Australian Haiku Society

Conclusion of Illawong Haiku Group

The Illawong Haiku Group began as an aspiration 9 years ago to establish a haiku group in the southern area of Sydney. I have been Group Convenor since the beginning until now. We had an open door policy and some people came and went while others stayed. I am grateful to those who stayed. Since our last meeting I expressed my wish to relinquish my position due to changing circumstances. Following further consultation with members it was decided to disband and continue to enjoy our mutual love of haiku in a different way.

Mann Library’s Daily Haiku featured author for June: Simon Hanson

The Mann Library of Cornell University in the US is featuring one of Simon’s haiku on their Daily Haiku website each day for the month of June.

Paperbark Haiku Group Report – Autumn 2026

The Paperbark Autumn ginko was held on Wednesday 13^th May at the Perth City Farm, a half hectare site devoted to providing information and education to the people of Perth about the protection and regeneration of the natural environment.

Established on a former industrial site in East Perth, this once polluted site has been rehabilitated by volunteers, and is now a welcoming oasis in the busy city.

Members’ News June 2026

Welcome to the third issue of Australian Haiku Society Members’ News for 2026. In this edition Leanne reflects on dogs and other animals as subjects of haiku, there are links to a review of The Routledge Global Haiku Reader and to the latest Fringe Myrtles Report in which Rob Scott discusses Grant Caldwell’s presentation of fueki ryūko.

Upcoming Gadigal Ginkō for Sydney poets: Saturday 20th June

The next Gadigal Ginkō will take place on Saturday 20th June, 2026 from 10am. For this winter gathering we will meet at the State Library, which will provide options for both indoor and outdoor ginkō. To join with other Sydney haiku poets for this event, please register via the form on my Gadigal Ginko page. There you’ll find an outline of what’s involved in the ginkō, as well as links to reports of previous ginkō.

Leanne Mumford
Convenor, Gadigal Ginko

Report on the Fringe Myrtles Meeting May, 2026

For our latest meeting, we were treated to a presentation by Grant Caldwell on the principle of fueki ryūkō in the writing of haiku. It was an illuminating presentation that provoked much thought and discussion among the gathered members. Prior to the meeting, Grant circulated some reading material to help prepare the group. Present at the meeting were: Grant Caldwell, Rodney Williams, Anna Fern, Maurice McNamara, Laura DeBernardi, Helen Williams, Liv Saint-James, Bee Tenni, Di Cousens, Thomas Landgraf, Louise Hopewell, Marisa Fazio, Rob Scott.

Submissions for Edition 6 of ‘Catchment – Poetry of Place’ close on 21 May!

Australian poets working in Japanese verse forms are encouraged to offer up to five (5) stand-alone tanka or a string which is four (4) pieces in length.
Up to three (3) free-verse poems would also be welcome, no longer than 30 lines.

Haiku Society of America contests opening 1 June 2026

The submission window for the Haiku Society of America haiku, senryu, and haibun contests will be June 1-30, 2026. The contest is open to the public. First Prize is $200; Second Prize, $150; Third Prize, $100. The winning poems will be published in Frogpond and on the HSA website. All rights revert to authors on publication. More information at https://www.hsa-haiku.org/hsa-contests.htm

Submitted by Sarah Paris, HSA 2nd Vice President