From a fierce competitive horse rider to multi award winning champion bush poet.
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Not bad for someone who had never seen a bush poetry competition until being entered into one.
Carol Heuchan describes herself as having two careers, one as a horsewoman and the other a poet.
“I had a lifetime of competing at the highest level with my horses and although serious about that, I could always see the funny side,” Carol explained. “On the way home from events I would scribble little 'ditties' on the backs of chequebooks and tissue boxes.”
These little scribbles turned into her first published book of poetry, Horseplay, which led to a friend entering her in a competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
I love the setting in the saleyards. It is so Australian and lends itself so well to bush poetry.
- Carol Heuchan
“I had a bit of beginners luck and the world of bush poetry just took over, winning some amazing competitions. It wasn't long before I decided to go professional.”
And now, the twice Australian Champion Bush Poet and nine times Laureate winner is bringing her talents to Gloucester for the 2019 Bush Poetry at the Saleyards on Saturday March 9. The Rotary Club of Gloucester annual event held at the Gloucester saleyards, on the corner of Church Street and Cemetery Road, has been running for more than 10 years, raising money for local charities and projects, and this year is no exception.
Joining Carol on the stage are fellow bush poets, Bob Bush from Vacy and Claire Reynolds from Gloucester, as well as Gloucester band, The Bowden Brothers. It won’t be Carol's first time at the event, having attended last year with a friend, but it will be her first time performing at it.
“I love the setting in the saleyards,” she said. “It is so Australian and lends itself so well to bush poetry.”
Tickets for Bush Poetry at the Saleyards cost $25 per person and are available from Gloucester Visitors Centre, Bowe and Lidbury Real Estate and Gloucester Health Foods.
Pre-show entertainment starts 6pm with the poets taking to the stage at 7pm.