MCKENZIE THOMPSON

A GAWLER writer has reflected on the time he met one of Australia’s greatest modern-day poets Les Murray, after the literary giant passed away last Monday aged 80.

Local storyteller Martin Johnson still remembers the day Mr Murray, who died on Monday, April 29, visited Gawler back in March 1999.

Among various writing awards that year, Mr Murray was presented with a gold medal for poetry by the Queen, was short-listed for the Nobel Prize for Literature, and at the invitation of Mr Johnson later visited Gawler.

During his stay he conducted a number of writing workshops at the Prince Albert Hotel over the weekend of March 6, from Friday to Sunday.

He also launched a local anthology of poetry “Come down the lane with me” edited by local poet/artist Cathy Young.

Mr Johnson said the three-day event, which was in part assisted by the South Australian Writers’ Centre with many of the state’s leading poets in attendance, was an outstanding success and had stayed in the memory of those who were present.

“I can still remember it well,” he said.

“I had Les booked into the Eagle Foundry.

“He loved it.

“The bed head was made out of fence posts and coming off a farm at Bunyah, he felt right at home.”

Following his reading on the Friday night, on the Saturday, after his workshop, Mr Johnson showed Mr Murray the sights of Gawler including a nighttime drive past Para Para mansion.

“I liked Les, he was who he was,” Mr Johnson said.

“He was friendly, generous in sharing his views of life and in the way he suggested how new poets could improve their work.

“I am glad to have met him.”

Mr Murray published almost 30 volumes of poetry throughout his lifetime, as well as two verse novels.