Banjo’s Birthday begins Orange’s big bush poetry bash

The 10th annual Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival begins this Friday with a “birthday party” getting the packed 10-day program started.

Orange’s annual poetry festival honours its favourite literary son, Andrew “Banjo” Paterson, who was born at “Narrambla” near Orange on February 17, 1864.

Friday evening’s festival launch event, Banjo’s Birthday Party at Banjo Paterson Park, is all about celebrating the poet’s connection to Orange and the surrounding district.

“That’ll really kick the festival o !” Organising Committee Chair and Rotary Club of Orange member, Len Banks, said.

“There’ll be walk-up poets, but also a bit of Banjo history, in and around Orange and recognition of the fact that he was born in this area and what he contributed to poetry in general.”

Bookings for festival events have been strong, Len said, urging people to act fast in order to avoid being disappointed.

Molong’s Poetry Brawl at the Freemason’s Hotel on Saturday, February 18, is filling up fast, he said, and Heifer Station Wines’ Wrath of Grapes is already booked out.

And there’s a lot of interest in Sunday’s ‘Poets’ Brunch’ out at Yeoval, Len said, although there will be enough room to accommodate everyone.

“Plenty of people are going to be out at Yeoval this coming Sunday and there’s always a good day of entertainment,” He said.

“People can just rock up there and there’ll be quite a few bush poets and singers out there, have a barbecue lunch and have a look at the Banjo Paterson museum.”

And anyone wanting to know more about the life of Paterson should not miss Greg North’s presentation at the Orange Seniors Hub on Monday evening.

A three-time Australian champion bush poet himself, Greg will be presenting the history and selected verse from Banjo’s career.

“He’ll be doing a show that he calls ‘The Life And Rhymes Of Banjo Patterson’. So he recites a fair bit of Banjo poetry and he’ll have a book he’s put together that he’ll launch there as well,” Len said

But of course a major highlight of the festival this year is the inclusion of the National Bush Poetry Performance Championships. One of the premier performance competitions in Australia it draws poets from all around the country.

That takes place at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club on Thursday and Friday (February 23–24) and is a “must-see” event, Len said

The 2023 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival gets underway this Friday, February 17 and runs until Sunday, February 26. For the full program of events, times, locations and ticket information visit: www.orange360.com.au are available from the Administration Office from Thursday, 9 March 2023, or at the information evening

Wednesday, 8 March 2023 7:00pm in Mercy Hall.

Applications

will be open from Thursday, 9 March 2023 and will close Friday, 5 May 2023

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Catherine McAuley

Wednesday, 8 March 2023 St Mary’s

Students from other schools may book into either day, subject to numbers. Bookings open Monday, 20 February 2023 and close Tuesday, 28 February 2023. Please call the school on 6362 1422 to book.

We are taking applications for all other year groups.