On Saturday 27th of March 2021, it was a privilege to be awarded the inaugural South Coast Writers' Centre Poetry Award.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place at the Wollongong Art Gallery as they had partnered with the writers' centre, the theme of the competition being in response to the 'Every Body' exhibition. It was quite special to be in person for the first time in a year, having had a number of the ceremonies last year of zoom or with announcements online.
It was also lovely to hear all of the shortlisted poets perform their poems. It's often so moving to hear a poet perform their own work, with their unique rhythms and intonations. It was wonderful to then spend time with these poets after the ceremony and a pleasure to meet Peter Frankis, Jack Oats, Denise O'Hagan, Kathleen Bleakley and Deborah Huff-Horwood who were all present.
The event was even more special as Ashley and my family could come along, with babysitters looking after boys. My friend Dr Mark Tredinnick was also invited to give a response to the theme and to share the importance of poetry in writing the humanity back into our lives.
My great thanks to all involved in the award; everyone at the South Coast Writers' Centre, esteemed poet and judge Ron Pretty OAM, and director Dr Sarah Nicolson.
The Awards
First Place: my poem - "Minumurra Sestets"
Second Place: Denise O'Hagan's - "If I Could"
Wollongong Art Gallery: Kathleen Bleakley - "Membranes"
Judges Comments
"This is one of a number of very fine poems by this writer, and we had some difficulty in agreeing on this as the best of them. It has the vivid imagery of the best of them, and the sense of a journey through a vibrant countryside, as well as the sense of a father on a journey of discovery of his son." Esteemed judge, Ron Pretty, OAM.