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Three poets are chosen after a public call for applications (usually closing around March or April). Applicants must be Poets Union members at time of application and NSW residents. The poets are chosen to reflect a mix of age, style, experience and location. Those previously selected include some of Australia's leading poets.
The tours work across a five-year cycle visiting North Coast, West, North West, South Coast and South West NSW. Most of the travel is by train. The touring poets learn a lot and sell books. Returnees report being enthused and exhausted as they meet new landscapes and communities. For poets, it is regarded as a unique experience, which should be a part of any serious poet's CV.
A multiplicity of benefits for local communities accrues from these tours:
Schools are great beneficiaries. Creative writing is a large part of the modern English syllabus and the visiting writers give a great head start to students. Poets On Wheels offers a professional program at no charge to the regional centres it visits. Participating schools are asked only for a lift or cab to and from the school and the poets' accommodation.
The public readings are also a proven winner for the host community. They bridge gaps between the different styles and they also bridge the age-old gap between Sydney and rural New South Wales. The tour has funding for a modest first prize and runner-up certificates for the best local readers at the public readings. This recognition is a great morale booster to aspiring local writers. This is typical of the Poets On Wheels tour, where both locals and visiting poets all learn from each other. The reading is usually spread over 2-3 hours with the touring poets reading first (15 minutes apiece) followed by an open section for locals. The evening concludes with the prize giving. It can be at a pub, theatre, or local library, or it can be tied to a festival program.
The Workshops are usually held in a local library or ACE or community centres and are open to a mix of styles and stages. It's often a good idea to invite senior students from local high schools as history shows that a few students amongst the adults works well for all concerned.
Poets On Wheels tours are currently organised by Poets Union member, Les Wicks and Chairperson, Brook Emery on a voluntary basis.
Australia's best-known poetry touring project is up and running again, this time exploring West of the Range NSW by train for a week starting 16 October. One of the previous poets says, "Irrespective of whether you're 'up-and-coming' or have just had your 30th book published, these tours are an invaluable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Go for it!" The poets will be performing and running workshops in a range of venues from pubs to schools. You'll learn a lot, sell books, be enthused and exhausted as you meet new landscapes & communities. Applicants will need to: The Poets Union actively encourages diversity - of region, style, gender and professional development stage. Most of those previously chosen didn't come from Sydney. You will be paid $875, have all NSW train travel ex Sydney plus 'on tour' accommodation paid. The Poets Union particularly encourages poets who have not been on an earlier POW tour to apply but those who have been previously toured may apply again. Please send a CV detailing relevant experience, along with five pages of sample poetry to: Poets Union Australia's best-known poetry touring project is up and running again, this time exploring North Coast NSW by train for a week starting 29 August. One of the previous poets says, "Irrespective of whether you're 'up-and-coming' or have just had your 30th book published, these tours are an invaluable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Go for it!" The poets will be performing and running workshops in a range of venues from pubs to schools. You'll learn a lot, sell books, be enthused and exhausted as you meet new landscapes & communities. Applicants will need to: *have some experience in reading and workshopping *be flexible *have or be prepared to get an ABN * be a member of the Poets Union (you can join at the same time you apply) * by Arts NSW funding guidelines, be a resident of NSW. The Poets Union actively encourages diversity - of region, style, gender and professional development stage. Most of those previously chosen didn't come from Sydney. You will be paid $875, have all NSW train travel ex Sydney plus "on tour" accommodation paid. This is a landmark experience for established poets & you play a vital mentoring role with your co-tourists. The Poets Union particularly encourages poets who have not been on an earlier POW tour to apply, but those who have been previously toured may apply again. POW is sponsored by Arts NSW. ITINERARY
Congratulations to Poets Union members, Sarah Attfield (Carringbah), Harry Laing (Braidwood) and Bee Perusco (Thirroul), on their selection for this year's Poets On Wheels tour. They will give readings and present workshops at Albury, Cootamundra, Goulburn, Griffith, Tumbarumba and Wagga Wagga, September 1-7.
ABOUT THE POETS
Sarah Attfield's first collection of poetry, Hope in Hell focused on the experiences of four working class people. She has been published in many Australian journals and has read her work in a variety of venues. She is currently completing a PhD.
Harry Laing is a poet, comic performer and writer. He is also a dynamic and entertaining presenter of his own work. Together with his partner, Nicola, he presents PoetryAlive workshops. He lives in the bush near Braidwod. His first book Thirst was published in the UK.
Bee Perusco is a closet poet who outed herself in 2001 with the help of an imaginary sea creature named Reena. Her first work is an illustrated collection from her 15 minute multi media performance poetry show called HOMELESS - a sea creature speaks. She has performed widely.
POETS ON WHEELS ITINERARY
All public readings will have an open section at which a prize will be awarded for best local reader. For more information please see the NSW list of events.
Friday September 1
COOTAMUNDRA
Saturday September 2
WAGGA WAGGA
Monday September 4
TUMBARUMBA
Tuesday September 5
ALBURY
ALBURY
Wednesday September 6
GOULBURN
Thursday September 7
GOULBURN |
Poets On Wheels is Australia's best-known poetry tour. The first tour took place over fifteen years ago. Since then, they have been annual events. The tours are organised by the Poets Union whose brief is to encourage the dissemination and appreciation of poetry throughout Australia. The
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