Belinda Jeffrey

Had a day of literary socialising yesterday which began with the Premier’s Literary Awards and ended in the evening with the opeining of the Queensland Poetry Festival at the Judith Wright Centre in Fortitude Valley.

I’m always up for a get together with like minded literary-loving buffs, and there was champagne and exceptional nibbles (no idea how to spell the fancy hors doovers word). But last night I fell in love with poetry in a way I had never experienced before thanks to Canadian poet, Elizabeth Bachinsky. Her poetry was electric and absorbing. Her voice was hypnotic and I was completely entranced. I hung on her every word.

The festival continues today and tomorrow, so get on down to Fortitude Valley if you can spare a night. You won’t be disappointed. Elizabeth is joined by equally brilliant poets, Hinemoana Baker – straight from the Q150 Writers Train, AF Harold and Neil Murray.

The second ‘Writers Train‘ component of the Q150 steamed off from Brisbane yesterday. This time it’s Kim Wilkins, Nick Earls, Kate Eltham and Hinemoana Baker who are choofing off on the leg from Brisbane to Toowomba. And Kim’s son, Luka, is also tagging along for the ride. Check out the links and see what they get up to.

There was a great article in the QWeekend on Sat 15th from Matt Condon detailing the the trip we took back in June. It had me chuckling and smiling all over again.