World Poetry Day finds rhythm

PEOPLE with a passion for poetry can hear the regions finest wordsmith read some of their finest works at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre on Wednesday (March 18).

It is the 10th year Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation (GRLC) has held the event.

Local poet and SurfCoast U3A president John Bartlett hosted the first of these evenings and will be returning to host once more.

Mr Bartlett said he has enjoyed seeing the event flourish.

“It’s something that’s grown more year by year. Last year particularly we had a very big crowd. I think a lot of people were surprised there were so many interested in poetry and that Geelong’s not just a place for football.

“There are a lot of good local poets.”

Local poets David McCooey, Jo Langdon, Cameron Lowe, Maria Takolander and Melbourne poet Rose Lucas will all be speaking at the event.

Yvonne Adami had the idea for the event more than a decade ago.

She noticed that several poets from the Geelong region were frequently featured in annual publication “The Best Australian Poetry”, and suggested these poets be celebrated.

The publication no longer runs but its legacy in Geelong remains.

Mr Bartlett said he is pleased by how many people in the enjoy poetry, not only in Geelong but in the Surf Coast, where he recently began running a poetry course through U3A.

“Surprisingly I think more and more people are interested in poetry.

“We had a full class (for the poetry course) with 15 students this term. So, it seems to be popular down here too.”

The event will run from 6:30-8:30pm.

Attendance is free, but bookings are required.

People can register at through eventbrite.com.au.