According to Claire Reynolds, the Golden Damper is the “competition everyone wants to win” and she got the “daily double.”
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After entering into the Australian Bush Poets Association’s (ABPA) Tamworth Country Music Festival Competition every year since 2003, Claire finally takes home the top prize; not one, but two.
In the Golden Damper performance poetry competition section there were two categories - Original and Established.
Claire entered into both, reciting The Water of the Wells by Jake Drake and her own poem Mum’s Green Tomato Chutney.
There were three heats over three days and the top three from each were chosen to perform in the finals on Saturday, January 28.
Contestants were given a six minute time limit, which includes a preamble introducing the poem.
After making it to the finals several times over years but not winning, she is extremely happy with her achievement.
“I’m feeling no pain,” she said.
Claire has been performing bush poetry for many years.
“I have always loved bush poetry. My dad used to recite.”
She had been performing at friends’ functions, but it wasn’t until she retired, she learned about the competitions. Claire has won both state and national competitions.
She has been reciting poetry at the Bush Poetry at the Saleyards since it began.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
