A beloved community literary event with international acclaim is fast approaching in Emerald.
The Emerald Hub will host the annual Woorilla Poetry Prize once more on 16 November from 2pm, promising an afternoon of literary delights.
Breaking previous years’ records, founder Maria Millers said they have received more than 900 quality entries, not just from across Australia but also from overseas, Spain, UK, USA and India.
“The Woorilla Prize has grown over the years from a small local prize to one of the major literary prizes in Australia,” she said.
The shortlisted and winning poets will be announced by judges at the hybrid presentation event, which will be broadcast online from the group’s social media.
“This year, we are honoured to have Andy Jackson as judge for the Judith Rodriguez Open Category and Gayelene Carbis returns to judge the Louise Rockne Youth Section,” said Ms Millers.
A well published poet, Andy Jackson, mentor to writers at Melbourne University and won the ALS Gold Medal and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for his innovative collection, Human Looking, which delves into themes of disability, identity and the human body.
“He lives with Marfan Syndrome and his work often challenges conventional perceptions of the human body,” said Ms Millers.
Gayelene Carbis is an Australian–Irish–Cornish–Chinese writer of poetry, prose and plays. Her I Have Decided to Remain Vertical was awarded Finalist in two international awards, the International Best Book Award
2023 and Poetry Book Awards 2023, UK.
The keynote speaker for the event is Alicia Sometimes, who is well known for her weekly appearances on Melbourne radio and for her latest collection, Stellar Atmospheres, where she turns science into poetry. She has also judged for the prize in previous years.
Victorian Slam Poetry Champion, Aloma Davis, will be on hand to read out the judges’ selection and perform some of her own work
The Woorilla crew encourage the community to come along and enjoy the afternoon and be immersed in the world of poetry.
“For those who may have been sadly inoculated against enjoying poetry by bad school experiences, it may come as a surprise that poetry today is relevant, vibrant. It comes in many forms and is enjoyed across generational divides,” said Ms Millers.
“How many remember Amanda Gorman’s stirring poem, The Hill We Climb, delivered at the 2021 inauguration of President Biden or UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage’s Coronation poem from the viewpoint of an ordinary person,” she said.
Coming in varied forms from the traditional ballads and sonnets, so much a part of our literary tradition, to the free forms of today, Ms Millers said there is no such thing as a strictly poetic subject.
The event, while a competition, is about celebrating poetry, providing creativity and connection among poets, along with some live entertainment from local musicians.
Rebellion Bird, a duo featuring singer-songwriter Erin Downie and virtuoso guitarist Nico Distefano, will be on hand to play live, and there will be a very special drop-in bush ballad performance from Mel and Susie, who will say G’Day from Lightning Ridge.
“If you are lucky enough to live in Victoria, join us for an afternoon of poetry, music and delicious refreshments,” said Ms Millers.
Alternatively, join online from your sofa if you are unable to attend. The event will be streamed live from the Woorilla Poetry Prize Facebook page for those who are too far away to be there
Register to join the event either online or in person. Registration prices are a donation and vary depending on what you can contribute.
