Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2020

Congratulations to Alice R, Rohahn M, John C, Sienna W, Rhiannan M, Ruby W and Tess K. These children entered the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards earlier in the year and have been awarded a participation certificate. These children have received their certificates. 

Please follow the link below to read the amazing winners and runners-up for this year:

https://www.dorothea.com.au/award-winners

Mrs Meaden

Finding the Place

I stepped into the ancient palace, the walls draped in old garments.

Candles were lit, people sung and the bells tingled in the breeze.

I smelt the aroma of crisp roasted beef,  neatly arranged with spices.

This was the place, I knew it! But my mind was quickly changed.

The dust gathered and entered my nose. I coughed  in surprise.

I spotted a stranger ahead in the midst of preparing.

An old man bent over stroking his matted beard.

Him, arranging a set of old patterned teapots in a low lit room.

This was the place, I knew it! But my mind was quickly changed.

Above the ground level, the monkeys dwell.

In the deepest jungle, overcome with nature, I search a house.

It’s old and broken, animals making their homes in cupboards and floorboards.

I smell dew, ash and an old fire, burnt out.

This was the place, I knew it! But my mind was quickly changed.

In an avalanche site I struggle up a steep path.

My nose is frozen and I gasp for air.

A blizzard blows in my eyes, it stings painfully.

I spot a wooden shack, buried in deep snow.

A familiar tall figure appears to greet me.

This was the place, I knew it! And I was right.

by Sienna W

A Single Drop

Pitter patter pitter patter

I’m cosy in my bed

I hear rain heavily coming down onto the roof

BOOM! Lightning strikes

I duck under the covers

Now the rain is pouring down

I tip toe out of my bed 

And sneak outside

As rain falls down on my face

I don’t feel cold

I feel alive 

I poke my tongue out and one drop lands

No two drops no three

I start to shiver as my pyjamas get drenched

BOOM! Lightning strikes

I better go inside.

 By Tess K

We Used To Live There:

We used to live there, 

As we did live any and everywhere. 

Places where we did not have a care. 

Regardless of how long we will have to leave that Eiffel Tower, 

We will always be there. 

Regardless of the fact that we might not be able to hear that tick tock of Big Ben, 

We will return once again. 

Regardless if the Barrier of our Reef might be closed, 

We will come back soon without having to impose.

Regardless if people cannot see the torch of Liberty, 

We will return and there will be plenty. 

For now we cannot go to these places in our home. 

As tempestuous as it may be, 

Soon we will come back and become free. 

We cannot become free just yet, 

But when we do return, we hope we’re not the only ones left.

By Rhiannan M

Never

The rumble of a truck pulling up on the drive,

Boxes packed and ready to go,

Walking around the bare rooms,

We used to live here.

Stepping through the threshold, into the cool air,

Helping load everything I ever knew,

Ready to start again,

We used to live here.

Being helped up by a warm hand,

The gentle clicks from in front of me,

One last look out the window,

We used to live here.

The slow rumble speeds up,

Losing sight of what once meant so much,

Scenery flashing by so quick,

We used to live there.

Greens, reds, blues,

Blurred by the speed in which I see them,

Thinking about what I left behind,

We used to live there.

After what seems like years, we slow,

I lean over, trying to get a first view,

But it's too dark, too quiet

We used to live there.

Movement and talking tells me I need to get out,

My feet land on the hard concrete, 

Scraping the soles of my shoes,

We used to live there.

The sound of walking,

The clink of keys,

A rustle, then a light blinds the darkness,

We used to live there.

 I’m shunted inside,

It smells of new carpet,

It feels wrong, different,

We used to live there.

Starting to set up,

I stand mesmerized on the spot,

Men in shiny coats move around me,

We used to live there.

A map placed on the wall,

One I know,

My hand stretches out,

We used to live there.

The paper under my finger tip,

Pointing, wishing,

A hand encloses my shoulder,

We used to live there,

Not any more,

Never again.

by Ruby W