The Poet hisself : Graham Fredriksen
(he doesn't have the hat any more, it was last seen in a paddock, in a dog's mouth...the dog later came down with scurvy dog's mouth disease and has not been seen or heard of since)

 
This is the forward to Graham's book "Another Day in Paradise". Copies of this book may be obtained by phoning the poet direct on (+61) (0)7 54971045

"On the night of Easter Sunday, 1998, exactly two years after our group: the North Pine Bush Poets formed and I performed my first-ever poetry.

"I stood on the edge of the Billabong in the newly-opened Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, in western Qld., and performed a poem to an assembled crowd dotted with the who's who of Australian Bush Poetry. I had just received their most prestigious award for written verse:

"The Bronze Swagman. It was indeed a proud and humbling experience to receive this recognition.

"After my delivery of the winning poem: "Battle of St. Quentin's Canal", I was told that one could almost smell the gunpowder, see the smoke and feel the shrapnel as the tragic historic battle epic of Australians fighting in someone else's war unfolded: a great complement of performance and writing.......... it was a time to cherish.

"I now have pleasure in presenting to you this book: a culmination of two years writing and forty years living: and featuring the award poem."