A misty, rainy Mountain day provided the perfect atmosphere – and personified the Mountain’s many moods – for the launch of the book ‘Ten Poems of Tamborine Mountain’ at the Zamia Theatre.
The wine flowed, the tills went ker-ching, and song and poetry were the order of the day. Wangerriburra Elder Uncle Steve Watson set the mood with his beautiful Welcome to Country, which was followed by Bella A’Capella, led by Dianne James, singing Aunty Ruby Sims ‘Ode to Country’. The sweet and soaring harmonies of the Bellas did justice to this stirring anthem.
It was a special treat to have new Mayor Tom Sharp launch the volume with great spirit and gusto. Tom’s father Geoff is a well-known Beechmont bard.
Following the launch, the work of two of the Mountain’s now-deceased poetic treasures, Mabel Forrest and Raymond Curtis, were read by Mabel’s great-grandson Peter Wyatt, and by Calanthe Poetry President Alison Johnson, who MC’d the event. Susannah Lathlean then gave the audience her amazing rendition of Judith Wright’s poem ‘Two Hundred Miles’ which, set to music by Susannah, always sends shivers down the spine. And of course the five contemporary poets read their work, most of it commissioned specially for this volume and contributed gratis. In their own distinct ways, Jena Woodhouse, Vanessa Page, Jane Frank, Stephanie Green and B.R. Dionysius pay tribute to the place’s beauty, reflecting the fascination people have long had with the Mountain.
The book makes a perfect keepsake for visitors, friends and family who live near and far. Calanthe Press, the local publisher that put this book together, encourages people to buy multiple copies to put aside as that handy, personal and very ‘Tamborine Mountain’ gift when needed. It supports and celebrates the place’s cultural heritage in a perfect little package, complete with posting envelope and bookmark.
Under the Greenwood Tree Bookshop on Main Western Road stocks the book. For those living off the Mountain, it is available on the Calanthe Press website ($14.95 plus postage). Calanthe Press will use the proceeds to fund the publication of future poetry volumes.
