top of page
Writer's pictureJulie Vellacott

The Power of Community

Updated: Sep 27, 2022


Fashion entrants

I’m very proud to be a member of the Boonah & District Cultural Foundation. For many years we have held an arts festival which is supported by local businesses and council, and embraced by the general community.


We feared it might die out during the pandemic but this year it was back with record numbers. Record numbers of competition entries and record numbers attending events. It is run by volunteers and need more people to join up and give support. It’s a labour of love for us all and we really do have lots of fun!


'What's Behind Window Number 4' People's Choice Award winner in the Art category. Photograph by Grant Quinn.

This year I entered all of the writing competitions and was thrilled to win 2nd prize for this poem:

I heard the koel call

Early, the street still sleeping,

The koel calls; again, again,

A signal call of rain

A strident, monotonous cry

The sound of a summer day

Storm season on the way.


Somewhere I read a comment:

‘A koel moved into my yard

It’s ruining my life!’

Somebody thought those words.

Poor besieged soul, so disturbed

By the warning call of a bird.


Some people call them storm birds.

My father did, who taught me

To listen to the song

Of the birds, they know

All that nature can bring.

And what they know, they sing.


The cultural foundation is by the community, for the community. Particularly enjoyable are the efforts of very young contributors.


A scene from the Youth Showcsse

In them lies our hope for continuing into the future.

Please take a moment to look through the links. I’d love to hear your comments. You can see and read all of the award winners here https://boonahartsfestival.org.au/award-winners-2022/





Recent Posts

See All

3 commentaires


lorettaehenry
04 oct. 2022

Juli, I feel the same about the wise Koel. What better warning system; not a siren, not a mechanical noise but a song. Love your poem.😊

J'aime

Prue Stewart
Prue Stewart
22 sept. 2022

Julie, It was so good to view all the winning events and especially to see you have won an award for your poem.

J'aime

Jo@JoSimplyWill
Jo@JoSimplyWill
22 sept. 2022

It was a great night and in fact a great week Julie! Congratulations on being awarded second prize.

J'aime
bottom of page