A well known Upper Murray bush poet and author who has embraced a relatively new genre – the Poetry Slam – has progressed to the Victorian state final.

Jan Lewis and Asha Romero were selected to advance to the final after competing in the Towong Shire heat on Saturday at Tallangatta, which was hosted by poet Andrew Cox. A poetry slam is distinct from traditional poetry readings in its competitive nature and focus on performance. The poets get two minutes to impress a panel of five judges, randomly chosen from the audience, with their original ideas in a form of spell casting called Slamming Poetry.

Judges hold up score cards using a 1-10 scale to one decimal place, with 10 being the highest. Of the five scores for each poet, only the middle three scores are counted.

Jan has been writing and performing bush poetry since arriving in the Upper Murray in 1988 and co-ordinating the poetry and bush music events at the Man from Snowy River Festival since 1997.

She is also Secretary of the Victorian Bush Poetry & Music Association and represents it on the Australian Bush Poets Association.

Jan’s winning entry:-

‘Committee’

Don’t invite me on your committee as refusal will often offend,

I’ve had committees up to my neck, they’re driving me round the bend.

In the past, I’ve been elected while I made a quick dash to the loo!

Looking around, it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what you’re likely to do.

No, I don’t want to be Chairperson, responsible for the whole lot,

‘Won’t have to do much.’ That’s a big laugh! Chairperson material I’m not.

A Secretary’s desperately needed? I can hardly write my own name, My spelling and grammar are hopeless.

Assistant? Afraid my answer’s the same. The Treasurer’s also resigning?

Hmm, that’s a very sad state of affairs, Who’ll balance your budget and cheque book? I dunno! Tell someone who cares.

I’m sorry, of course your club is important but everyone’s mother I’m not,

I am so community minded, but I’m done with doing the lot.

I’m sick of doing the thinking, delegating the working bee stuff, I tell you,

I’m worn out and tired and I’ve just about had enough.

I’ve done time in all those positions. Not this year, for even a day,

Someone else can wash all the dishes and dry ‘em and put ‘em away.

There’re plenty of others to choose from, get them to answer your call,

Some other mug to muck out the toilets, cook barbies and mop up the hall.

I could change my mind in the future but for now, I’ll put up with your stares, I just want to go to one event where I don’t have to stack the chairs! 
c: Jan Lewis 2000

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 14 August 2025.