WINNERS


 

Australian Bush Laureate Awards 2015 winners

An emotional appearance by the six-year-old granddaughter of the late Judith Hosier, one of the much loved founders of the Bush Laureate Awards, was a feature of this year’s presentation in Tamworth, Tuesday evening, January 20.

Young Lily presented the Judith Hosier Award for outstanding services to Australian Bush Poetry to veteran poet Milton Taylor from Hartley NSW, who was unable to attend the Awards because of ill health. His award was accepted on his behalf by another Judith Hosier Award winner Trisha Anderson.

Winners at this year's Awards, which started in 1996, were:

Book of the Year: The Billy That Died With It's Boots On by Stephen Whiteside from Melbourne.

Album of The Year: Bargo Bargo by Manfred Vijars from Brisbane.

Published Poem of the Year: The Ghost of Long Tan by Tom McIlveen from Port Macquarie, NSW

Single Recorded Performance of the Year: The Auction by Dave Proust from the NSW Central Coast.

Traditional Song Lyric of the Year: He's Droving Once Again by Golden Guitar winner Graham Rodger from Nambour, Queensland.

Contemporary Song Lyric of the Year: The Lifesaver by rising country music star Amber Lawrence from Sydney.

The Judith Hosier Award for outstanding achievement in nuturing Australia’s unique heritage of rhymed verse: Milton Taylor from Hartley NSW.

Now in his 70s, Milton is a renowned and highly awarded poet. However it is Milton’s gentlemanly ways and his willingness to help others that has earned him this accolade. He has encouraged and mentored generations of young poets and has unstintingly supported bush poetry events all around Australia for many decades.

Our photo shows (from left): Manfred Vijars, Amber Lawrence, Tom McIlveen and Trisha Anderson.


David and Greg dominate 2014 Australian Bush Laureate Awards; top lyricists Norma and Lee honoured

Poets David Campbell and Greg North have taken out the majority of Golden Gumleaf honours from the 2014 Australian Bush Laureate Awards staged in Tamworth yesterday.

David, from Beaumauris in Victoria, and Greg, from the NSW Blue Mountains, won two each of the six judged awards presented today. A nationally recognised poet, David won the prestigious Book of the Year with his publication “Riders On The Wind” and Published Poem of the Year for “The White Man’s Way”.

Greg, famous for his comedy poems, won the much sought after Album of the Year title with his release “Frackin’ Fricker”. The title track from the album also won Single Recorded Performance of the Year.

One of Australia’s leading country songwriters and one of the leading country songwriting teams took out the song lyric categories.

Norma O’Hara Murphy, of Bony Mountain, Queensland, won Traditional Song Lyric of the Year with her song “Gilbert, O’Meally & Hall”. Norma is a multiple Golden Guitar winner and this song comes from her latest album “The Celtic Connection”.

The Contemporary Song Lyric of the Year category was won by the hugely successful songwriting team of Lee Kernaghan, Garth Porter and Colin Buchanan with the song recorded by Lee, “Flying With The King”. The song, a tribute to the late Slim Dusty, is also a finalist for the Heritage Song of The Year Golden Guitar on Saturday night.

A seventh award, the Judith Hosier Heritage Award (named in honour of the Awards founder) was presented to long time supporter and promoter of Australian bush verse Trisha Anderson from Queensland.

Presented in the Tamworth Town Hall, The Bush Laureate Awards are a highlight of the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They started in 1995 and were established to recognise excellence in Australian rhyming bush verse.

For the past two years they have included two song lyric categories which have attracted a strong entry from leading song writers.

Further information about the Awards can be obtained from the website www.bushlaureate.com.au.

Weblink – www.bushlaureate.com.au.


Australian Bush Laureate Awards – 2013 winners

Winners in the 2013 Australian Bush Laureate awards were announced in Tamworth this afternoon (January 22).

Leading Australian bush poet Carol Heuchan (pictured, right) of Cooranbong, NSW, was the biggest winner taking out Album of the Year for her current work Partners which also won her the Single Recorded Performance of the Year Golden Gumleaf for the album's title track. Partners is a live recording of Carol and her poetry.

Book of the Year went to Around The Campfire by Terry Piggott (pictured) of Canningvale, WA. The well-produced work includes a dozen or more of Terry’s photos as well as his highly regarded bush poetry.

Collected Verse Book of the Year was won by Award Winning Bush Verse, a compilation by Max & Jacqui Merckenschlager of Caloote, SA. The work, described as “a first anthology of award-winning bush poems and bush-themed stories” is published by Melbourne Books.

Published Poem of the Year went to The Truth About Waltzing Matilda by David Campbell of Beaumaris, Vic.

Children’s Poem of the Year winner was named as Stephen Whiteside of Glen Iris, Victoria, for The Sash, a poem about a young Ned Kelly’s “sash”.

