• Charles Sturt’s Booranga Writers’ Centre to host second online Zoom poetry reading

Four poets - three regional and one international - will ensure their voices are heard as Charles Sturt University’s Booranga Writers’ Centre hosts its second online poetry reading.

After the success of its first online event, Booranga Writers’ Centre in Wagga Wagga will reclaim its online presence with a second Zoom poetry reading on Thursday 18 June from 8pm.

Wiradjuri man Mr John Mukky Burke and Mr Greg Pritchard, both from Wagga Wagga, Dr Keri Glastonbury from Newcastle, and Associate Professor Goro Takano from Japan will read selections of their work.

The event will conclude with an open-mic session, hosted by Dr Lachlan Brown from Charles Sturt’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, for other participants who want to share their poems.

Booranga Writers’ Centre President Mr David Gilbey (pictured) said the event will link writers from Wagga Wagga and the Riverina to other parts of Australia and the world.

Mr Gilbey said as the arts industry adapts to the restrictions of COVID-19, Zoom offered an intimate way for writers to connect via a public venue.

“Writing is often a solitary activity but writers yearn for connection, balancing the needs to explore their inner landscapes with the outside social, geographic and political worlds,” he said.

“While the COVID-19 restrictions have enforced the arts to hunker down, Zoom has opened an inclusive portal, whereby local and regional writers can join with national and international writers.”

As restrictions start to ease, Mr Gilbey said Booranga will continue to nurture and promote poetry in Wagga Wagga and perhaps utilise the online space for future events.

Participants and guests will be available to access the free online event via this Zoom link.