Two Canticles

Francis Webb Centenary ed Rochford Street Review

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FRANCIS WEBB CENTENARY – 8 FEBRUARY 2025

by

8 February 2025 marks the centenary of the birth of Australian poet Francis Webb. Born at Rose Park, Adelaide, Francis went to live with his paternal parents in Sydney in 1931 after the death of mother and the institutionalisation of his father for depression. The young Webb was writing poetry at 7 years old and by 1942 his work was appearing in The Bulletin. His first collection, A Drum for Ben Boyd (1948), was described by Douglas Stewart as major poetry’ and ‘without parallel’ for a debut poet.

Writing about the Webb Centenary Dr Toby Davidson, a poet himself and a  Webb scholar based at Macquarie University, and editor of the UWAP updated edition of Francis Webb’s Collected Poems, writes:

By 1969, when Webb’s career effectively ended with his Collected Poems, he had profoundly influenced both the postwar and late 60s generations. Les Murray called him ‘the gold standard by which complex poetic language has been judged’, while Gwen Harwood wrote that Webb was ‘unmatched’ and Judith Wright declared ‘He’s done so much suffering for me and I’ve read him so much and I think that’s what poetry is for’. 

Today, Webb is recognised by a new generation as the first Australian poet to write about mental health and the lives of mental patients when it was utterly taboo, informed by his redemptive, transcendent Catholicism. 

Francis Webb will forever be the ultimate ‘poet’s poet’, but he belongs to all Australians and this milestone is a chance to reflect on his legacy which elevates us all. 

To celebrate the centenary year of Webb’s birth Dr Davidson will be convening a series of publications, podcasts and readings in his honour throughout 2025. Details of these events can be found at https:// uwap.uwa.edu.au/ blogs/marginalia/ centenary-of-major-australian-poet-francis-webb

To mark the actual centenary Rochford Street Review is republishing Robert Adamson’s important essay Something Absolutely Splendid as well as the poem ‘Two Canticles’, a poem about Webb by Colleen Keating:

– Mark Roberts

 

 

Phillipa Holland Poetry Award for 2024 winner Colleen Keating

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I am honoured and excited to win the Phillipa Holland Poetry Award for 2024 for my poem Two Canticles It was announced in the Fellowship of Australian Writers  Eastwood/Hills Poetry Competition, Saturday afternoon 3rd August 2024  on a Zoom meeting to  avail us all  shortlisted candidates to come together from all over Australia.  Thank you to the judges and hard working organisers Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti and Frances moon

I had two poems Shortlisted for the selection, Two Canticles and Ungraspable.

It was also exciting to have my second poem Highly Commended.

Results

Winner of the Phillipa Holland Poetry Award 2024   for the poem Two Canticles.  Colleen Keating

Highly commended in the Phillipa Holland Poetry Award 2024 for the poem Ungraspable  Colleen Keating

Annual Literary Competition Results 2024

AUGUST 3, 2024 / HILLSFAW

 

Eastwood/ Hills FAW has completed judging for our Annual Literary Competition. We are very pleased to congratulate the following 2024 Category Winners and place-getters.

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I feel my winning poem is appropriate for today August 2024 as it is a cry for peace , still a cry  over the hundreds of years from St Francis in the 12th century to Francis Webb who lived in the late 20th century dying in Sydney in 1973 and now I wrtie in 2024 and it is acknowledged with an award.

Last night my award became a reality when i heard from my poetry group Pennant Hills Poet   receiving congratulations even before I could find a list of the winners. Thank you to David and the group for their constant support and positive  edits of our work  each week.

Dear Friends
I have learnt some wonderful news; please excuse me piggy backing on earlier emails.
The results of the annual competitions convened by the Eastwood/Hills FAW have been announced. Our own Colleen has won First prize in the Philippa Holland Award (for poetry) with her poem “Two Canticles”. And Colleen had another poem Highly Commended as well.
Congratulations, Colleen!
Best wishes
David

Eastwood/Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers

Dear Colleen Keating,

I am pleased to announce that your entries ‘Two Canticles’ and ‘ungraspable’ have been shortlisted in the Poetry category of our literary competition.
The Presentation is scheduled to be held via Zoom on Saturday the 3rd of August, 2024 at 2.30pm.  Shortlisted entrants will need to have their entry/entries handy to read out should they be awarded First or Second Place.
The Zoom link will be emailed the day before the event.  Please let us know via return email if you are able or unable to attend.
Thank you for entering our competition.
Regards,
Carolyn Alfonzetti
Competition Secretary
Eastwood/Hills FAW