There was great excitement at Fairfax Public School on September 15 on the announcement of the 2021 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Award recipients.

Year 6 Fairfax School student Eileen Murphy, daughter of Pat and Renee Murphy, was announced winner of the Kurrumbede Award with her poem titled ‘Namoi Menagerie’.

With entries for Dorothea Mackellar poetry awards amounting to 7600 Australia-wide, and 400 entries in the Kurrumbede section of the competition, Eileen’s family was overjoyed with the news.

“We are both very proud of Eileen and her achievements,” said Eileen’s mother Renee.

“She has always had a real love of reading, and this has come through in her writing of this beautiful poem.

“We are thrilled that Fairfax School gave all the children this opportunity to enter the Dorothea Mackellar poetry awards and how the teachers continually foster their love of learning”.

Eileen, who is 11-years-of-age, received the news of her win at the beginning of term three, and kept the secret from her sisters and classmates for a few weeks until the official announcement was made at the presentation ceremony.

“It was really hard to keep the secret from my sisters, Erin, Brigid and Molly.

“During those few weeks I had to practise the recital of the poem ready for my video submission for the ceremony.

“The only way I could do this was to take my red kelpie ‘Scail’ away from the house for walks and practise my poem aloud.

“The only people who knew about my win were my principal Mrs Burtenshaw, my teacher Mrs Harvey, and Mum and Dad.

“I knew I couldn’t let Molly hear me, or the secret would have been out!”

Eileen’s beloved dog Scail (pronounced ‘Skawl’) is Gaelic for Shadow, another example of her love of words.

“Eileen has always had a passion for learning, especially reading, and she has displayed the maturity of being open to feedback and constantly looking to improve,” Fairfax School principal Diana Burtenshaw said.

“She also has wonderful country values which are captured beautifully in this poem.

“Eileen would love to run a sheep property one day and breed kelpies, and I have told her if these aspirations do come true, she must promise me that she keeps on writing.

“Fairfax School is extremely proud of Eileen’s achievements”.

Narrabri resident and local bush poet Jacqui Warnock has been visiting the school for thirteen years, helping to instil a love of reading and poetry with the students.

She has shared poems with the children, encouraged their writing and coached the students for Eisteddfod presentations.

“I am so thrilled to see Eileen’s beautiful writing.

“Congratulations Eileen, it is fabulous work, so descriptive and emotional too.

“Eileen’s poem contained that ingredient so special to poetry – rhyme – one of the most important attributes for poetry in my world. I am thrilled for her”.

The Dorothea Mackellar awards have been running for 37 years, run by volunteer committees and open to all school aged children across Australia.

This year’s optional theme was ‘Rich and Rare’.

All winners received an individual trophy which this year is a work by Gunnedah artist Maree Kelly in addition to prizemoney and book vouchers.

“We were really excited to learn of Eileen’s win in the Kurrumbede Primary section. It is wonderful achievement by Eileen and also a credit to the school and its teachers who clearly foster creative writing,” The Dorothea Mackellar Society president of Gunnedah, Philippa Murray said.

Fairfax Public School has a long and proud history and while enrolments might fluctuate, its commitment to learning excellence is plain to see.

Eileen featured in the online national presentation ceremony which can be viewed at https://dorothea.com.au/Presentation-Ceremony”.

The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society has taken part in some significant projects this year, the painting of an imposing silo mural in Gunnedah and the staging of an inaugural open day at Kurrumbede, the former Mackellar homestead, with the gates opening to the public for the first time.

It is hoped to be the first of many such gatherings at the homestead which belonged to the Mackellar family for almost 40 years from 1905.

Judging the primary school age section entries, foundation judge Michelle Taylor has perused close to 5000 poems written by young people of primary school age from across the country.

Her words of encouragement to the children are heartfelt.

“You have offered insights into each and every one of your worlds.

“Topics included the inner worlds of identity, self-acceptance, belonging, fear sadness and courage.

“There were poems on first nations’ culture, the pandemic, drought, fires and farming.

“You questioned, expressed outrage, confronted difficult truths, called for equity, peace and greater care for our climate and environment.

“You made this judge laugh out loud.

“You made me feel concerned for you.

“You took my breath away.

“You helped me see the world differently.

“Thank you to each and every one of you who entered”.

Ms Taylor writes for children, young adults and the young at heart.

She’s published seven books of poetry and is the recipient of numerous awards.

Ms Taylor’s accolade, written against Eileen’s winning entry says it all.

“A beautiful ode to the Namoi River employing stunning imagery to great effect”.

Ms Murray is proud to acknowledge other local district winners, Learning Assistance Primary winner, Cooper King-Seach, 11 years, from Curlewis Public School, with his poem “My Aboriginal Teacher”, Kurrumbede Award winner (secondary school), Holly Munday, 14 years, from Gunnedah High School with her poem “Killers of the Night” and Rowena Public School student Paddy Harris who received the David Maher Award for Small School for his poem “Planting”.

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