International Ipswich Poetry Feast 2008
7 July 2008 – 11:08Deadline: 5:00pm on Friday 1 August 2008
An International Poetry Competition and program of literary events aimed at encouraging, promoting and showcasing poets and poetry writing for all ages.Background
In the latter part of the nineteenth century two young children, Bridget and Mary Broderick, drowned at a waterhole that lies within the boundaries of the area now [...]
Deadline: 5:00pm on Friday 1 August 2008
An International Poetry Competition and program of literary events aimed at encouraging, promoting and showcasing poets and poetry writing for all ages.
Background
In the latter part of the nineteenth century two young children, Bridget and Mary Broderick, drowned at a waterhole that lies within the boundaries of the area now known as Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park at Walloon. This tragic event was the subject of a poem penned by Henry Lawson in 1891 titled "The Babies of Walloon"
The Ipswich Poetry Feast is a citywide initiative aimed at commemorating this significant event through the introduction of an annual international poetry competition and events that:
- Encourage young and aspiring poets
- Provide an opportunity for poets to showcase their work
- Raise community awareness of the creativity and skills in poetry writing
- Promote Ipswich as a vibrant, culturally rich region
Conditions of Entry
Conditions:
- All entries must be received by 5:00pm on Friday 1 August 2008. No late entries will be accepted.
- Each entry must be the entrant’s/author’s original work, in the English language, not previously published or having won a prize in any literary competition. For the purpose of this competition the following definition of "published" will apply: intentionally distributed to the public in any format "accepted for publication or broadcast in any format including self-publishing for monetary gain".
- There is no word limit.
- Poems may be on any subject.
- In the Open Bush Poetry Category the following definition applies: Australian Bush Poetry with good rhyme and meter which is written about Australia, its people, places, things and way of life.
- No name or other identifying material should appear on the poem. Poems will be judged anonymously.
- In the Open Local Poetry Category the following condition of entry applies: Entrants must live, work or attend school within the boundaries of Ipswich City Council.
- Only permanent residents of Queensland with email access are eligible to apply for the mentorship prize. See the mentorship prize page for further details.
- $5 fee per entry payable to Ipswich City Council for Open Age categories. Free entry in all categories under 18 years of age.
For Printed Entries:
- One entry form per poem attached with paper clip not stapled.
- Entries to be typed or computer printed with double line spacing on one side of A4 white paper. All pages must be numbered and fastened by paper clip (not stapled). No entries may be submitted by facsimile or computer disk.
- Entrant to supply two copies of poem when submitting entry.
- Submissions will not be returned. It is the responsibility of the writer to keep a copy.
For Online Entries:
- Entrants details must accompany payment and payment must be received before closing date to be eligible.
Judging and Notification:
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- Judges reserve the right to transfer poems between categories in the Open Bush and Open Other section where deemed appropriate.
- Winners will be contacted prior to the Awards Presentation event to be held on 17 October 2008. Winners will be announced, first prize winning poems (or an excerpt of these poems) will be professionally read, and prizes presented (where possible), at this event. Prizes will be mailed if winner cannot attend in person.
- The committee reserves the right to publish or broadcast, without fee to the author, in part or in whole, award winning or commended entries on the web site, in an anthology and/or in media publications. Copyright remains with the author thereafter. No payment or reward will be made to the entrant for any such publication.
- The committee also reserves the right to give entrants’ contact details to the media, if among the winners.
- Results will be published in The Queensland Times newspaper following the Awards Presentation, and will be posted shortly thereafter on the Ipswich Poetry Feast web site at http://www.ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au.

