Wedding Poems and Yarns as well. Having lived and worked most of his life in the Kimberleys, much of Cobbers poetry draws on people and situations from that frontier of Australian rural life. Keith has published 6 books of his poetry. His most recent achievement is to win the very prestigious "Bronze Swagman 2009" award for written Verse. Phone 9399 5270 |
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In
1971 at the age of nineteen I went to work on Moola Bulla station
Halls Creek where I stayed until 1985, (except for an overseas stint
and twelve months horse-breaking in New South Wales.)
At Moola Bulla I was head-stockman of the Mount Amhurst camp
(an out-station) then head-stockman of the Moola Bulla camp for nearly
ten years.
In 1985 my wife Debbie, daughter Dani, son Ryan and I moved to
Parron Place Badgingarra where I took over the management.
Parron was a fattening property for Moola Bulla steers, I stayed there
until it was sold in late 1997.
My wife and I purchased a 50 acre property near Jurien Bay so I
had somewhere to run my, what was becoming extensive horse plant.
I now travel North most years for the mustering season where I
work in the west Pilbara as a contract musterer.
My poetry reflects many of my bush experiences, some serious
and some funny.
In 2007 I was asked to perform at Boyup Brook and have now been invited back
several times.
I was also asked to perform at the Northampton Drought Busters
Heritage Week in April where I performed not only my poetry but poems
by P.J.Quilty, his father, Tom Quilty and poems by my favourite poet
Will Ogilvie and others. Phone 9652
6003 corin.linch@bigpond.com Corin can be heard on the ABC in the wee hours of the morning - Tuesdays I think, but I'm never up early enough to listen - Ed |
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“Broomehill-Billy”
Wayne, ‘urban drifted’ from bush, to big smoke, half a life ago,
discovering the trowel, and a mortar board of interests, challenges,
and experiences along the track. Bonded with mortar, these are the
foundation of his regular ‘ABC Great Southern’ breakfast radio
spot, where his poems go to air and are posted on “Wayne Pantall’s
Poems” www.abc.net.au/greatsouthern/poems.htm |
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Likes to recite the classic
Australian Poems to people who enjoy humorous stories and poems, apart
from some of his own derived from a very interesting life. David
spent his early childhood in Wanneroo from which he embarked on a
series of adventures to the Southern Wheatbelt where he learnt to
shear sheep. This skill took him to the Northwest with shearing
teams as well as to New Zealand. He took up farming in the Esperance
region but was forced off the land by drought. He then worked in local
government and is now back in Wanneroo as a bus contractor.
David prefers to perform north of the river and would like about 3
weeks notice for any engagement. phone 0419 967 358 David is currently working in remote areas and is unavailable for performances |
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Peg is a lady of mature
years who lives in Albany and writes and performs her poetry in a
friendly, personal style. She describes background as - "I grew up on an apple orchard near Mt. Barker, where we helped pick and pack the fruit, milked cows and soon learned if we didn’t want to be landed with extra chores, we had to get as far away from the house as possible, in so doing, I got to know the bush with all its wildflowers and birds. At times we ‘entertained’ neighbours with ‘concerts’ performed on the veranda. Poetry, drawing, birds and bush flowers were my greatest loves but as time went by I became aware these things would not sustain me and I had to go out and get a job. As becoming a brain surgeon was out of the question, I picked apples, worked in hospitals, colleges, cafes, shops and guest houses, cooking, cleaning and being a general dogsbody." It is is from these life experiences that Peg creates her poems, mostly humorous with a rural setting. Phone 9841 2129 |
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Non Performing Poets: The members listed here are writers only. They do not perform their work but have their poetry available for sale. |
Val Read - Val is a
very prolific Bush Poet and has published a number of books. Many of her
poems have won accolades in major competitions across Australia. Many
have also appeared in anthologies of contemporary rhyming verse.
