Poems commemorate Anzac

April 2016 | Wai Lin Coultas

AS PART of its community involvement, Deloraine Creative Studios is holding two poetry exhibitions for a week each side of Anzac Day this year.

'Language of War’ with poems by Tasmanians and 'Behind every war there are good women’ with poems by Australian and New Zealand women come illustrated with images of war memorials across Australia and New Zealand.

The poetries have been selected from nearly 7000 generated from Graeme Lindsay’s 100 Years from Gallipoli Poetry Project; presenting a variety of views about commemorating Anzac Day and other military commemorations.

The images on war memorials were chosen from Lindsay’s collection of more than 4000.

All were first displayed last year, in conjunction with the Deloraine RSL, as a contribution to the centenary of the Australian and New Zealand landing at Gallipoli.

The poems were selected to present the broadest range of views, many contrasting with messages ‘popular’ on Anzac Day in modern Australia.

And the second theme is limited to women poets as views about military commemorations tend to be dominated by men or male dominated organisations.

Launceston, Rosny, Devonport and Burnie LINCs, along with Coffs Harbour’s Bunker Gallery, have displayed both exhibitions.

Lindsay’s book, When Anzac Day comes round comprises poems by more than 200 Australians and New Zealanders, including ones literary-renowned globally.

Lindsay’s ongoing project is self-funded and uses www. ozzywriters.com/index.php/ exhibitions to call for poetry submissions.

Lindsay’s exhibitions at the Deloraine Creative Studio run from 18 to 30 April.