Nov 30 9:00 am - May 17 12:00 pm

The Wetlands Centre

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POETRY IN NATURE: YOUTH POETRY COURSE 2024-2025

We are calling all young poets aged 13-17 to embark with us on an exploratory journey at The Wetlands Centre. Join our free youth poetry course and be ready to transform your ideas into powerful poems.

This event is part of The Spark program, made possible by the generosity of the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries and Healthway. The Spark offers young people the opportunity to dive into various creative projects, from podcasting to filmmaking, creative writing, and more!

SCHEDULE:

INTRO SESSION AND GUIDED TOUR:

Explore The Wetlands Centre at Bibra Lake in a 2-hour guided tour. Parents welcome!

Date: 30th of November
Time: 9am to 11am

FIND YOUR POETIC VOICE:

Dive deep into five follow-up workshops, honing your skills and finding your unique voice.

Date: 14th of December
Time: 10am to 12pm

Date: 18th of January
Time: 10am to 12pm

Date: 22nd of February
Time: 10am to 12pm

Date: 29th of March
Time: 10am to 12pm

Date: 12th of April
Time: 10am to 12pm

Date: 17th of May
Time: 10am to 12pm

POLISH YOUR WORK: You are also entitled to claim two separate one-on-one editing feedback after the final workshop.

SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT: Your work will be published in a Centre for Stories anthology. Official anthology launch party in July. Party date still to be announced.

SHINE ON STAGE: Showcase your talent at the Perth Poetry Festival in August 2025. Festival date still to be announced.

LOCATION:

All workshops will take place at the inspiring Wetlands Centre, immersing you in nature’s beauty as you write.

EXPERT GUIDANCE:

You’ll be mentored by the renowned poet Lakshmi Kanchi, pen name SoulReserve. Lakshmi is an emerging Western Australian poet of Indian descent on a mission—”to make poetry accessible.” Her poetry explores love and its tumultuousness, and fantasy and zest in nature. Her writing anatomises the complex linkages between history, language, culture, and perception. Lakshmi is the Chairperson of WA Poets Inc. and Deputy Chair of Creative Connections. Her debut collection, “Lakesong,” was published by Centre for Stories (Western Australia) in collaboration with Red River Press (New Delhi). She won the 2023 Ros Spencer Poetry Prize and the 2021 Pocketry Prize for Unpublished Poets and was shortlisted for the Grieve Project 2024, Heroines Poetry Prize, and South Coast Writer’ Centre’s Poetry Prize twice in a row. She was also the inaugural Poet-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre (2022-23). Her poetry appears in ‘Australian Poetry Anthology,’ ‘Social Alternatives,’ ‘Portside Review,’ ‘Burrow Journal,’ ‘The Saltbush Review,’ ‘Blue Bottle Journal,’ and more.

WHAT TO BRING:

Just your creativity, paper, and pen. If you prefer, you’re welcome to bring a laptop instead. Don’t miss this chance to join a community of young poets, learn from experts, and publish your work. Spaces are limited, so sign up now and let your poetic journey begin.

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  SoulReserve

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  Lakshmi Kanchi, pen name SoulReserve, is an emerging Western Australian poet of Indian descent. Her poetry explores love and its tumultuousness and fantasy and zest in nature. And her writing anatomises the complex linkages between history, language, culture and perception. Lakshmi is a dedicated Writing WA and WA Poets Inc. Board Member. Her debut collection, "Lakesong," was recently published by Centre for Stories which explores themes of love, nature, and culturation. She is the recipient of the 2023 Ros Spencer Poetry Prize and the 2021 Pocketry Prize for Unpublished Poets. She was shortlisted twice in a row for the SCWC Wollongong’s Poetry Prize. Lakshmi's poetry has been featured in— ‘Social Alternatives,’ ‘Portside Review,’ ‘Burrow Journal,’ "The Saltbush Review", "Blue Bottle Journal", "Seagift Journal", "Recoil 12" and more. She was the inaugural Poet-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre through 2022-23 where she worked on her mission to “make poetry accessible to everyone in the wider community”.

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