Cloudcatcers' Ginko No.17 Autumn
22 April 2010
Victoria Park, Alstonville

A ginko in a rainforest is always a little bit different, with added emphasis on the aural stimuli. So many bird calls we can't identify and fascinating tiny creatures that even some of the more experienced naturalists have never seen before. Shy pademelons cross our path from time to time. Add to that the clean fresh intake of breath, and the stillness of mind amidst all the forest noises. We ponder on the knowledge that this is truly pristine habitat.
The venue is a well-preserved remnant of rainforest in the Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a few kilometres out of Alstonville in Northern New South Wales. Occasional showers came and went, but did not interfere with our enthusiasm. Discussion persisted as we lunched together afterwards at the House With No Steps, and continues still as haiku re-worked from the day are workshopped in a Round Robin.
If you are in the area, we would be glad to welcome you to participate in our winter ginko. Contact Quendryth Young: [email protected]

Posted by Graham Nunn at 07:08 PM | Permalink

Haiku submissions for the June issue of Famous Reporter have closed. Submissions for the December issue can be sent to guest editor Janice Bostok at [email protected] before 30 September, 2010.

Posted by Graham Nunn at 06:00 PM | Permalink

Good news from South Australia that Friendly Street Poets intend convening
a haiku competition again this year.

Watch this space for details when available.

Posted by Beverley George at 05:14 PM | Permalink

Bindii (formerly SA Haiku Group) meeting 6 Feb 2009: Report to HaikuOz

We met at the Box Factory, Regent St South in Adelaide from 10.30 to 1 pm.

Present: Belinda Broughton, Marilyn Linn, Jill Gower, Lesley Charlesworth, Pam Brow, Dawn Colsey, Alex Ask, Lyn Arden.

Apologies: Margaret Fensom, Athena Zaknic.

A special thank you to Belinda Broughton from all members, and from Lyn in particular, for all her help in establishing our fledgling group. Belinda has indicated that for health reasons she will not be attending the group in future, as she needs to cut back on her activities.

Tanka Workshop by Belinda Broughton: Belinda presented to the group a tanka workshop, supported by written material and examples of favourite tanka. We then practiced writing some tanka, guided by Belinda’s expert advice. Thank you Belinda for your expert help and the informative workshop!

Kukai: following the workshop we held a kukai, sharing and enjoying haiku written by group members. The meeting finished at 1 pm.

The group will not meet in March, but we are planning to write a collaborative Renku between the February and April meeting via email.

Lynette Arden

Posted by Beverley George at 05:10 PM | Permalink

Lyn Reeves has a number of her haiku featured in a new exhibition of paintings by Desiree Fitzgibbon. Codex - opens at Handmark Gallery, Salamanca Place, Hobart on 23 April and runs until 19 May. Lyn will read her haiku at the opening.

The Haiku Journey - A joyful life-long practice of mindfulness and attention,with Ron Moss
Learn the ancient Japanese art of writing haiku, then walk in the tranquil surrounds of the Botanical Gardens to develop your inspiration. Conclude with a stunning slideshow presentation of haiga, haiku blended with artwork. This workshop is suitable for people new to writing as well as experienced writers.
The morning will cover a brief history of haiku; the question of syllables; what is the form of modern haiku (what makes it a haiku); techniques for writing and revision. The afternoon will feature a Ginko Walk, a quiet personal walk with the opportunity to write; time to workshop our haiku and share them if you choose; other forms, haibun, renku – the way of collaborative writing; haiga (haiku and art) with a slideshow presentation; publishing opportunities and the global haiku community; haiku as a life-long path of mindfulness and attention.
When: Saturday 1 May, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $48 members, $88 non-members
Venue: Training room, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart.
Bookings: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or phone 6224 0029

Kindling the Spark: A Journey into Tanka, with Jenny Barnard
Take time out to feel the essence of beauty and mystery as expressed In a simple five line poem, the tanka. The tanka extends the haiku, using its keenness of sensory perception but with an additional emotive or personal layer. We will explore this beautiful form, its conciseness and musicality. Learn how to write a tanka, using modern language or colloquialisms, to evoke a moment or a memory. This workshop is suitable for people new to writing as well as experienced writers.
When: Saturday 29 May. 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $33 members, $65 non-members
Venue: Legacy House, 159 Macquarie Street Hobart.
Bookings: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or phone 6224 0029
Tasmanian publisher, Pardalote Press, recently released a new collection of translations of ancient Chinese poetry by Ian Johnston. Waiting for the Owl is reviewed by Barry Hill in the May issue of Australian Book Review.

Publications section:

Haiku submissions for the June issue of Famous Reporter have closed. Submissions for the December issue can be sent to guest editor Janice Bostok at
[email protected] before 30 September, 2010.

Posted by Beverley George at 05:02 PM | Permalink