ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I looked up an item on coming events on this ABPA web-site, because a mate of mine told me that he had entered several bush poems in the Banjo Paterson poetry competition at Orange. Just to check it out for curiosity.

I found that in the Banjo Paterson poetry comp there are several sections, each with its own prize.

The open poetry section has first prize of $1000.
The bush poetry section has first prize of $500.

I did wonder about that. Given that the event is in memory of A.B. Paterson, the prize for bush poetry is half that of the prize for " open " poetry, whatever that may include ( we shall find out, maybe ).

Is there a message there ?

It's not the only competition that has odd variations like that, Neville, and I have no idea why.

The Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts comp. offers $200 for open poetry (max. 30 lines) and $100 for bush poetry (max. 52 lines)...figure that one out!

The Grenfell Henry Lawson comp. gives $450 for serious bush poetry, $250 for humorous bush poetry and $300 for open poetry (all max. 48 lines), so apparently serious bush verse is worth more than humorous, with free verse (which presumably dominates the open poetry section) somewhere in between. (In similar vein, Dunedoo offers $200 for serious bush poetry and $100 for humorous.)

The Eastwood/Hills comp. has $150 for open poetry and $100 for bush poetry (max. 80 lines).

But there are other competitions that offer the same prize money for different poetry sections. It'd be interesting to know the thinking behind the varying amounts...maybe there are built-in assumptions, maybe not. Who knows?

Cheers
David

I guess that these organisers rely on sponsors and can only offer what a donor is prepared to give in any category.

G'day all,

In case anyone wonders why the odd amounts in entry fees and prize monies for the Kembla Flame; we are bound by the South Coast Country Music Assn. They insist we keep our fees and prizes the same as the other events they hold throughout the festival that weekend. This is the only drawback that I can see about holding the KF in conjunction with them.

Interesting - I had never noticed that - bet the entry fee is the same though for each section. Perhaps it would be worth while our Committee asking why the discrepancy - because it appears totally illogical and also extremely unfair. It's a good way to get some sections of a competition ignored I would be thinking

There could be any number of reasons why competitions offer differing prize money in different sections that they may be running.

If for example, free verse is the dominant form in written poetry these days and that section of the AB Paterson Competition (for argument sake) drew double the number of entries as the bush poetry section, the organisers can probably afford (and easily justify) greater money being offered there. It is probably the same situation in the Eaglehawk competition too, more than likely it is all down to the number of entries received. It could be due to the modern bias given to free verse by academia too in terms of its value, that is also a possibility but may not necessarily be the case.

In terms of the bush poetry sections of a competition offering more in the serious sections than in the humorous, that is a situation that should be addressed - they are both equally important to our craft. Even then though, it could also be a numbers thing - many poets have suggested to me (more so than the other way around) that humorous poems are harder to write than serious poems. If this is in fact true for the majority of poets, then you will expect to see more entries in the serious section and the bias in prize money may easily be justified that way. If equal prize money was offered in both sections, you may see some of those 'serious' writers pushing themselves harder to become better 'humorous' writers - it certainly doesn't hurt to challenge yourself to go outside your normal boundaries.

In the end though, it is up to the organisers to determine their prizes, it is not up to the ABPA to dictate to them the full extent as to how their prizes are to be distributed.

Good points John. The only one we can offer any other 'logic' for is Dunedoo. They really only have one category (i.e. original) but they give a bonus prize to the best humorous. The poem that takes out this bonus prize may not even be in the top 6 poems selected as winners. Of course, this raises another point that humorous poems are either not up to the standard of writing in serious poems or that many judges do not perceive them to be. The latter is a valid reason for having a separate category for humorous poetry.

Brenda and Hal

I tend to write more humorous and after getting told by the judge ? at Tamworth that I should consider the type of poems that I submit I think the previous notes might be valid.

Do not have any gripe with prize monies as every says that is not why we enter ???

I do not enter many comps but the thing that niggles me is all the hullaballoo that you have to do to enter . Three copies and headers attached to each, I do not agree with the length restrictions as well ( it takes what it takes to say what you want ) ect.

And this is after you pay your entry fee? I would rather pay a couple of dollars more and have all the copies done for me.

Grumble Grumble Grumble

Grandad Bob

When I won the Blackened Billy, I received less prize money than for a second place in the Golden Damper Performance Comp. Maybe the bulk of money, when written comps are combined in the same comp event with performance comps then the Performance Section is worth more simply because it generates an income and provides an entertainment aspect that is putting bums on seats. Speaking purely on Bush Poetry although I would believe the same would go for other forms of Spoken Word.

Neil

some interesting points raised and some great answers - Thanks Peely for yours which I certainly had not considered - seems oils aint oils or not in poetry circles anyway. Discussions like this are very helpful I think.