Page 21 - eMuse Vol.9 No.08

Grandad’s Smile.

When I sat on my Grandad’s knee, It used to be such fun, 2nd to 5th April 2020
He’d tell me lots of stories, ‘bout all the things he’d done.
And as he talked of childhood days, ( When he said he was a Pup’)
I could plainly see a change in him, His face would brighten up.
He’d talk of ‘climbing Pepper Trees’, and ‘playing Hide and Seek’,
He’d smile as he recalled the days of ‘Swimming in the Creek’. This year’s Festival was yet another victim of the
‘Going Fishing’ – ‘Catching Yabbies’, Grandad had so much to tell,
His stories made me happy, and Grandad laughed as well. coronavirus. We’ll be back. Put these dates in your
He’d chuckle when he said he played “Test Cricket” with his friends, diary now 8th to 11th April 2021.
His laughter made his eyes light up and ‘Crinkle’ at the ends.
He told me funny stories ‘bout school days and a snake’, Start telling your friends
He’d laugh so much at every word, his ‘tummy’ it would shake.
I couldn’t help but laugh with him, I’d bounce upon his knee, See you there!
As he recalled his childhood days when life was “Fancy- Free “
My Grandad loved to talk with me, and I could see his joy,
For when he told me of those days, He ‘was’ that little boy.
By Grahame “Skew Wiff” Watt. Senior Poet
October 2013. Graeme “Skew Wiff” Watt is unchallenged as Australia’s elder
1st Prize – Toolangi C.J.Dennis Festival. statesman of rhyme and reason metre at the tender age of 92
Adults writing for Children. years young. Onya Mate keep ‘em comin’.

Outback Writers Festival Something to sing about

The C J Dennis Society has
Although the 2020 Outback Writers Festival, usually held in
Winton during June, was cancelled due to Corona, the short a brand new website
story competition went ahead.
http://cjdennissociety.com/
The 2020 winner has been announced as Jill Staunton with her
story O’Grady’s Girl. Congratulations to Jill. It is still undergoing development with new pages
and content still to be added however it is live and
Jill’s story and others by Beverley Young, Megan Hippler, Dan- available for you to view. So have a look and let me
nielle Viera, Ian Waples, Rachel Armstrong, Derek Bland, Hu know what you think via the ‘Contact Us’ feature
Spooner, Steve Hawe, Cherelle Murphy, Barry Blunt, Kelsey and keep an eye out for new information.
Neilsen, Bridget Chambers, Michael Albrecht, Drewe Freeburn,
Helen Harvey, James A Kent, Heather Waites, Helen Darvall, 2020 Toolangi CJ Dennis
Tracy Liotis, Don Douglas, Leanne Green and John Gerritsen are Poetry Competition
now printed in book form - The Outback Volume 5.
Proudly hosted by The Singing Gardens of CJ Dennis, Toolangi in
As far as we are aware, the Outback Writers Festival is the only conjunction with the CJ Dennis Society. Prizes will be awarded for
festival of its type that publishes a book of the best entries on first, second and third in each category. Due to the uncertainty
a regular basis. presented by the Corona Virus prize presentation details will be
Sales of the book are a fundraiser for the Festival, and past cop- advised separately.
ies are also available. 1. Open Poetry (Marian Mayne Prize: $250 / $150 / $100)
2. Open Short Story (CJ Dennis Society Prize: $250 / $150 / $100)
Books can be obtained from www.boolarongpress.com.au or at *Both of the above Themed: Environment/Climate Change
outbackbooks.info and go to short stories. 3. Poems written by adults for children ($250 / $150 / $100).
Thanks to all for your support There will also be a prize of $150 for the poem in this category
chosen as the best by a group of local children.
Jeff Close 4. Primary school students: preps to grade 6 ($30 / $20 / $10)
President 5. Secondary school students: years 7-12 ($50 / $30 / $20)
Outback Writers Festival Inc Entries must be postmarked by 1st September 2020
Further info: closeandmoller@gmail.com Sharon Keogh (Acting Secretary CJ Dennis Society)
cjdennissociety@gmail.com or our website

August 2020 eMuse 21