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The joys and sorrows of poetic translation.

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:35:02 +1100

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25, IMMIGRATION MUSEUM, 2 P.M. TILL 4 P.M.
Free Entry

Convenor Marietta Elliott-Kleerkoper.

Much of the poetry we read comes to us through translation. But if we don't know the original language, how can we be sure that the translation does justice to the original? What is more important? to be 'faithful' or to be 'beautiful'?

Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Lia Hills, Robyn Peck, jeltje, Matt Hetherington and Marietta Elliott-Kleerkoper, all experienced translators of poetry, share the secrets of their craft. Join the discussion and bring your favourite translated poem to read in the open section.

July President's Report

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:28:08 +1000

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

Vale Martin Downey 20th March 1958 - 26th June 2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:53:12 +1000

Melbourne Poets Union is greatly saddened by the loss of their valued member Martin Downey. Martin was a long time member of MPU serving in the roles of Vice President and Roving Ambassador and always involved. He constantly promoted MPU, liaised between organisations and mentored many beginning and emerging poets. Although his influence extends beyond Victoria, Martin will be particularly missed by the Melbourne poetry community. Fortunately his memory will be preserved in the annual MPU Martin Downey Urban Realist Award a poetry prize which he instigated in 2002.

MPU member wins national poetry award

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:38:29 +1000

The Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) has announced that ‘View from the Lucky Hotel’ by Sandy Fitts has won the prestigious Anne Elder Award for the ‘best first poetry collection published in Australia in 2008.’

‘innovative poetics‘ — judges of the FAW Anne Elder Award

‘A wonderfully fresh, subtle and endearing voice‘ — Helen Garner

Another Happening

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:27:37 +1000

A poetry reading and question time will be held at Nth Fitzroy Library, Monday 18th May 6:30 - 8:00pm

Award-winning poets Sandy Fitts and Tric O’Heare will read from their work, followed by audience questions and discussion.

Read the flyer.

An exciting May Poetry Event

Tue, 12 May 2009 20:03:13 +1000

Poems in Conversation is on Friday 29th May at 7pm in The Victoria Room at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, 210 Lonsdale St. The venue is just a short tram ride up Swanston St or a quick walk from Melbourne Central. There is ample parking at the QV shopping complex. And at bargain entry (members $6, concession $7 and non members $9), you can’t ask for a better night’s entertainment. For more info contact Fee Sievers on 0417 358280 or email saidanddone@iprimus.com.au

Find out more about this fun event.

This event is proudly supported by City of Melbourne and Melbourne Poets Union.

Thank you Supporters and Volunteers — MPU 2008

Mon, 4 May 2009 17:06:54 +1000

MPU committee Sue Stanford, Wendy Fleming, Kalyan Ky, Dr Robyn Peck, Michael Reynolds Leon Shann and members of the Trust Fund Board, Dr Stuart Armstrong, Dr Robyn Peck, Dr Kevin Brophy, Eddie Creaney would like to thank our many volunteers and supporters. MPU could not function without your donations and gifts of free or advantaged services.

The following list of individuals and organisations is not exhaustive.

Patron: Dr Kevin Brophy
Legal Advice: Patrick Dalton QC

The many donated services include website makeover and maintenance, artistic advice, chapbook production, conduct of annual competitions, fundraising, submission writing, advertising, promotion, art work, editing, reporting, reviewing, event organising and production, welfare referral, Master/mistress of Ceremony.

Dr Stuart Armstrong, Dr Carol Bradburn, Dr Kevin Brophy, Lella Cariddi, Anne Carson, Jennifer Chrystie, Ewan Coffey, Angela Costi, Eddie Creaney, Mary Crooks of Victorian Women’s Trust, Ross Donlon, John Garrett, Ana Greeno, Dr Marietta Elliott-Kleerkoper, Wendy Fleming, Lorin Ford, Sandra Hill, John Jenkins, Kalyan Ky, (regional) Garth Madsen, Maurice McNamara, Dr Robyn Peck, Rhonda Poholke, Michael Reynolds, Dr Robyn Rowland, Leon Shann, Christina Spry, Sue Stanford
Dr Andrew Wenn.

