Henry Lawson Festivals on the June Long Weekend

Henry Lawson was an Australian poet and writer. Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period, and is often called Australia's "greatest writer". Many believe he was the first poet to capture the Australian way of life. And today, Henry Lawson's work is an inspiration to many Australians.

Henry Lawson was born on 17 June 1867, at Grenfell on the goldfields in rural New South Wales, and he died on 2 September 1922.  He was honoured with a state funeral, which was attended by both Jack Lang, Premier of New South Wales, and W.M. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia. He now rests at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney.

Two towns in Australia celebrate this great Australian with festivals on the June Long Weekend- Grenfell, where he was born and Gulgong. I'm not sure why Gulgong has the Festival, as I am not aware that Henry Lawson even lived in or visited.Gulgong. Perhaps a reader with more knowledge about this may like to make a comment. There are many web sites with information about Henry Lawson, including http://www.henrylawson.com.au/

Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell 

Grenfell is the birthplace of Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most famous poets born on Grenfell's gold fields in 1867. With Lawson's love of the land and its people he would go on to capture the spirit of Australian life in his poetry and prose.

A monument to Lawson shaded by a sugar gum planted by his daughter Bertha, is located two minutes drive from the town centre and a bust of Lawson is located in the Main Street.

To commemorate Lawson's Birth and his contribution to the arts, Grenfell hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival on the June long weekend. The festival promotes and recognises aspiring Australians in their artistic endeavours.

Entries are received nationally for verse, short story, painting and photography, and performers travel vast distance to participate in the festival year after year.

Highlights of the Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival include the Art and Porcelain Exhibition, Literature and Busking Competitions, Live Bush Poetry Performances, Recitals, Awards Evening, Variety Concert, Drama Society Performance, Patchwork and Quilting display, Street Parade, Fun Run, Car Show, and Wood Chop - there's something for everyone. Bush Poetry at the Lawson Obelisk on Sunday morning with camp fire, damper, and billy tea is a highlight. Many people return year after year for this experience.

Where Pigs Fly - Faster than Bathurst cars and more exciting than the Melbourne cup. Come to Grenfell on the festival weekend and you will experience one of Australia's most unusual events, the Pinnacle Guinea Pig Races. The meeting attracts visitors from all over Australia. Fully catered, make sure you catch this unique Australian sporting event.

For more information see the web site: http://www.grenfell.org.au/henrylawsonfestival/location.html

Henry Lawson Heritage Festival, Gulgong
The township of Gulgong comes alive with the celebration of the life and work of Henry Lawson from 10 – 13 June. This year's schedule is jam-packed from Friday night through to Monday afternoon of the June long weekend.

Highlights include Live Music, the Henry Lawson Heritage Street Parade (1pm Saturday), Henry Lawson Theatre Restaurant and literary awards (6pm Saturday), and the Country Race meet

Other features are the Antique and vintage watch display, old time games, market stalls, art and photography competitions, cutting of the Henry Lawson birthday cake, the Songs of Henry Lawson show, local food fair, performance poetry workshop, theatre restaurant and annual literary award presentations, poets' morning tea, combined church service, and a bus tour of Lawson sites.

I am not quite sure why Gulgong has a Henry Lawson Festival. I do not think he lived their, or even visited the town The only connection I can think of is that Gulgong is an Australian town, and Henry Lawson was a famous Australian. Perhaps a kind reader can make a comment about why Gulgong has a Henry Lawson festival.

For more information and to download the program see the website:- http://www.gulgong.net/event_detail.php?eid=6