Peter wins national poetry prize

Empire Bay resident Mr Peter Mace has been awarded the Reciter of the Year trophy at the National Folk Festival in Canberra on March 24.

Mr Mace recited the Monty Grover poem "I Killed a Man at Graspan" about a young soldier's reflections on killing another human being during the Boer War.

He joined more than 100 poets from around the country over the Easter long weekend to recite personal and traditional poetry.

"What drew me to recite this particular poem was that it captured the emotional aftermath of war and violence so well," Mr Mace said.

"I have been reading and writing poetry for about four years now and enjoy the way it touches a chord with me personally."

Mr Mace has been retired for almost two years and said he is enjoying the time off to write and read more poems.

"I enjoy the relaxed lifestyle this area has to offer," Mr Mace said.

"I feel very lucky to be living in this part of the world."

Mr Mace has been living in the Peninsula area with his wife for more than 30 years.

"I am always working on new poems," Mr Mace said.

"I have always got a few things up my sleeve."

Mr Mace received first prize at the Dunnedoo Bush Poetry Competition on March 1.

He has also received numerous awards over the past four years in Tamworth and Brisbane for his poems.

"For anyone who is interested in bush poetry, the Gosford Bush Poets meet at the Hotel Gosford at 7pm on the last Wednesday of the month," Mr Mace said.

Clare Graham, 28 March 2008 Interviewee: Peter Mace