The audience was treated to a wonderful display of skill and showmanship as 20 primary school children performed the poem of their choice with rhyme, rhythm and an Australian author or theme. 

This year there was extra reason to celebrate Australian bush poetry as it is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Banjo Patterson.

The competition was a great place to perform a poem and share it with an appreciative audience.  

Each entrant was a winner with a certificate and free afternoon tea.  

It was evident all the participants are developing great character as they showed they had the skill and tenacity to memorise a poem and the courage to stand up in front of an audience and recite it clearly.  

The winners of the junior performance award were first Emily Stein, second Sarah Peck (Sussex Inlet Public School), third Mackenzie Kerin (Shoalhaven Anglican School), fourth Cody Peck (Sussex Inlet Public School) and fifth Pia Hollywood (Shoalhaven Anglican School).  

Emily Stein won the Jim Grahame award, and the showmanship award went to Tilly Gravenor.  

Shoalhaven Anglican School won the school category.

The written poetry competition limericks section winners were first Nickolas James Dinnen (St Mary’s) ‘Nick D’, second Taj Treweek (St Mary’s) ‘Bill the Dill’, third  Sam Fitzpatrick  (St Mary’s) ‘Limerick’.  

In the free verse section, winners were first Juliet Vandor (St Mary’s) 'Free Verse’, second Isabella Surace (St Mary’s) 'Blue’, third Brian Martin (St Mary’s) 'Kelpie Poem’.  

In the ballads section, winners were first Sarah Peck (Sussex Inlet Public School) 'Unicorns’, second Cody Peck (Sussex Inlet Public School) 'My Dog Winter’, third Tanya North (Ulladulla Public Sscool)'The Flue', fourth Pia Hollywood (Shoalhaven Anglican School) 'My Place', fifth Jesse Enderby (Ulladulla Public School) 'Life the Aussie Way’.

Events like this are a success because of the team running them and the support of sponsors.

Thank you to John Davis for organising the event, judges Glenn Ellard, Lurline Gainsford and Phillipa Hollenkamp, coordinators Dee Carrington and Ruth Davis, St Mary’s for providing the venue and Nathan Sherry for his able assistance, Penny Stein for publicity and Debbie Peck for being runner on the day.

Afternoon tea was supplied thanks to Ulladulla Woolworths.  

This event is supported by Priceline Pharmacy, Elders Macray Insurance, Tony Ireland Optometrist EYE Q, Bendigo Bank, Tania and Darren Smith Optometrist (showmanship trophy) and Get Wet in Ulladulla (Jim Grahame perpetual shield and trophy). 

Look out for the next poetry competition at Milton Show.