Statue of the Water Babies of WalloonIpswich Poetry Feast 2013

An annual program of literary events aimed at encouraging, promoting and showcasing poets and poetry writing for all ages.

International Poetry Writing Competition

Ipswich Performance Poetry Competition: From Page to Stage

Program of Events

Poetry Feast Brochure (1.1MB pdf)

2012 Writing Competition Winners

Reflections around a waterhole
Buy a copy of the Ipswich Poetry Feast 10th Anniversary Book now!

Background

In the latter part of the nineteenth century two young children, Bridget and Mary Broderick, drowned at a waterhole at Walloon. This tragic event was the subject of a poem penned by Henry Lawson in 1891 titled "The Babies of Walloon". This link to Henry Lawson resulted in the redevelopment of nearby Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park which includes a bronze life sized statue memorialising the two little girls and a bronze Henry Lawson lectern and poet's platform.

The Ipswich Poetry Feast is a citywide initiative aimed at commemorating this significant event through the introduction of an annual international poetry writing competition and events that:

Thank you to our Sponsors and Media & Project Partners

Sponsors

Ipswich City Council logo  Joy Chambers & Reg Grundy   Rosewood Green     Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network    Edwards Property Pty Ltd    

Media & Project Partners

River 94.9    Metro Hotels   Queensland Times

Top of Page