Poet headlines at bush festival

Patonga resident and poet Mr Vic Jefferies will headline Narrandera's John O'Brien Bush Festival.

The annual festival boasts a five-day line up of Aussie-Irish music, dance, bush poetry and humour.

Mr Jefferies, who coordinates the Gosford Bush Poets group, will entertain more than 5000 enthusiasts in the tiny Riverina town from March 15 to 19 with his distinctive style of bush poetry.

"We are thrilled to have Vic Jefferies at the John O'Brien Bush Festival," said festival organizer Ms Julie Briggs.

"He has a big following and his traditional poems are always a crowd favourite.

"Vic was awarded the much-sought-after Jim Angel Award for Original Poetry at last year's festival and we're looking forward to seeing him defend his title this year.

"We have people from as far a field as Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle coming to hear him and join in the fun."

Ms Briggs said: "There'll be songs about Bourke and songs about Louth, poems about riverboats and rivers, outback dunnies and the funny side of caravanning," Ms Briggs said.

"There'll be Irish airs, classical suites, and a little jazz and light opera from the likes of the Canberra Celtic Choir, the Kioloa Harp Ensemble and meter maid turned singer Jo Hicks.

Press release, March 8 Liane Sayer-Roberts, Narrandera Visitors Centre