FROM heartfelt reflections to creative storytelling, residents and staff of Whiddon residential aged care facilities across the north-west shared their voices through poetry, celebrating connection, creativity and lived experience.
Whiddon is proudly marking World Poetry Day today by celebrating creativity and storytelling through its annual Bush Poetry Competition.
Launched across Whiddon’s residential aged care homes, retirement villages and home care services, the competition invites residents and clients to express themselves through poetry, sharing memories, reflections, humour and the stories that have shaped their lives.
Now in its second year, the Whiddon Bush Poetry Competition received a record 52 entries, with participants exploring themes of regional life, community, resilience, nature, personal history and the enduring spirit of the Australian bush.
Whiddon is delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 competition across four categories.
John Knights, 96, from Whiddon Wee Waa, won the Individual Resident category with The Chairmaker’s Rest, reflecting a lifetime of work, family and community.
Resident group Still Country at Heart, also from Whiddon Wee Waa, took out the Resident Group category, capturing shared memories and the spirit of life in a regional town.
Elmira Lawty, from Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt – employee category – impressed judges with An Ode to the Bush, celebrating the beauty of the Australian landscape and community life.
The Resident Group award was won by residents at Whiddon Wee Waa for Still Country at Heart.
The winning entries beautifully captured the deep connection many Australians feel to the land, community and the rhythm of life in regional towns.
Residents and participants were supported throughout the creative process, from brainstorming ideas and sharing memories to drafting and proudly reading their work aloud.
The competition not only celebrates creative expression, but also fosters meaningful connection between residents, staff, families and the wider community.
Whiddon’s chief customer experience officer, Michael Monteleone, said the poetry competition reflects Whiddon’s commitment to creative ageing and relationship-based care.
“Poetry is a powerful way to give voice to lived experience,” Mr Monteleone said.
“Through initiatives like this, we see residents and community members expressing themselves, connecting with others, and finding joy and meaning in creativity.
“This year’s entries were incredibly moving, capturing everything from the beauty of the Australian landscape to personal memories and reflections on life in regional communities.”
The Whiddon Bush Poetry Competition reflects the award-winning aged care provider’s deep commitment to regional connection, creative ageing and community engagement.
For more than 75 years, Whiddon has enriched lives across regional, rural and remote New South Wales and Queensland, and this initiative celebrates bush poetry as a cherished regional tradition while amplifying the voices of those who call the country home.
Through Whiddon’s MyLife relationship-based care model, residents are seen, heard and valued beyond their care needs, with creative pursuits like poetry supporting emotional wellbeing, cognitive engagement and deeper personal connection.
Winning poetry can be read HERE.
