Spoken and Written Word On the Central Coast
You will find all ranges of the written word from Bush Poets to famous classical novel authors living on the Central Coast.
~By Tom Flood-author~
Most forms of the written word are practiced on the Central Coast, although to say there’s a writing community would be stretching it. The two most prolific, journalism and songwriting, are not covered here, nor performance writing in general.
There’s a number of organisations and events that bring together writers and readers of literature, including the biennial Ourimbah Childrens Writers Festival www.folit.info, FAW Tuggerah-Wyong (Enquiries: Anne Hanley (Secretary) 4333 3643 Email: annehanley@exemail.com.au) and Gosford chapters (Enquiries: Helen Luidens (President) 4363 2627 Hazel Humphrey (Secretary) 4328 4266), Central Coast Poets Society (02 4342 0476, kelquestor@hotmail.com), various library events, historical societies, writing groups and reading groups.
On the business side, there’s a major publisher (Scholastic www.scholastic.com.au), one agent (the Mary Cunnane Agency www.cunnaneagency.com), three writers and trade services (The Manuscript Appraisal Agency www.manuscriptagency.com.au, Flood Manuscripts www.manuscripts.com.au & Kit&Caboodle Publishing Services caboodle@exemail.com.au) and most of the major book chains, a handful of independent booksellers and quite a few secondhand bookshops.
While it is rumoured there are quite a few authors, they rarely come out of their caves without suitable bait is offered.
Bush Poetry
~ By Vic Jefferies ~
Over recent years, poetry and especially "bush poetry," has enjoyed a grand revival as a performance medium and there is keen interest being shown by not only those who enjoy the traditional works of the likes of "Banjo" Paterson and Henry Lawson, but also by those who have discovered they have an ability to write, present and perform their own poetry and verse.
This revival has occurred throughout Australia and now there are almost countless poetry and spoken word competitions, festivals, groups and performances. Additionally, most folk music and country and western music festivals now include poetry as an integral part of their programs and its popularity is reflected in the very large audiences spoken word events attract.
Over the last two years the Gosford Bush Poets group, which meets at 7pm on the last Wednesday night of each month at the Gosford Hotel, Mann Street, Gosford, has grown from eight people to an average of seventy and often more, people attending and participating each month.
For Bush Poetry info contact Vic Jefferies jeffries@tech2u.com.au or 96394911 or Peter Mace maces@acay.com.au or 43693561
GOSFORD BUSH POETS
Meet at the Gosford Hotel, Mann Street Gosford on the last
Wednesday in the month from 7pm. Next
date 31st October. Contact
Vic Jeffries 02 9639 4911
or Peter Mace
4369 3561
FEATHER BRAINS WRITERS GROUP
Meet Fridays, 12.30pm-3.30pm
(except during school holidays) at St Andrews Church Cottage, Watanobbie
Road North Wyong. $2 afternoon tea
provided. Phone Cal Williams 4392
8247
or Ruth Clark
4351 2806
TUGGERAH/WYONG FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN WRITERS
The group meet at the Wyong Community Cultural Centre,
Rankens Court (entry visa old school site), 3rd Saturday each month at 1pm.
Writers &
poets welcome, amateur or experienced.
Contact is Margaret Young 4390 3727.
CENTRAL COAST FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN WRITERS
Meet at Central Coast Leagues Club on 3rd Sunday each month at 1pm.
PO Box 759 Gosford 2250.
A Commemorative book will be printed to mark the 60th
anniversary of several Central Coast organisations.
Gosford and Wyong Councils, Gosford Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Gosford Musical Society and the Express Advocate all turn 60 this year.
FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN WRITERS
At the Central Coast Leagues
Club, Dane Drive Gosford.
I hope the “Editing to win” workshop went well and that
the facilitator Colleen Parker enjoyed the day.
For further
information ring Wanda 4323 3572, or Hazel 4328 4266.
CENTRAL COAST POETS
.