Bush Poetry Contents

Australian Bush Poetry, Verse & Music

Poetry on these pages are listed by the poet who wrote it. Over time, it is hoped that more and more pages will be added, however any of you who write web pages will know that this requires work over time when the time can be afforded.

If you wish any of your own verse published here, please email me and include 5 pieces of verse. This makes the pages worthwhile and I will organise links back to your own pages if you have them. No problems in advertising books, CDs etc either. Make sure you submit a bit of a story about yourself together with a photo if possible with the verse so the world can know a little about you.

The Poetry and Verse of:-

Modern Poets:-

Jack Drake: Jack lives in Stanthorpe in Queensland. Probably best known around the traps for his two very famous poems, "The Cattle Dog's Revenge" and "The Cattle Dog's Return". Jack has been a major award winner in bush poetry and has published a number of books and CD's.
Kym Eitel: Kym Eitel comes from Central Queensland and her love for country living and horses shows through in her poetry. Some of her poems are based on true events, while some are completely made up out of her scatter-brained head. Serious, sad or silly – her variety of poetry will keep you interested, intrigued or in tears.
Graham Jenkin: Graham is a bit of a legend in Bush Poetry and music circles. Two of his best ballads are on the site her at his pages. Graham is also well known for his involvement in the Australian music group, "The Overlanders".
Vivienne Ledlie: Vivienne lives in the Redlands Shire, Queensland, and is a long-time member of the Redlands Poets Society. While bush poetry is her first love, she also enjoys the challenge of writing different poetry formats, e.g. sonnets, haiku, ovillejo etc.
Kevin Magher: Kevin is an ex shearer who comes from Geelong. His poetry reflects a lifetime of shearing and travelling our great country
Laurie Meintjes: Laurie lives near Newcastle in NSW. He spent many years in Papua New Guinea and apart from his poetry has written a book entitled "Pretzel Legs"
Neil McArthur: Neil is one of Australia's best known comic poets. He lives in Ballarat, Victoria but travels widely as a regular performer. People generally start laughing as soon as Neil walks on to a stage and are still going long after he finishes. Best known perhaps for his great works "The Gay Farmhand" and "Shopping Trolley Rage" among others.
Wayne Pantall: Wayne comes from the Great Southern Region of WA, and now lives in Victoria Park. "The Broomehill Billy" enjoys writing poetry on any topic for his regular ABC Radio breakfast spot. He is a member of the WA Bush Poets and Yarn Spinners, performs a wide variety of poetry, loves a good time, and a good laugh.
Ric Raftis: Ric is the webmaster for this site. He writes when he gets time which is quite rare these days. A member of the Central Goldfields Bush Poets and attendee of as many events as possible throughout Victoria
Carol Reffold: Carol is a well known and well travelled poette who hails from Sunbury in Victoria. Carol is a great supporter of many events where you will often find her either competing or judging.
Dennis Scanlon: Dennis spent all his working life in the stock industry and now in his retirement has drawn on much of this experience to provide the themes for many of his poems.
Steve Smith: Steve hails from Wedderburn in Victoria. Steve has a great wit and has written some terrific verse. With his many interests, he doesn't get the time for writing that he might like, but still finds time to perform as a comedian locally with several characters he has developed for the stage
Val Wallace: Val is a member of the Hunter Valley Bush Poets and has written some very entertaining verse. Unfortunately, we don't know too much about her but we are trying to find out a little more at the moment!
Rod Williams: Rod Williams is a remarkable man and could well be regarded as the epiotome of the true Australian. He has been a farmer, a shearer, an actor, stockman, timber and mill-worker and no doubt a myriad of other things, all of which give him plenty of perspective of life in its many roles to write and perform fantastic bush poetry
Col Wilson aka "Blue the Shearer": Col Wilson or "Blue the Shearer" as he is sometimes better known, has been around the traps for many years now. His verse and wit are famous across the length and breadth of the country and many people in audiences at poet’s breakfasts often request a poem of his. A couple of his most requested poems are included on his pages.
A. Nonymous: Well it's hard to say if this person is modern or one of the old masters of course, but he/she has written heaps of verse!!! If you know the author of any of them, please let me know so I can attribute the writing to the correct person.

The Old Masters

Barcroft Henry Boake: Perhaps little known, but a very beautiful and descriptive writer who was highly regarded by Banjo Paterson. We have links on these pages to more extensive coverage of his work.
Adam Lindsay Gordon: Adam Lindsay Gordon wrote some great poetry but died by his onw hand as a result of recurrent depression. This is reflected in his poetry at times. Most famous for "Gordon's Leap" at Mt Gambier in South Australia where he performed a remarkable horse feat. He was an exceptional horseman reputed to be able to "turn a horse on a threepenny bit".
Mary Hannay-Foott: Best known for the beautiful piece of bush poetry "Where The Pelican Builds Her Nest"
Henry Lawson: Henry Lawson is one of Australia's best known bush poets who wrote around the same time as Banjo Paterson. Lawson was very much the champion of the downtrodden and a lot of his work could well be regarded as social comment. Great reading to gain a perspective on life in his time.
Dorothea Mackellar: Dorothea wrote the very famous poem "My Country". It used to be a standard in schools and many Australians know and love this work. Amazingly enough, many people think the poem starts with the words of the second verse! Have a look and see if you knew the first verse.
John O'Brien or Father Patrick Hartigan: Two of his best known poems would be "Around The Boree Log" and "Said Hanrahan", but there were many others and we have a few treasures here for you to read.
Will Ogilvie: Will Ogilvie didn't spend a long time in Australia, but he has a great way of describing this land. A remarkable poet in my opinion, he has a magical turn of phrase and a great ability to weave subtle messages beneath a good story.
Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson: Perhaps Australia's best known and loved bush poet. His work covered an enormous range from comedy to social comment to bush stories amongst others. Probably best known for his immortal classics "The Man From Snowy River" and "Clancy of the Overflow".
Thomas E. Spencer: Spencer was quite a good writer and has an interesting history. His best known piece "How McDougall Topped The Score" is published here.

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Our currently featured poet is:-

Wayne Pantall

Wayne is the latest poet to have his work on the site. Read his poetry and book him for a performance! Click on his photo for access to his pages.