I've put this website together so that I can tell you a bit about myself and my work.
To see my published titles of bush poetry, click on the WORKS menu item on the left. You'll learn a bit about them all. There are sample poems from each title as well.
In the BIOGRAPHY item I've given you an outline of my life. I must say it's been a varied and colourful journey until now and if I remain positive, the best and most creative periods are yet to come. So I will be adding to this section.
If you are interested (after reading some of the information provided) in my poetry and wish to buy any of the items displayed, then I've provided the means for you to do so under the BUY menu item.
I give performances of my own work, Traditional songs, bush poetry, bush ballads and poetry by past writers and several current works, done with the permission of the authors.
I also have a special show that I do for Primary school kids and children's groups. My beautiful “Bonza Blue Dog” Jessie is of course, the “Star”.
I am one of the N.S.W. Education Department's approved performers and can be found on their website www.schools.nsw.edu.au/pfs
Again, if you're interested, have a look at the BOOKINGS menu item on the left.
I've won a lot of awards and recognition for my poetry and performances. I've listed these under the AWARDS menu item. Not to big note myself but to show there's others beside myself who see value in my work. I hope you become one of them.
UP TO ILUKA
Jess (my Blue Dog) and I have been up to Iluka (Northern side of the Clarence River mouth) at request of friend Peter Klein who is in the process of getting his second children's book together.
We all spent a day (Peter and his son Sam — me and Jess) at Iluka Primary School and had a fantastic time with the Iluka kids.
Pete's book is set in the Bundjalung National Park.
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STORIES COMING SOON
After returning recently from the Upper Murray town of Corryong, where I had a great time at the festival (performing lots of poems and singing lots of songs) I have been fired up to write and tell a lot of the stories that have been living inside me, since I played a fairly major role in helping the Gurindji tribe win back the rightful ownership of their land!
While I was at Corryong (through some prize money, book and CD sales and a few bob for a couple of gigs) I was able to pay my expenses and get down to Melbourne, where Jessie (my Bonza Blue Dog) and I stayed for two days and nights with Rob and Kay Oke in North Melbourne.
Thrilling and significant, as I had only met Rob and Kay once and that was in Melbourne 38 years ago, the night before my first trip to the Gurindji homeland in the Northern Territory. Rob and Kay (we were all much younger then, with tons of energy and go) were heavily involved with ABSCHOL, which was the driving force behind the original movement to support the Gurindji after their walk-off from Wave Hill station. I was a member (and head of the Work committee) of “Save the Gurindji Campaign” of which Frank Hardy was the Co-ordinator.
We pawed over the files, receipts, letters and my journals from up there (which are still in my possession) and talked about what should be done with them. The meeting brought a lot of the memories back and those are the stories that need to be told.
Click here to read a sample of one of these stories, “WITH VINCENT BY THE FIRE!!”
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MY OLD MATE'S DROVING MEMORIES
I have recently finished editing “Life in the saddle” by Viv Walsh, memories of his many years as a Drover.
I kept pushing and prodding Viv, who lives in Murrurundi, (even though I had recorded some of his experiences and had written poems about his droving feats) to write some of his recollections down when he'd often complain and say - “What's an old Drover do to put in time?”
One day Viv phoned me and said – “I've started writin' a bit of a story!” – I was overjoyed to hear this!
It's just been compiled for family and friends at this stage with a copy to The Stockman's Hall of Fame, but it will be a valuable Historical Document and later, may turn into a bigger book!
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Special Xmas/New Year offer:
$28.00 for FROGS & DOGS & KIDS — BOOK & CD including P&P.
ALSO $3.00 OFF ALL OTHER INDIVIDUAL ITEMS.
Click on the WORKS menu item or here for more information on the items available.
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