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Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival

Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was born in Orange on 17 February 1864. We celebrated the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2014 with a community festival. Since then, Orange has run an annual festival. Each year, the Rotary Club of Orange has partnered with Orange’s tourism organisation (Orange 360), the Friends of Banjo Paterson Park, the Molong Advancement Group, the Yeoval community and the Councils of Orange and Cabonne to celebrate Australian poetry. This celebration, the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival has included:

  • Events in Molong, Yeoval, Cargo, Canowindra, Orange
  • Events in wineries, pubs, museums, historic sites, schools and outdoors.
  • An Australian Poetry Competition for poets reciting their own original poetry
  • Displays and activities at Yeoval in conjunction with the exhibition “Banjo Paterson – more than a poet”
  • Breakfast and poetry in the Civic Centre precinct, Orange
  • Birthday celebrations for Banjo Paterson’s birth in Orange

Thanks to our sponsors over the years for their support. Local businesses and Local Councils have assisted the Rotary Club with costs of venue hire, prizes and publicity.

2024 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival

Here is the program that was held in 2024:

The Festival began with a celebration of Banjo’s birthday on Saturday 17 February 2024 and ran through to Sunday 25 February 2024.

There were be about 20 events over that time and at least 7 opportunities for walk-up performances in pubs, wineries and open air at breakfast.

Saturday 17 February ORANGE

  • Banjo’s Birthday Party (A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson born on the 17th February, 1864
  • The Friends of Banjo Paterson Park invite you, family, and friends to Celebrate “Banjo’s 160th on February 17th at the “Banjo Paterson Park” on Ophir Road from 11.30 am to 4.30pm
  • Fun and adventure at the ‘Park’ includes poetry, music, a merry-go-round, a mini train and games for the youngsters.
    • There will be a BBQ with food for sale or you can bring your own if you wish. BYO picnic and drinks 11am to 3pm.
    • BYO chairs.
    • Contact: Elizabeth Griffin 0437 868 595

Saturday 17 February: MOLONG

  • Molong Poetry Brawl as part of the Banjo Poetry Festival 2024
  • 6.30 to 10.00 pm at the Freemasons Hotel, Bank Street, Molong
  • Contestants must perform a 1-minute original poem to include the phrase “of course there isn’t much to see”
  • Good prize money
  • Judge is Robyn Sykes, award winning bush poet.
  • Section 1: Under 18 / Section 2: Open (competition starts at 7pm).
  • Under 18: Free; Open: entry $5.
  • Guests free but booking preferred / walk-ups welcome.
  • Booking contact: Jude Taylor 0405 021 265

 Sunday 18 February: YEOVAL

  • Poets’ brunch and entertainment at Yeoval
  • Relax in the shade of the trees for real country hospitality. All day BBQ.
  • Includes launch of the book, “Poets, Painters and Pioneers: The Remarkable Family of Banjo Paterson.” by Heather Knight.
  • Free entertainment and open mic for walk-up poetry and live music.
  • Visit the Banjo Paterson – More than a Poet Museum
  • 43 Forbes Street, Yeoval.
  • 10 am start, no booking needed.
  • Donation appreciated.
  • Contact: Alf Cantrell 0427 208 913

Monday 19 February: ORANGE

  • Eat Botanic
    • Poetry from 1200 – 1300 at the Eat Botanic café (off the Orange Botanic Gardens car park) near to ‘Emmaville Cottage’.
    • Come along, have some coffee or a meal and listen to a local poet entertain you between 1200 and 1300.
    • No cost / No bookings required (unless eating and drinking at the café).

Tuesday 20 February: STUART TOWN

  • Lunch at the Ironbark Hotel, Stuart Town
  • Stuart Town was originally named Ironbark – of “The Man from Ironbark” fame.
  • Enjoy lunch and poetry at the historic “Ironbark Hotel.”
  • Catch the XPT train from Orange (Peisley St, Orange phone 13 22 32) at 12 noon and return to Orange at 4 pm
  • 12.30 pm to 3 pm. (Check train times from Orange as they may change).
  • Bookings and train information: call Renee Wykes 0458 157 650

Tuesday 20 February: ORANGE

  • Eat Botanic
    • Poetry from 1200 – 1300 at the Eat Botanic café (off the Orange Botanic Gardens car park) near to ‘Emmaville Cottage’.
    • Come along, have some coffee or a meal and listen to a local poet entertain you between 1200 and 1300.
    • No cost / No bookings required (unless eating and drinking at the café).

Wednesday 21 February: ORANGE

    • Wrath of Grapes
    • A fun night of walk-up poetry and competition.
    • Entertainment, a meal, and local wine in the barrel shed at Heifer Station Wines, 1034 The Escort Way, Orange.
    • 5.30 – 9.30 pm.
    • $30.00 per person (includes meal) with additional booking fee.

Wednesday 21 February: ORANGE

  • Eat Botanic
    • Poetry from 1200 – 1300 at the Eat Botanic café (off the Orange Botanic Gardens car park) near to ‘Emmaville Cottage’.
    • Come along, have some coffee or a meal and listen to a local poet entertain you between 1200 and 1300.
    • No bookings required / No cost (unless eating and drinking at the café).

