Robert Jackson’s winning entry in The Friends of Kororoit Creek’s inaugural poetry competition began with a gag.
“Every time we go past the viaduct in Brooklyn, we crack the old Marx brothers gag: Vy a duck? I don’t know why a duck – Vy is not a chicken?”
His poem touched the funny bones of many Sunshine residents, who can recall piles of rubbish, goats, frolics in Selwyn Park, the creek, burnt-out cars and shopping trolleys.
Poetry judge Heidi Blackwell said it was the power of Jackson’s writing that won her over.
“It was searing, political, humorous and powerfully written,” she said. In all, Ms Blackwell and co-judge of the primary and secondary school categories, Jessica Gerger, read 120 poetic entries. The five school-aged winners were Grace Li and Anastasia Lokhorst of Sunshine Heights Primary School, Hardit Singh and Oskar Hayes of St Paul’s Primary School and Dylan Bongers of Sunshine College.
Ms Gerger said the 100 entries from students were all “deeply touching”.
“All these little voices expressing their views on the creek – nature, human impact, fun and freedom all playing a big part,” she said.
“Their use of language was very creative and mature … It fills me with hope.”
An exhibition early next year will feature all entries and a Michael Leunig poem dedicated to Sunshine’s very own resident duck, Stuart.
