Vic Jeffries wins poetry prize

Patonga resident and Troubadour Folk Club member, Mr Vic Jeffries, was awarded second prize in a national poetry competition at the National Folk Festival in Canberra over the Easter holidays.

The competition attracted over 90 entrants and took into account not only the poem itself but also the delivery of the poem.

Many of the entrants had been performing publicly for many years, have books published and CDs on sale while others were relative beginners.

Two hour Poets' Breakfasts were held on the Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday and judges announced the winners at the "World Poetry Debate" in the main auditorium on the Sunday afternoon.

Mr Jeffries was awarded equal second prize.

The winner was nationally acclaimed bush poet Bob Magor from South Australia.

Bob has won many awards including twice winning the coveted Bronze Swagman in Winton Qld, and was elected to the Bush Poets Wall of Renown in Tamworth in 1997.

"I was delighted with the result, particularly in view of how highly regarded Bob is and how new I am at this," said Vic Jeffries.

"I only attended my first folk club less than two years ago when I went to the Troubadour at Woy Woy.

"I had been writing poetry for some time but hadn't had the courage or the opportunity to recite my poems publicly.

"The Troubadour Folk Club members encouraged me to do so and it has changed my life.

"My wife and I now attend many folk clubs and go to folk festivals and have met some wonderful people along the way," he said.

"I would like to encourage anyone with an interest in music or poetry to attend a folk club or festival and see for themselves how great they are," Mr Jeffries said.

Cec Bucello, May 1