 Wednesday 21 February: ORANGE

 Thursday 22 February: ORANGE

  • Memory Workshop: ORANGE
  • Improve your memory for bush poetry, prose, song lyrics and plays.
  • Come along to a workshop designed to give you tips and tricks to help improve your memorisation. Mel and Susie have identified a range of mnemonics and techniques to assist you in your efforts to expand your repertoire and memorise your original work. Come along for a fun session, bring pen and paper if you wish.
  • Duntry League Guesthouse, Woodward Street, Orange
  • 2 pm to 4 pm
  • $10 entry
  • Contact: Len Banks 0428 459 117

 Thursday 22 February: ORANGE

  • Eat Botanic
    • Poetry from 1200 – 1300 at the Eat Botanic café (off the Orange Botanic Gardens car park) near to ‘Emmaville Cottage’.
    • Come along, have some coffee or a meal and listen to a local poet entertain you between 1200 and 1300.
    • No cost / No bookings required (unless eating and drinking at the café).

 Thursday 22 February: MOLONG

  • “Conversations with Banjo”
  • Geri Brown and Mark Oates performing their play “Conversations with Banjo.”
  • Cobb & Co Coach House, Gidley Street Molong
  • 6.30pm – 8.30pm
  • (Max capacity 30 people, book early) / $30
  • Book via 123Tix
  • Contact Peter Batten 0418292053 or batten1906@gmail.com

 Friday 23 February: ORANGE

  • Youth and Adult Poetry Competition
  • Youth and Adult Performance Poetry Competition
  • Individual performances of original poems by Primary and High School students and adults in novice and open categories
  • Orange Ex Services Club 231-243 Anson Street, Orange
  • Youth at 9am and adults at 1pm
  • Great family entertainment
  • Adults judged by champion bush poets Melanie Hall and Susie Carcary / Competition details and entry forms here.
  • Audience entry by donation
  • Contact Len Banks 0428 459 117 or David Stanley 0428 894 571

Friday 23 February: ORANGE

  • Eat Botanic
    • Poetry from 1200 – 1300 at the Eat Botanic café (off the Orange Botanic Gardens car park) near to ‘Emmaville Cottage’.
    • Come along, have some coffee or a meal and listen to a local poet entertain you between 1200 and 1300.
    • No cost / No bookings required (unless eating and drinking at the café).

 Friday 23 February: CARGO

  • Entertainment and walk-up poetry competition at the Cargo Inn
  • Fun and laughter with bush poetry performances.
  • Come along with your own poem or a classic (4 Min Max.) to perform in the Cargo Cup
  • Judging by Bush Poets Mel and Susie.
  • Cash prizes for best performance and best character.
  • Free entry and the bar and bistro open at 5 pm
  • 34-38 Belmore Street, Cargo
  • 38 km from Orange on the Cargo/Canowindra Road
  • Contact accounts@cargoinn.com.au if you are bringing a poem.
  • Sponsored by See Saw Wines & MSM Milling

 Saturday 24 February: ORANGE

  • Breakfast and Poetry
  • Performances by school students and walk-up poets
  • Rotary BBQ breakfast available
  • Drop in before kids’ sport or for a leisurely morning of entertainment.
  • Civic Centre South Court, 147 Byng Street, Orange (near the library)
  • 8 am to 10 am
  • No bookings needed.
  • Contact: Martyn Sparkes 0419 006 633
  • Schools contact Debbie Smith 0488 107 123

Saturday 24 February: CANOWINDRA

  • Canowindra Poetry Festival
  • Banjo Paterson Dinner Festival and Show – Entertainment by award winning bush poets Melanie Hall and Susie Carcary
  • 6.30 – 10pm
  • Community Hall, Gaskill St. Canowindra
  • Cost $50. Book with 123tix.
  • Contact: Cheryl Wythes: 0457568052

Sunday 25 February: ORANGE

  • Rotary Community Market
  • Craft and produce market at the Orange Showground on Leeds Parade
  • Entertainment and open mic for poets · Stallholder bookings at rotarycluboforange.org.au
  • 9 am to 2 pm
  • Entry by donation
  • Contact: Sue Patterson 0427 588 805

 Sunday 25 February: ORANGE

  • Strawhouse Sunset Banjo 2024
  • Join Meg & Justin of Strawhouse Wines and guest musicians The Hip Replacements for chilled classics, some Banjo and a twang of banjo as we celebrate the Banjo Paterson Festival in and around the Strawhouse Tasting Room and Deck.
  • Ticket includes a welcome glass of wine and the band.
  • The Kiss Kitchen team will be dishing up some delectable treats to keep you fuelled for the evening. Strawhouse Wines, Boree Lane, Orange 5 pm – 8 pm
  • Book with Justin Byrne 0402 498 419

Sunday 25th February 2024. BOREE / CABONNE

  • Woolshed History Muster
  • The Molong Historical Society Inc. Invite you, family, and friends to an afternoon of Poetry, music and fun in the Boree Cabonne woolshed.
  • 2591 The Escort Way, Boree.
  • Included will be Afternoon Tea, and talks on the Historic Woolshed and Boree / Cabonne Property
  • 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
  • Cost will be $30.00 per person.
    • Contact: Elizabeth Griffin 0437 868 595