The winner of the Judith Hosier Heritage Award – for outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia's heritage of verse – was named as Jan Morris (pictured above left) of Tamworth for her long association with bush poetry especially as a judge and administrator of the Blackened Billy poetry competition and Golden Damper Awards.

A new award, for Recorded Australian Song Lyric of the Year, went to Luke O’Shea from Sydney for The Drover's Wife. Luke wrote the lyrics to this meaningful and widely recognised song which is also up for the Heritage Golden Guitar  this Saturday night.

This year was the 17th year for the Bush Laureate Awards which were established in 1997 to recognise excellence in published and recorded Australian bush poetry.

The Australian Bush Laureate Awards will be held in Tamworth again next January, with nominations scheduled to open in August.

Full details of finalists and nominees can be obtained from the website www.bushlaureate.com.au.


Australian Bush Laureate Awards - 2012 winners

Winners in the 2012 Australian Bush Laureate awards were announced in Tamworth today (January 24).

Book of the Year went to Noel Stallard for his work Aussie Verse, his sixth book which is billed as one “to make you laugh, cry and think” featuring “genuine Aussie characters – the original Australians, the pioneers, the soldiers, the harassed school teachers and their irrepressible students”.

Album of the Year was won by Grahame Watt for his release, G’day. Although Grahame has published three books, G’day is his first foray into recording, a successful debut at that!

Published Poem of the Year went to Musquito – The Black Bushranger by Max Merckenschlager as published in the book Captured Moments. The poem had previously won a Rolf Boldrewood Literary Award, an awards scheme run by The Macquarie Library which aims to foster the writing of prose and poetry with an Australian content.

Single Recorded Performance of the Year went to First Date by Bob Magor from his album The Best Of Sumo Mick, a selection of poems taken from his book Sumo Mick... And Other Verses.

Children’s Poem of the Year was presented to Bessie Jennings for her work Aussie A-B-C, a delightful work that takes up an entire book, with illustrations by her sister Patricia Gardner, aimed at helping children learn their “A-B-Cs” from a distinctly Australian perspective.

The winner of the Judith Hosier Heritage Award – for outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia’s heritage of verse – was named as Ellis Campbell for his long association with bush poetry as a poet, poetry performer, judge and as one who works tirelessly to help and encourage new poets beginning to write.

Two retrospective awards that had previously been overlooked were also announced today...  a 2009 award for Album of the Year - Original Verse which went to Ray Essery for Coming Home and a 2010 award for  Album of the Year - Original Verse won by Carol Heuchan with I Say.

This year was the 16th year for the Bush Laureate Awards which were established in 1997 to recognise excellence in published and recorded Australian bush poetry.

The Australian Bush Laureate Awards will be held in Tamworth again next January, with nominations scheduled to open in August.

Further information can be obtained from this website.

Photo (from left): Award presenter Manfred Vijars, Bessie Jennings and her sister Patricia (who illustrated her winning work) and Bush Laureate Awards Patron Joy McKean.


2011

BOOK OF THE YEAR
A Whole Lotta Muz by Murray Hartin

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Australian Bush Poetry Classics by Jack Drake

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Gallipoli by Keith "Cobber" Lethbridge

SINGLE RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Black Saturday by Jim Brown

CHILDREN'S POEM OF THE YEAR
Petunia by Carol Heuchan

JUDITH HOSIER HERITAGE AWARD
Noel Stallard


2010

BOOK OF THE YEAR, ORIGINAL VERSE
I Likes A Laugh by Grahame Watt
and
The Bronze Swagman Book of Bush Verse 2008
from the Winton Business & Tourism Association

BUSH POEM OF THE YEAR
Brolga Dreaming
by Val Read.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, ORIGINAL VERSE
I Say
by Carol Heuchan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bruce Simpson Bush Poetry
by Noel Stallard

SINGLE RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
The Anzac On The Wall
by Jim Brown.

CHILDREN’S POEM OF THE YEAR
The Aussie Outback School
by Megan Bartlett-Horne

JUDITH HOSIER HERITAGE AWARD
"Blue The Shearer"
(Col Wilson)

PATRON ANNOUNCEMENT
this year Joy McKean was announced as
Patron of the Australian Bush Laureate Awards

2009

BOOK OF THE YEAR, ORIGINAL VERSE
THE FINAL MUSTER
by Ellis Campbell

BOOK OF THE YEAR
THE BOOK OF AUSTRALIAN POPULAR RHYMED VERSE
compiled by Jim Haynes

BUSH POEM OF THE YEAR
THE POWER OF KOKODA
by Dean Trevaskis

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, ORIGINAL VERSE
COMING HOME
by Ray Essery

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
THE TARTAN SADDLECLOTH
by Gary Fogarty

