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Join the bush verse Christmas bash

By Jaci Hicken

Dec 4, 2025

Bush poetry, as explained by Kyabram Bush Verse group founding member and bush poet Mick Coventry, is Australian rhyming poetry that tells a story about Australia with rhythm and rhyme. Photo by McPherson Media Group

The Kyabram and District Bush Verse Group is celebrating its Christmas party on Sunday, December 14, at Kyvalley Hall at 534 Scobie Rd Kyvalley.

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The event starts at noon with tickets priced at $30 per person, including lunch and entertainment featuring bush verse, yarns and poetry from group members and visiting performers.

Kyabram and District Bush Verse group founding member and bush poet Mick Coventry clarifies what constitutes bush poetry in modern times.

“Bush poetry does not mean that it is about the bush,” he said.

“Probably the best way to describe it is, some people call it bush verse, is Australian rhyming poetry.

“So it is written by an Australian about Australia, that is what bush poetry is.

“All it has to do is tell a story and have rhythm and rhyme.”

The group has evolved since its inception, with membership fluctuating over the years.

“When we first started the Kyabram Bush Verse group, we had 35 members and when we first started, I was the youngest,” Mick said.

“We have about 18 members, and there are still a few poetry groups around.”

The Christmas event typically attracts a strong audience.

“Our Christmas event, we usually have 70 or 80 people come along, which is quite good for a small club,” Mick said.

“At our Christmas party, we will have 10 or 12 different performances that will get up and do something.”

A little boy’s letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

God bless ya. You know, you're my bestest mate, and I send this letter to you to try and set the record straight.

See, I’ve been really good all year, and I’ve tried so very hard, and I always help me mum and dad with little jobs around the yard.

But, sometimes accidents happen, and it’s always me what gets the blame.

So, Santa, you must believe me, as I need to clear my name.

It wasn’t me who burnt the haystack down, though they found matches in my pocket.

Then the hay shed caught on fire to the machinery shed, Dad’s tractor blew up like a rocket.

And it cost him heaps for renewal because the insurance company didn’t pay.

They said we were a bad risk after I burned the dairy down last May.

And because I burned the dairy down, Dad had nowhere to keep the cow, so I let her walk on the road by herself.

She’s probably in North Queensland by now.

And Dad used to let me pick up the mail from the mailbox at the end of the lane, but after I lost his wool check, he said I’m never allowed to go there again.

And one day, I thought I’d be real helpful.

I’d start the mower, but that mower has got a mind of its own.

And Mum’s prize winning roses got shorn.

And speaking of things with a mind of their own, Dad’s ute was like that as well.

I accidentally started it in gear and it shot through like a bat out of hell and wiped out the garage and the outhouse, then up the tank stand it started to climb.

And Dad got really upset because he was in the outhouse at the time.

So things haven’t gone too well for me

I’ve had a very unfortunate year, but I know that you will forgive me and still bring me some Christmas cheer.

So, please come to my house, Santa, although you might not recognise the place.

Because I accidentally burned it down last, and Dad’s got a strange look on his face.

But, I know he will cheer up if you bring heaps of presents really quick, and have a happy Christmas yourself, Santa.

From your bestest favourite little boy, Mick

Mick Coventry

Membership is open to all skill levels and interests.

“You don't have to be a reciter, you don't have to be a writer,” Mick said.

“Some of our members don't write or recite, they just love listening.”

Mick brings extensive experience to the group as president of the Henry Lawson Society in Melbourne.

“It is an organisation that has been going since 12 months after Henry passed away, so it is the longest serving society in the country,” he said.

The group performs regularly throughout the year at various venues for groups such as Probus and U3A, with Mick attending and performing at various festivals.

Mick has been a regular performer at major festivals including The Man from Snowy River festival in Corryong and the Port Fairy Festival.

He also contributes weekly to local media, writing for the Ky Free Press since 1998.

“I write a little anecdote for the Ky Free Press, each week,” he said.

“Gus Underwood asked me if I could come up with a little story for ‘Around the Traps’ page each week and I have been doing that since 1998.

“I've done about 1700, 1800 of them and they are just little things that you might hear; it might be a joke, it might be an anecdote.”

Bookings for the Christmas party can be made by calling Paula on 58 522 281, Greg on 0418 599 924 or Mick on 0427 522 097.