Ipswich Poetry Feast 2021 - 19th Annual International Poetry Competition

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Poetry

/ ‘pou tri/, n. The art of writing or speaking in rhythmic verse in order to express beautiful, imaginative thoughts.

Poetry Competition

We want your words – School and Open Age Categories.

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Teacher Resources

Get young people excited about poetry writing.

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Events

What’s On – 2021 Ipswich Poetry Feast Program.

Event Calendar

“He was lengthman on the railway, and his station scarce deserved That pre-eminence in sorrow” of the Majesty he served, But as dear to him and precious were the gifts reclaimed so soon. – Were the workman’s little daughters who were buried near Walloon.”

Henry Lawson, 1891

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The Babies of Walloon

The impetus for the Ipswich Poetry Feast came from Henry Lawson’s poem, “The Babies of Walloon” (1891), which recounts the tragic drowning of Bridget Kate and Mary Jane Broderick at a waterhole at Walloon, a rural township a short distance from Ipswich.

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“He was lengthman on the railway, and his station scarce deserved That pre-eminence in sorrow” of the Majesty he served, But as dear to him and precious were the gifts reclaimed so soon. – Were the workman’s little daughters who were buried near Walloon.”

Henry Lawson, 1891

Read Full Poem

International Poetry Writing Competition

Our community’s health and safety is our priority at this time,
therefore we have had to make the unfortunate decision to cancel
this year’s Ipswich Poetry Feast Official Launch and Poets Breakfast.
Fear not fellow poets, the competition will still go ahead.
The competition opens on Monday 9 August 2021.
We are looking forward to receiving your entries.

Opening Date	Monday, 9 August 2021
Closing Date	Sunday, 3 October 2021
Prize Money	Over $3,000 in prizes

The Ipswich Poetry Feast incorporates an annual poetry writing competition and a vibrant program of poetry related activities for all ages.

The International Poetry Writing Competition gives poets of all ages the opportunity to compete for over $3,000 in prizes and showcase their work. Widely promoted to schools, libraries and the general community, this competition attracts local, interstate and global entries.

Enter the 2021 Competition