SINGLE RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER
by Murray Hartin

CHILDREN’S POEM OF THE YEAR
THE BUSH ANIMALS BAND
by Noel Stallard

JUDITH HOSIER HERITAGE AWARD
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Society, Gunnedah

2008

BOOK OF THE YEAR
TOUCHING TALES
by Carol Heuchan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, the winner was
COWPOKES AND INDIANS
by Marco Gliori

SINGLE RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, the winner was
RAIN FROM NOWHERE
by Murray Hartin

BUSH POETRY PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
held by Carol Heuchan

CHILDREN’S BOOK OR ALBUM OF THE YEAR was
YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING
by Kym Eitel

JUDITH HOSIER HERITAGE AWARD
Frank Daniel

 

2007

Book of the Year
The Exodus And Other Verse
by Bob Magor

Album of the Year
I'm Better Than She Is
by Carmel Dunn & Jennifer Haig

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Why?

by Carol Heuchan

Bush Poetry Performer Of The Year
Carol Heuchan

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
Carmel Randle

Click here for photos...


2006

Book of the Year
Old Bush Songs
Edited by Warren Fahey and Graham Seal
(published by ABC Books)

Book of the Year, Original Verse
Australian Poems That Would Captivate A Koala
Philip Rush
(self published)

Album of the Year
A Pocket Full Of Poetry
Carol Heuchan
(Restless Music, produced by Roger Ilott)

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Angel Of Death
Jim Brown
(produced by Jim for Stanza TV) 

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
Winton Tourist and Business Association


2005

Book of the Year
Poems Of Bob Miller The La
rrikin
Bob Miller
(published by Saddlesaw Productions for Sandy Miller)

Book of the Year, Original Verse
Poems Of Bob Miller The Larrikin
Bob Miller
(published by Saddlesaw Productions for Sandy Miller)

Album of the Year
On The Road Again
Ray Essery
(Restless Music, produced by Roger Ilott)

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Not Gone
Janine Haig
from the Janine Haig The Eulo Poet album
(Janine Haig Recording J Haig/M Haig)

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
Kelly Dixon

Nick Erby was presented with a special certificate of appreciation
for his support of the Awards since their inception.


2004

Album of the Year
Down Memory Lane
Milton Taylor & Carmel Dunn

Book of the Year
An Australian Treasury Of Popular Verse
Jim Haynes

Book of the Year, Original Verse
Cattle Dog's Revenge
Jack Drake

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Down Memory Lane
Milton Taylor & Carmel Dunn

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
Warren Fahey


2003

Book of the Year
Songs Of The Droving Season
written by Bruce Simpson, published by ABC Books

Book of the Year, Original Verse
Frogs And Dogs And Kids
written by Roderick Williams, published by Bonza Blue Dog Publications

Album of the Year
The Naked Poets 3 ... butt seriously
released by Shoestring Records produced by Pat Drummond

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Bigger, Sharper Spurs
by Gary Fogarty (on the Bigger, Sharper Spurs album)
released by Restless Music, produced by Roger Ilott

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
Colin Munro - ABC Regional & Rural Radio


2002

Album of the Year
The Best Of Caravanning Bliss
By Bob Magor

Book of the Year & Original Book of the YeaR
Turbulence ­ Murray Hartin

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Faces in The Street
by
Geoff Sharp

Judith Hosier Heritage Award
R M Williams


2001

Album of the Year: The Naked Poets 2 - The Naked Poets

Book of the Year: An Australian Heritage Of Verse - Jim Haynes

Single Recorded Performance of the Year: The Other Homebush Games ­ Marco Gliori

Judith Hosier Heritage Award: Bill Scott


2000

Album of the Year: The Best Songs & Stories Of Australia - Dobe Newton

Book of the Year: From Under The Cross - Kelly Dixon

Single Recorded Performance of the Year: Murray Hartin - Turbulence

Judith Hosier Heritage Award: Slim Dusty


1999

Album of the Year
Bugger The Music,
Give Us A Poem
by Keith McKenry

Book of the Year
Donkey Derby
by Bob Magor

Single Recorded Performance of the Year
Down Memory Lane
Milton Taylor & Carmel Dunn

Heritage Award
The NOPA Poets Collection


1998

Album of the Year: Dipso Dan & Other Silly Buggers - Jim Haynes & John Kane
Book of the Year: Westering - Mark Kleindschmidt
Single Recorded Performance of the Year: Frank Daniel - Grave Situation
Heritage Award: Kelly Dixon - From A Drifter's Pen

1997

Album of the Year: The Larrikin Live - Bob Miller
Book of the Year: Gone Bush! - Carmel Randle
Heritage Award: Bruce Simpson - Packhorse Drover

1996

Album of the Year: The Larrikin - Bob Miller
Book of the Year: I'll Have Chips - Jim Haynes
Heritage Award: Ray Rose - Bulldust and Ballads