Poets on the Mountain Festival Celebrates Bush Poetry Tradition and Uncovers New Talent

23 Nov

Inducted as Living Legends of Australian Poetry, Ray Essery, Robyn Sykes and Bill Kearns.

GUYRA, NSW November 2023 - The inaugural Poets on the Mountain Festival held in Guyra, NSW, over the weekend proved to be a resounding success, reawakening the spirit of bush poetry and showcasing the talents of both established and emerging poets.

The highlight of the festival was the crowning of Paddy O'Brien as the overall winner of the NSW Bush Poetry Performance Championship, with Debby Berryman taking second place. In the written championship, David Judge emerged victorious with his poem "The Dream Team," followed by Catherine Lee with "Convict" and Glenn Palmer with "Billy Backtin." Kevin Pye impressed in the novice section with his winning entry, "Henry's Words." (Full Results ar below)

The festival also marked the debut of the Australian Bush Poetry Film Festival, an innovative addition to the Australian poetry landscape. Demetrius Yiiannis of the Griffith University Film School took home the top prize for his interpretation of Charles Harper's poem "A Basket of Summer Fruit." Skye Campen received an honorable mention for her film and original poem, "Barefoot."

The Guyra poets and musicians variety show entertained audiences with Gladys Wilson's heartfelt rendition of "Gum Tree's Lament" and Thundercloud's spirited performance of the classic "Rawhide Theme Song." The Rhymers Variety Show provided a side-splitting dose of comedy, leaving the crowd in stitches.

A crowning moment of the festival was the induction of three Living Legends of Australian Poetry into the Hall of Fame: Ray Essery, Robyn Sykes, and Bill Kearns. These esteemed poets were recognized for their significant contributions to the Australian bush poetry tradition.

Festival organizer James Warren expressed his delight with the festival's outcome, stating, "This first Poets on the Mountain festival has been a great success. It restarted the NSW Bush Poetry Championship, brought many visitors to Guyra, kicked off a new poetry genre with the Australian Bush Poetry Film Festival, and the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame is well on its way to being a center of Australian poetry excellency."

The Poets on the Mountain Festival has undoubtedly established itself as a significant event in the Australian poetry calendar, fostering a vibrant and diverse community of poets, performers, and enthusiasts. It promises to continue its mission to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of bush poetry while embracing new forms of expression and inspiring future generations of poets.