ABPA — The Australian Bush Poets Association Inc.

Welcome to the Australian Bush Poets Association

WELCOME. Membership of the Australian Bush Poets Association (ABPA) is comprised of writers, performers and individuals who are interested in bush poetry and enjoy written and live stories in rhyme and metre. If you have an interest in this piece of Australian culture called bush poetry, you have come to the right place.

Aims
The objectives of the Australian Bush Poets Association are to foster and encourage the growth of bush poetry in Australia. By definition, Australian bush poetry is metred and rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians and/or the Australian way of life.

Membership
To join the Australian Bush Poets Association and receive our bi-monthly magazine, go to our Membership page.

The ABPA keeps in touch with its members through this website (and forum) and our bi-monthly magazine of bush poetry news, events, results of written and performance competitions as well as samples of contemporary bush poetry. Many members have books, CDs and other products. These can be advertised in the magazine. For rates, click here. The deadline for ads and other content for the magazine is the 22nd of the month preceding publication. Magazines are published at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October and December.

Check out our Facebook page.

Tamworth Country Music Festival 2025

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Vale Ken Dean

On New Year’s Eve Ken passed away in Lithgow hospital, NSW, after a long illness. Although he performed on occasion, Ken was mostly a writer of bush verse. He won some awards and produced two books of his own verse.

He and Milton Taylor were great mates. Although they worked together at one time, neither knew that the other wrote poetry. It wasn't something that was mentioned on building sites. It wasn't until years later that they met again, I think at a poetry event, that they admitted to each other that they were verse writers. The friendship was strengthened by their common interest and Ken and his wife Jeanette travelled extensively, attending poetry events and performances, especially those where Milton appeared.

Ken’s funeral was held at Hoskin’s Memorial Uniting Church, Lithgow on Tuesday 14th January.

Vale Ron Selby

Ron Selby 7.10.45 – 9.12.24

It is with great sadness that I need to inform everyone of the passing of Ron Selby on Monday December 9th.

A family man, Ron was married to Joy and had 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren.

Originally from Sydney, Ron had a tough life as a youngster and later did all manner of jobs from truck driving to working in pubs and clubs and even as a DJ with Joy. It was the case in those days for many people of working several jobs to put together the deposit for a house and get out of the rental market.

He was a very proud Aussie, big on remembering the Vietnam vets (loved the expression: they gave their tomorrow for our today). He was quite a handyman with a penchant for making dog kennels and bars for those who referred to have a bar of their own in their house. He even made Joy a make-believe telephone box which took Joy back to the courting days. The days when either Ron or Joy would ring a public phone box at a certain time, and the other one would hopefully answer the phone. It meant you always had to have a threepence handy!

I first met Ron back in the 1990s and in 1994 Ron was the acting treasurer for the ABPA, the same year I was on the committee. Ron was also an inaugural secretary of the ABPA and editor of the monthly magazine as well as a stint as president.

He loved his bush poetry, and had books of verse out including a joke book and numerous CDs. His first book “The Born Loser” was published in 1998. This contained verse and stories about his life.

I’ve always thought of Ron as “Happy go lucky, reliable, and fair dinkum”.

My condolences go to Ron’s family, and extended family. Ron’s funeral was held Friday 20 December in Toowoomba.

Geoffrey W Graham.

Vale Jack Drake

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jack Drake in the early hours of Monday 9 December 2024.

A favourite performer of so many fellow poets and audiences alike, Jack was a pleasure to watch. His “Cattledog’s Revenge” series and “Bronco Harry’s Last Ride” and “Realities of War” will go down as classic modern artworks.

Jack was a great bloke to know and chat with. He had extensive experience and knowledge of horses but he loved history. A prolific reader, he knew so much about history - both Australian and overseas - and authored several books himself. His most recent book “The Stringybark Fox” about legendary but little-known prospector John Dickie was launched at the Winton Outback Writers’ Festival in June 2024. It’s a great read and reveals the amazing exploits of a unique individual otherwise lost to history.

It was wonderful to see Jack appear at the final Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush Festival in April 2024. While he had retired from performance, it showed the love he had for poetry and his poetry mates. He will be sorely missed.

Jack’s funeral was held at the Stanthorpe Cemetery on Wednesday 18 December. RIP Jack Drake.

Vale Tom O’Connor

Tom O’Connor passed away suddenly on Friday 22/11/24. Tom and his wife Desma, always spoke so fondly of the Man from Snowy River Festival. It was such a special time in his life going to festivals to perform and admire other artists.

Desma is doing a wonderful job coping, although it was such a shock for us all. He had a huge stroke/bleed to the brain following a day procedure.

Evie Jennings (Granddaughter).

I have fond memories of dear Tom and enjoyable times shared with bush poets at festivals in Corryong and Benalla for many years. In 2019 he was so chuffed to win a personal trophy and his name added to the perpetual trophy for the coveted MFSR Recital award after several attempts. Always supported by Desi, Tom loved the friendships and camaraderie we all found within the bush poetry groups from all over the country. Thank you Tom.

Jan Lewis.

Today we say goodbye to Tom OConnor - a very special bloke, old school, big smile, great outlook on life, passionate about life, his family and his poetry. Tom was an avid traveller to many festivals to strut his stuff.. including Narrandera, Maldon, Benalla & Corryong and Bendigo Goldfields Bush Poets sessions…always accompanied by Desma.

In earlier days it was often Tom with his older brother Jack……what a pair!

Our condolences to Desma and his family. ...Sadly missed. RIP Tom.

Geoffrey W. Graham.

Vale Doc Bland

Derek Bland (Doc) has passed away after a valiant fight against cancer.

Doc leaves the love of his life Linda, his son Terry and daughter Summer Both their partners and the rest of his much-loved family. Doc was a fabulous person and will be missed terribly.

Please join family and friends as we say goodbye to a great man. There will be lots of poets, musicians and friends on Wednesday at 32 Tallowwood Drive, Deception Bay Qld in the chapel at 1.30. It would be great to send Doc off with the demonstration of our admiration and love for him.

Poem for Doc. (Derek BLAND)

When life on earth is at an end
And time has now been spent
We learn that years were ours to spend
But life is merely lent
But Doc our mate, our valued friend
We’ll keep you in our mind
Your smiling face will stay with us
Good friends are hard to find
We’ve loved your words, we sang your songs
Your books we'll keep with pride
Inspiring us for oh so long
It’s been a joyous ride
So now goodbye our lanky mate
No need to duck for doors
No pain or sadness, no more wait
The universe is yours.

Mick Martin.

Past Magazines now online

The historic magazines of the ABPA from its inception in 1994 are now available here. See how we used to look!

See previously featured poets.

See previously featured achievers.