I trust our members have avoided the ‘flu and are enjoying the magic of our balmy but brisk Melbourne winter. The past few months have been inspiring and intense. Sadly, in June we lost our valued member Martin Downey. In the words of our Secretary, Wendy Fleming, whose thoughts your President cannot better: Martin was a long-time member of MPU, serving on the Committee in the role of Vice President and highly involved as Roving Ambassador for our society, which he tirelessly promoted. Emerging poets owe much to his mentoring. For members of the Melbourne Poets Union, his memory will be preserved in our annual Martin Downey Urban Realist Award, a poetry prize he instigated in 2005.

     It is also with sadness that we announce the resignation of our website editor, Dr Andrew Wenn. MPU thanks Andrew for his generosity over the years, giving so freely of his time and expertise. It is tremendous to think that Andrew’s work will be preserved in the national archives. We look forward to receiving a poem from Andrew in a forthcoming edition of POAM, and wish him well for the future.

     Our June event, Poetic Grooves, with Phil Norton and Catherine Bateson went so very well. Phil was both entertaining and profound, particularly in his Preacherman Says persona. Catherine performed with brilliance from a wide range of poetry and deep narratives. Our audience and I just loved her most amusing rendition of The Whippet Blues.

     In July we were privileged to have a reading from our 2009 MPU International Poetry Competition Judge Dr Robyn Rowland, AO. Since Robyn’s busy schedule sees her leaving for Ireland, Belgrade and Venice, we were fortunate to have her introduce herself between overseas engagements. Wendy introduced the night with tributes from jeltje, Michael, Leon and myself in honour of Martin Downey. This event also featured a dynamic cameo reading by Annie Christain (USA) and a powerful peformance by Meg Dunn. This event was extra special!

     In August MPU is fortunate to be hosting two events. First of all, La Mama Poetica has invited us to hold a Reading at La Mama Courthouse on Monday 17th August at 8pm, Memory and Imagination. Featured will be Emilie Zoe Baker, Claire Gaskin, Ahmed Hashim, Garth Madsen and Thiab Muhsen, MC’d by your President.

     I am also thrilled to announce our participation in the Melbourne Writers Festival, with our panel discussion Libretto: how collaboration extends poetry. Panelists are Peter Goldsworthy, Jordie Albiston and Trish Sykes, led by Dr Kevin Brophy. This will take place on Friday 28th August at ACMI Studio 1, commencing at 5.30pm. For more information, please check out our website; or for bookings, information and more, check out the MWF website: www.mwf.com.au.

     I would like to offer my hearty congratulations to our Poam Editor Fee Sievers on her outstanding poetic involvement in the exhibition “Tripping the Light Ekphrastic”. I came away touched by both the art and Fee’s very moving poetry. Artists include Ona Henderson, Sydney Tunn, Brett Ditchfield and of course our very own Fee Sievers. A particular blessing was the opening by Professor Peter Steele. If you haven’t yet read or tried a poetic “ekphrasis”, I heartily recommend you do. You’d be in great company!

     Not hard to believe now is new members are rising quicker than my blood pressure!  It’s easy to become a member of MPU. Why not do it soon and see the advantages?  There are so many opportunities being part of our community, and so much goodwill. So come along and take part!                           

Robyn Peck