Wordsmith wins at poetry comp

A BENDIGO bush poet has claimed the 2022 Banjo Paterson Literary Award.

At the Orange Readers and Writers Festival in New South Wales on Saturday, 6 August, David Judge won the contemporary poetry award for his piece I Am Who They Have Been.

The poem is a reflection of Judge’s ancestors who were miners and soldiers, their wives, and the impact they’ve had on his life.

Judge said while he doesn’t write for the recognition, to be honoured for his work is “satisfying and fulfilling.”

He said his piece is written in rhyming verse, rare for a contemporary award-winning poem.

“Most people see contemporary poetry as non-rhyming or open verse,” he said. “I don’t think that competition has ever awarded a rhyming poem… I was pretty happy with that.

“It’s a poem I’ve written in memory of those who’ve gone before us, but also thinking about our contribution; what my generation will contribute as time goes on.

“When you get to my age, you write poetry that’s reflected of times gone past, people you know, places you went to.”

The award follows on from Judge’s success at the Victorian Bush Poetry Championship in April, where his poem Bailed Up also took first prize.

He said judges can be quite strict when assessing works, marking its metre, rhyme, construction techniques, language, and overall impact.

“You’ve got to work out the rhyming structure, how many lines in each stanza… they all have to be consistent, right throughout the poem,” he said.

Judge said he takes inspiration from reading, research, family history and travelling, as well as famous Australian bush poets such as Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson.