Ted Webber (pictured), Greg Broderick and Jim Lamb have been keeping the tradition of bush poetry alive in the Hilltops region for around two decades. Photo: Ted Webber.
Just a hop step and a jump over a few creeks from bush bard Henry Lawson’s birthplace of Grenfell, the tales of the bush still abound and resound through the Hilltops region.
At 78, Ted Webber is one of three driving forces behind the Wombat Bush Poets group, based in Young, which has dedicated itself to nurturing the rich tradition of Australian bush verse for two decades.
Ted’s own journey into the world of bush poetry began quite unexpectedly in the late 1990s.
“I was at a folk festival in Jindabyne and heard a performer reciting poetry by the campfire,” he recalls. “I was immediately captivated. There was something about the rhythm and storytelling that really resonated with me.”
Hooked, he went home and penned his very first bush poem, a piece narrated from the perspective of a discarded farm implement.
“It was a bit rough, but I was proud of it,” he said. “I knew then that this was something I wanted to pursue.”
Ted soon found a likeminded bard in Young stock and station agent Greg Broderick and together they galvanised support for a “nameless group”, Ted’s words, which instantly moved into the public spotlight with top billing on the town’s annual Cherry Festival program.
“Yes we were asked to run a bush poetry competition at the annual Cherry Festival in Young,” Ted said. “We had a wonderful time with that for years – the venue would be packed, with people of all ages coming to share their poems and soak up the atmosphere.”
However, after a decade of running the festival event, Ted and Greg decided it was time for a change. “We both looked at each other one year and wondered if we really wanted to do it again,” Ted said. “But we soon realised, actually, we missed it terribly.”
The solution lay in a slight pivot to pub poetry in a quirky little watering hole.
They didn’t need to look far – about 15 minutes south of Young – where they settled on the historic hotel in the village of Wombat where each Sunday night all would be regaled with ballads, yarns and verse, from the humorous to melancholic exploring themes of Australian folklore, including bushranging, droving, droughts, floods, life on the frontier, slipping through the centuries to modern times.
For demographic and geographic reasons, the group now meet every Sunday afternoon at Young’s Commercial Hotel, offering an open mic platform for both seasoned performers and budding poets, welcoming anyone who gives them an audience.
One such night is planned for this weekend.
Wombat Bush Poets’ Jim Lamb (standing) and Greg Broderick (seated). Photo: Ted Webber.
“It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the appeal,” he said. “We never know quite what’s going to happen, but we love nurturing that new talent. We get everyone from visiting poets to complete beginners.”
They still get a bigger platform at the annual Cherry Festival bush breakfast in Young’s Anderson Park, where backdropped by a snapping fire on a screen, anyone can have a crack at entertaining the crowd.
While Ted acknowledges bush poetry may not be the most fashionable genre for younger generations, he remains passionate about keeping the tradition alive.
“You’d be surprised how many people, young and old, come up to say how much they enjoy our performances,” he said.
“I didn’t come to it until I was in my 60s, so I know it’s not just for the young.
“We’ve got to keep providing those spaces for people to share their work and find their voice.”
One such young voice is a local eight-year-old regular at the Wombat Bush Poets gatherings.
“She is wonderful,” Ted said. “She comes up and recites these amazing poems, and the audience is captivated. She’s proof that bush poetry can appeal to all ages.”
Wombat Bush Poets also boasts two Australian champions on the Australian Bush Poetry Roll of Honour.
Ted’s own writing style leans towards the narrative or “yarn” poetry, where he weaves vivid tales of bush life and its colourful characters.
“I’m not the most prolific writer, but I do love crafting those stories and trying to connect with the audience,” he said. “There’s nothing quite like that feeling of the room hanging on your every word.”
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, either. Ted has won several prestigious bush poetry competitions including Gatton, Dunedoo and Grenfell’s Henry Lawson festivals.
“I’m no natural poet, but I’ve managed a few wins,” he said modestly. “It’s always such a thrill.”
Looking to the future, Ted’s goal now is to find a worthy successor to carry on the Wombat Bush Poets’ legacy from he, Greg and relative ‘young’un’ Jim Lamb.
“We’re getting on a bit, and we need to start thinking about who’s going to take over,” he said. “We’ve had some wonderful young poets come through our group, so I’m hopeful we can find someone to keep the tradition alive.”
In the meantime, he remains as passionate and energetic as ever.
Keen to introduce bush poetry to a whole new audience, he’s currently working on a project to involve disadvantaged members of the community in the next Cherry Festival performance.
“This is more than just a hobby for me,” Ted said. “It’s a way of life, a connection to our history and heritage. I’m determined to ensure it continues to thrive in our region.”
For more information on the Wombat Bush Poets Open Mic night this weekend, visit its Facebook page.
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