Twelve-year-old Tallimba girl Elspeth Hardie has won the inaugural 2017 Bland Shire pals of the pen writing competition.
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The talented young writer took out the middle school category in the ‘Aussie-Fest’ theme for 2017, where entrants had to write a poem or prose about country Australia.
Ms Hardie’s moving poem The place that I’ll be beat out several competitors by linking the themes of music, drought, native birds and country comradeship.
Mum Meghan Hardie believes her daughter is destined for something special, so wants it on the record early that she is not from Wagga – given the Riverina capital’s propensity to sneakily claim talent from nearby country towns.
“Although born in Wagga, she’s actually not from there… you're only allowed to have babies in Westy [West Wyalong] in emergency situations,” Meghan said.
Meghan said her daughter’s talent so impressed the local writers group, Elspeth has been asked to come and speak to their bi-weekly meeting.
“She is over the moon with what she achieved,” Meghan said.
Young Elspeth is also well known in her community for making and selling jewellry for cancer charity Can Assist.
Elspeth’s winning poem is as follows:
I walk outside in the dazzling sun
The birds are cheeping the Kookaburras have fun
G’day I say to the nature around
Thinking today bout’ the treasures be found
I slip on my thongs and walk outside
Staying whispery quiet and not sing aloud
Waltzing Matilda is a beautiful song
When I am distracted by an irresistible pong
Sasausages are cooking and I jump around with glee,
My favourite breakfast invented for me.
When I have finished eating the treat,
I go find my friend Sally Caleat.
She is actually a billy that I have found
She’s a range of colours red, white and brown
I find her sitting below,
A blooming wattle tree in the shape of a crow
I walk along with my beautiful girl
Towards the paddock that looks like they swirl
Giant Kangaroos bound across the plain,
Towards empty dams that need a rain.
The dust is blowing through the gum trees
Because of an ever increasing breeze
maybe the wind will blow up the rain,
To ease the farmer and animals pain
My dad drives up in an old Toyota
With a funny sounding, ratty motor
I gesture for Sally to go to the last
Sping that has been full in the past.
As dad and I hopped in the car
Above us flew a mob of galahs.
The galahs few up to roost in the trees,
This is Australia the place that I’ll be.