Poets Union
Encyclopedia
The Poets Union is a not-for-profit organisation representing Australian poets, founded in Melbourne
in 1977, it is now Sydney
based. Its aim is to advocate the role of poetry
as a major art form in Australia. Every second year it presents the Australian Poetry Festival and the Union organises readings, workshops, tours, and festivals around the country. Its flagship publication, 5 Bells (named after the poem by Australian poet Kenneth Slessor
) is issued each quarter and features articles and poetry by its members. The poets union has over 600 members.
Its current committee is:
The Poets Union is currently supported by the Australia Council
, the NSW Ministry for the Arts, and Sydney City Council. The Union employs a Poetry Development Officer, currently Martin Langford, and an Office Manager.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1977, it is now Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
based. Its aim is to advocate the role of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
as a major art form in Australia. Every second year it presents the Australian Poetry Festival and the Union organises readings, workshops, tours, and festivals around the country. Its flagship publication, 5 Bells (named after the poem by Australian poet Kenneth Slessor
Kenneth Slessor
Kenneth Adolf Slessor OBE was an Australian poet and journalist. He was one of Australia's leading poets, notable particularly for the absorption of modernist influences into Australian poetry. The Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry is named after him.-Life:Slessor was born Kenneth Adolphe...
) is issued each quarter and features articles and poetry by its members. The poets union has over 600 members.
Its current committee is:
- Brook Emery - Chair
- Margaret Bradstock - Deputy Chair
- Anna Kerdijk-Nicholson - Public Officer
- David MusgraveDavid MusgraveDavid Musgrave is an Australian poet, novelist, publisher and critic. He is currently the publisher of Puncher & Wattmann, an independent press which publishes Australian poetry and literary fiction...
- Treasurer - Ann Hobson
- Rosemary Huisman
- John Sheppard
- John Batts
- Thomas Thorpe
The Poets Union is currently supported by the Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
, the NSW Ministry for the Arts, and Sydney City Council. The Union employs a Poetry Development Officer, currently Martin Langford, and an Office Manager.