Donations for the Annual Poetry Competitions and other poetry awards
Sue Stanford, Peter Macrow, Dr Robyn Peck, Readings Books Music and Film, The Paperback Bookshop, Black Pepper Publishing, Black Inc. Publishing.

Raffle prizes
Anonymous, Kevin Brophy, Collected Works Poetry and Ideas Bookshop, Connie Barber, Anne Carson, Jacinda Davey, Dr Marietta Elliott, Wendy Fleming, Kalyan Ky, Garth Madsen, Peter Macrow, Dr Robyn Peck

Organisations
We thank our major sponsors Arts Victoria and City of Banyule, City of Melbourne, Victorian Writers Centre, The Melbourne Writers Festival, The Age, Vicnet, The Immigration Museum, Yarra Plenty Library Services Watsonia Branch, 3RRR Aural text radio program, alicia sometimes and Steve Grimwade, David McLauchlan - producer "Nat Chat & Et Cetera" for free services to produce Red Lobster poetry program on CH31, Northern Access TV, Poets Union NSW in their publications and website, Collected Works Poetry and Ideas Bookshop, White Hat website, Overloadnation Inc, all poetry venues who advertise our events including Passionate Tongues, Spinning Room South, The Dan, Eco House St Kilda and many more.

Words From Robyn — Your Incoming President

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:31:37 +1000

At the AGM on Friday 27th March business proceeded smoothly with reports from our outgoing President Sue Stanford and Treasurer Leon Shann. On behalf of the Committee I would like to express our deep gratitude to Sue for her work, her commitment and her vision for MPU over the past two years.

The election of office-bearers passed unanimously. The President’s Report (on our website) and the Treasurer’s Report (available on application from Leon Shann) for 2008 demonstrate that Melbourne Poets Union has had an outstanding year. Please feel free to contact us if you have any ideas for improving MPU’s contribution to Melbourne’s tremendously dynamic poetry scene.

Our March event, Being Out There, was an outstanding success. alicia sometimes and Tug Dumbly are two experimental, exceptional spoken word artists who held our crowd in thrall. This was a great night of poetry and entertainment, on which we raised $100 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal thanks to assistance from the organizers of The Comedy Festival, who kindly donated 2 double passes to comedy festival events.

Our April event, a Round the Table Workshop led by Claire Gaskin, Kevin Brophy, Kristin Henry and Sherryl Clark, was a brilliant opportunity for members and non-member participants alike to refine their poems with four outstanding workshop leaders. Hugely successful, this was a real bargain at only $15 per person.

Our May event will be the extravanganza of the year. Poems in Conversation will be warmed up by John McKelvie, a singer and performer of satirical rhyme. Then, similarly to our March event, but extended, John Jenkins will mobilize a panel of poets and musicians to facilitate semi-improvised poetic interaction. Each poem will in some way echo the one before, encouraging deep listening on the part of both poets and audience. Open readers will be encourage to join in, in the same spirit.

What a tremendous year we have in store for you!

Office Bearers for 2009

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:14:24 +1000

The result of elections held at the AGM are as follows:

President: Dr Robyn Peck
Vice President (vacant)
Treasurer: Leon Shann
Promotions & Marketing: Kalyan Ky
Minutes Secretary: Wendy Fleming

Ordinary Committee Members:
Michael Reynolds: Events
Sue Stanford
Kathryn Hamann

Consultants:
Sue Gillett - Chief Editor (Honorary)
Ross Donlon - Country Representative
Dr Marietta Elliott-Kleerkoper
Kris Hemensley
Dr Stuart Armstrong
Sandy Fitts

Outgoing Presidents Report for 2008

Mon, 4 May 2009 16:04:48 +1000

After two years as MPU President Sue Stanford has handed over the reins to her replacement. Here are her parting words.

We would like to thank Sue for her dedication and application to the job — all the best for the future.