Celebrating Regional Voices This World Poetry Day: Whiddon Announces Winners of 2026 Bush Poetry Competition
From heartfelt reflections to creative storytelling, residents shared their voices through poetry, celebrating connection, creativity and lived experience.
16 March 2026
Leading regional aged care provider, Whiddon, is proudly marking World Poetry Day on Saturday, 21st March 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:
- Resident Group: Residents at Whiddon Wee Waa – Still Country at Heart
- Individual Resident: John Knights, Whiddon Wee Waa – The Chairmaker’s Rest
- Home Care: Barbara Rayment, Whiddon Tweed Heads Home Care – Australia
- Employees: Elmira Lawty, Whiddon Narrabri Jessie Hunt – An Ode to the Bush
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. 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. You can read the winning poems here.
For more than 75 years, Whiddon has enriched lives across regional, rural and remote NSW 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.
About Whiddon
Whiddon is an award-winning care provider that aims to inspire every day in its 23 RAC homes, dedicated home care, NDIS support across NSW & SE QLD as well as its 12 Retirement Villages. Its purpose is to enrich people’s lives and make a real difference.
Whiddon has been providing exceptional care to older Australians and people with disabilities across regional, rural, and remote NSW and QLD for more than 75 years.
Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities to remain at the forefront of innovation as it leads the latest thinking, programs, and training around quality of life and ageing.