Her most recent publication, "Whistling Foxes" has received
high acclaim. Val's highest achievement was winning Australia's
2008 major award for written "Bush Poetry", the "
Bronze Swagman " - phone Val on 9339 8349 Caroline Sambridge has come to
us from the general poetry scene, her booklet of poetry crosses
several genres |
Associates (Non Members) contact details and product availability not shown
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The Poet |
submitted information |
| "Yarnspinner Extraordinaire",
Peter was born in Cooma in the Snowy Mountains in the 1950s. 30 plus
years on, and now living in WA, Peter had found a nitch as a
storyteller and poet. His larrikin style soon had him in high demand
at the then regular poetry venue of the Leederville Hotel, He later ran a
similar event at "The West End" and still later at "Clancys" He
continues to host various poetry and folk events in both the city and
country towns. A regular at many Country festivals throughout Australia,
Peter is the currently WA Yarnspinning Champion. Peter is
not only a story teller but has a large repertoire of poetry, both his own
and those of others, traditional and contemporary.
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| Kerry writes and promotes
Bush Poetry in the community and schools. She and her husband
Rod also have a property "Diggers Camp" on the outskirts of Perth where visitors can
come and be entertained in a "Dinkum Aussie" setting.
Kerry was the Australian Ladies Bush Poetry Champion in 2003 and
runner up in 2004. She was also WA Champion in 2004. The family
is also very involved in promoting poetry in their community as
well as in country areas. Kerry's poetry is very varied,
original and ranges from the whimsical to sentimental and thought
provoking. |
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| Rod works with Kerry on
their property "Diggers Camp". Like Kerry, he too writes his own poetry which
he performs with gusto and passion. Rod has won a number of awards,
the highest being runner up (to Kerry) WA champion in
2004. The Lees poetry from their selection "Outside
Perth" will enthral any listener. Rod and Kerry have been
involved in the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, Marybrook
Winery (Margaret River) Festival, Dandaragan festival and the Royal
Show. From time to time Rod and Kerry host
"poetic" and wildflower minibus tours within country Western
Australia |
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Beth writes both serious and
funny Bush Poetry. She recites with a laconic style which so
often typifies the true Aussie Bush Poet. Beth is a lady with
many interesting personal experiences to relate and has tremendous
energy and compassion. Her first poem, written when she was just
ten was later used as a poem for High School students to
study. She has been writing seriously for the past eight years
or so. She is a member of the 3000 strong "International
Society of Poets" in Washington, USA. Many of her poems are
published in their compilations. (Beth may require transport) |
And a few current poets whose work is
largely unknown,
some of these may
not consider their work to be 'bush poetry', but they certainly write in that
genre.
Their verses verse would not be out of place in any gathering of Bush Poets
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The Poet |
about the poet |
Lesley lives in Perth and has featured on ABC Radio. In 2000 she self published her first book "A look on the light side" a collection of 57 delightful poems with topics which range from ABC radio programs through wildflowers, underwear with alarms, driving on the freeway and several about working at "Charlies" (Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital.)
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| John, a previous member of
the WA Bush Poets, currently lives in a nursing home in Perth but
spent much of his life in the Kimberlies, working with cattle.
Over the years he became quite a local identity in the Wyndham district.
During this time he also wrote a number of Bush Verses, along with some
autobiographical short stories. Since his retirement, he, with the
aid of his friend Katy Vickers has transcribed his (and those of others
that he collected along the way) poems from the many bits of paper they
were scribbled on into a comprehensive manuscript. Although John's
memory is failing, he still remembers vividly the circumstances that
inspired almost all of his poems. John has given me permission to
print his poems on this website, along with others that were given to
him "to do with as he liked", among them a couple of previously
unpublished poems from Dame Mary Durack (1913-1994) whom he knew well.
John has self published a 48 page booklet entitled "Drovers, Drifters,
Dreamers and Drongos" which includes a selection of his and other's
verses. |
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Send mail to briandot@tpg.com.au with submissions for this page or with comments about this website Copyright © 2004 -2010 WA BUSH POETS AND YARN SPINNERS ASSN INC. Original website design by Lyn Mitchell, This page, Modifications and maintenance since 2006 by Brian Langley. Photography by Roy Duperouzel and Lyn Mitchell.
Last Modified Dec 2010
