In August of this year we announced a competition for students at the schools involved in our Books to the North program to write their own poems with the theme of ‘my home’. Many of the students from these schools responded with amazing pieces of work, vividly describing the places they call home!
Of all the great entries, we have put together the list of winners – we hope you enjoy them as much as we did. A deep thank you to everyone who wrote an entry for the competition!
FIRST PRIZE WINNER – Gija Country Rap
Senior Class, Purnululu Independent School
SECOND PRIZE WINNER - My Belonging
Darnell Sing
Belyuen, my home
I’m coming back to you
When my weeks hit the gravel road it feels like I belong.
My place is calling me, turquoise, sparkly water shining into my eyes.
The waves crashing on the sand, goosebumps up my arms is a good sign.
Red and orange sunset by the seaside, seagulls gliding over my head.
The sea breeze blowing into my nose, smelling the saltwater.
I miss my country
My skin, my dreaming, my identity,
My Belonging!
Runners-up
Warmun
Bella
Yo yo yo
Warmun is a place where people get along.
Everyday we get up and go to school.
We learn and have fun with my brothers and sisters.
Year, year, year,
We love playing footy and basketball.
We go out on country,
Out the back track.
We unpack the car,
We look for bush tucker.
When we finish we go for a swim,
It is beautiful, it is cold,
I never want to get out.
After we have a feed,
We pack up the car and head back home.
Listen up my family!
Stop fighting and stop the drinking.
think about your kids and old people.
Look after your people, love and take care of them.
And think about your land, we we can get together forever,
everyday and night.
I love my people, do you too?
Glorious Home
Marcus White
Mum’s cooking smelling good
Playing games outside
Watching TV
Laughter exploding my brain
Memories flashing in my head
Sun fading
Moon creeping upwards
Bagot community keeping us safe
Cold in the night
Hot in the morning
Trees are whistling
Jets are flying in the air like a hawk
Smell of sweetness
Eyes are sprinkling with wonder
Grass is soft, dogs barking
Glorious home!
My Home
Marius Frith
Kalkarindji is my home.
Kalkarindji has red sand big hills and a big bridge.
Kalkarindji feels calm and safe.
Kalkarindji is fun I play with friends.
We go swimming and fishing.
Out there we speak Gurindji, we follow old law, we do ceremony.
The old people teach us right way the culture is very strong for the people.
In Kalkarindji we celebrate Freedom Day.
When we got out land back our people walked off.
They walked from the hills across the bridge down the river.
When they got to the river the old people said we stop here.
We will stay here forever.
Mparntwe
Anita Cooper-Palmer
Big hills in the distance
How wind blowing
Feeling relaxed
Humongous rocks like alien ships
Bush talking
Better than home
The red and orange sand
Burning on my feet
Bindi-Eye prickles
Stinging me
Itchy
Freezing at night
Shivering in blankets
Sun rise like a new world beginning
Mparntwe (Alice Springs)