FSP Committee for 2024

Following the recent AGM, FSP is pleased to announce the new Management Committee for 2024-2025:

  • Nigel Ford (Convenor)
  • Kristy Willet (Treasurer)
  • Veronica Cookson (Secretary and Membership)
  • Susan O’Brien
  • David Cookson
  • Fred Willet
  • Erica Jolly
  • Murray Alfredson

We thank out-going Convenor, Susan O’Brien, and Committee Members, Stef Rozitis, Margaret Fensom (Dingle) and Helen Hutton, for all their hard work supporting FSP. Helen will continue on as Publishing Editor for the forthcoming FSP publications.

Poem of the Month – February 2024 – Robbie Lennard

The first Poem of the Month for 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors  Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman is Yes by Robbie Lennard. The commended poem is Justin Fordham by Barbara Preston.


Yes
Robbie Lennard

Yes you may come for tea this Saturday
please arrive at half-past-ten for elevenses
then at eleven we’ll celebrate high noon –
… please bring your own silver spoon
please wear a white dress
bring no didgeridoos
no emu-feathered shoes
bring the last of your kind
bring a game of mastermind

we’ll play that
and backgammon too
scrabble for a chess-set
and a dog or two

and my man
how is your tribe these days?… Click for more

Submissions for New Poets 25 now open

Friendly Street Poets is pleased to announce that submissions of manuscripts for New Poets 25 are now open (1st April 2024) and close at midnight 31st May 2024.

Each volume in the New Poets series publishes short collections of poems from three South Australian resident poets who have not yet published a collection of poetry.

Before submitting your manuscript, please read the rules and formatting requirements carefully. Failure to comply with the requirements will result in your submission being disqualified. The rules can be read or downloaded as a PDF document at the links below.

FSP 2024 Annual General Meeting and April Open Mic

This month’s meeting will begin with our 2024 AGM. You must be a current financial member of FSP to take part in the AGM. There are openings for positions on the Management Committee. If you would like to nominate, follow the instructions on the agenda or send us a message via this link:
Nominate for Committee. If you are unable to attend the AGM but would like to vote via a proxy, please nominate your proxy via a message at this link: Proxy nomination.

Click here to download the AGM Agenda.Click for more

Poem of the Month – December 2023 – Valerie Volk

The Poem of the Month for December 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is Lot 22 by Valerie Volk. The commended poems for December are In Worrying Times by Elaine Barkerstrings by phil saunders and Akin (excerpt) by Robbie Lennard.


Lot 22
Valerie Volk

Impersonal, the auctioneer’s drone.
Small square wooden case. Unusual.
An apathetic crowd. My pang of guilt,
in spite of family pressure, voice of reason.
Time to downsize, get rid of stuff.

But this. I should have kept it.
Made by a father’s loving hand.
I hear his accent, still …
A case for you, for school.Click for more

FSP March 2024 City Meeting and Open Mic

Monday, 4th March, 2024
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read. 3 minutes per poet

All welcome!

Add your name to the reading list on the night if you want a turn at the mic. If you are a member of FSP, bring two printed copies of your poems with your name and contact details if you want them considered for next year’s anthology, or submit them electronically via the form below after the session.

The meeting will be held under current COVID-19 safety plans if required.


Click for more