First The Poetry, Then The Rugger
19 March 2009
Good Rugby has been described as poetry in motion, but on Saturday night it will be poetry first then the Rugby.
As part of the pre-match entertainment for the Waratahs versus Crusaders Super 14 match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, six poets will regale fans in The Overflow precinct, adjacent to Olympic Boulevard and the newly installed Tah Bar.
The poets are among those selected from around Australia to be part of a unique project called Dust Poems aimed at showing that truckies and the trucking industry not only keep Australia moving but also boast a solid artistic streak.
ABC sports presenter and journalist Peter Wilkins will put the amateur and professional poets through their paces, along with live music and guest appearances, starting at 5pm.
The six poets are: Olivia Richardson (Rutherford, NSW); Mick O’Brien (Clonbinane, Vic); David J Delaney (Mt Sheridan, Qld); Lindsay Tuggle (Austinmer, NSW); Brendan Ryan (Portarlington, Vic); and Judith Bishop (North Ryde, Sydney).
Mick O’Brien, a truckie for the past 23 years, lost his house and 20 hectare property in last month’s Victorian bushfires.
Olivia Richardson, a 13 year old student, has traveled extensively in the rig of her truckie dad Tony, since she was a youngster. He calls her his "best mate".
The six commissioned poems will be showcased at 112 locations across Sydney Olympic Park for three months, starting this weekend.
These six and the verse of 10 other people with backgrounds in the trucking business and associated industries have been published in a “Log Book” Anthology, which will be available in The Overflow on Saturday night.
Dust Poems, initiated by Sydney-based The Red Room Company, has been assisted by Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Deloitte and Bigway Interiors.
It is supported by radio Legend John Laws.
Media inquiries to Johanna Featherstone 0425 312 334 or Graham Cassidy, Cato Counsel, 0419 202 317
More details are available at the website www.dustpoems.com