Poet’s Corner to be upgraded

Poet’s Corner is in the northeast corner of Bourke’s Central Park and has memorial stones for local poets and writers – including Henry Lawson, Will Ogilvie, Harry “Breaker” Morant and Francis Humphris Brown. Bourke Council has plans to upgrade the area Photos: TWH

Bourke’s unique link with Australia’s literary past will be given even more significance with a major upgrade to Poet’s Corner in Central Park.

The plaques and plinths that honour Henry Lawson, Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant, Will Ogilvie, Frank Brown and others have always been an attraction to visitors but over the years the area has been degraded.

The importance of these literary giants to Bourke and Bourke’s importance to them will once again be given due respect.

Bourke Shire Council General Manager Ross Earl said a share of tourism funding provided when Bourke Council joined with Cobar and Walgett Councils to form the Far North West Joint Organisation of Councils last year will be made available to upgrade Poet’s Corner.

“Over the years, the plaques have deteriorated and the area has been a bit neglected,” Mr Earl said.

“We have approximately $50,000 to spend on various upgrades in the park, including Poet’s Corner and with input from architect Richard Stutchbury, we will really improve the appearance of Central Park – a place you’d want to stop and enjoy.

“The improvements will also give Bourke’s literary history some prominence. We occupy an important and unique place in Australian folklore because of our links with Henry Lawson, who coined the phrase ‘If you know Bourke, you know Australia’.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.