Society Announcements – Australian Haiku Society

Results of the ‘Spring Flowers’ contest, 24 August 2026

A big thank you to everyone who entered the Australian Haiku Society’s “Spring Flowers” haiku contest in August. This was the first time we conducted a contest to correspond with the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival. The contest was open to haiku poets around Australia and attracted 54 entries, with all states and the ACT represented (ACT: 3, NSW: 23, QLD: 5, SA: 2, TAS: 6, VIC:11, WA: 4). Poets who entered were a mix of established and less experienced poets, including at least nine children – seven from one school and two siblings.

Reminder – ‘Spring Flowers’ contest closing 17th August

Australian poets are reminded that the ‘Spring Flowers’ themed haiku contest is closing soon. You’ll need to submit your poem by 5pm AEST on Monday 17th August. See the previous post for further details of the contest and the entry form you’ll need to use.

‘Spring Flowers’ Haiku Contest for Australian Poets now closed

In the lead up to the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival at Auburn Botanic Gardens, the Australian Haiku Society is running a haiku contest with the theme of ‘Spring Flowers’. We invite Australian poets to submit one haiku on this theme using the form below. Submissions closed at 5pm AEST on Monday 17th August.

Rare Opportunity

Have ever you benefitted from the support and encouragement of other haiku poets, perhaps when you were new to haiku? Would you like to pay some of that kindness forward while connecting with many other poets and helping to shape the future of the Australian Haiku Society offers? What is this rare opportunity?

Thank you, Alison

The Australian Haiku Society Executive Committee would like to thank Alison Rogers for her hard work as Secretary from April 2024 until recently. Unfortunately, for personal reasons she had to relinquish this role before the end of her term. No doubt many haiku group leaders and others in the Australian and broader haiku communities are similarly grateful for her volunteer service and would join us in wishing Alison all the best for the future.

AHS 2025 Autumn Equinox Kukai Results

On International Haiku Poetry Day I’m pleased to announce the five winners of our 2025 Autumn Equinox Kukai with the theme of ‘Autumn Flowers’. Thanks to all the participants and congratulations to the winners!

In Memoriam – Cynthia Rowe

It is my sad duty to inform the Australian and worldwide haiku community of the death of Cynthia Rowe on 6th April at the age of 86. Cynthia succeeded Beverley George to the position of President of the Australian Haiku Society in 2011, and served until Vanessa Proctor took over in 2016. Cynthia was also the editor of the Haiku Xpressions section of FreeXpresSion Magazine for many years. AHS will be publishing a full tribute in recognition of Cynthia’s many contributions to the haiku community. For the time being, with the family’s permission, we would like to let everyone know about the two memorial services that have been organised to honour and celebrate Cynthia’s life.
– In Sydney at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Darling Point on 23rd April 2025 at 12.00pm
– In Melbourne at St John’s Anglican Church, Toorak on 30th April 2025 at 11.00am
There will be a celebration of life held after each service.
Leanne Mumford
President, Australian Haiku Society

From the new President

Haiku’s origins are social. The ‘hokku’ provided the starting point of collaborative linked poetry known as ‘renga’. While our haiku often arise from moments of solo observation and quiet reflection, writing of haiku also flourishes through interaction with other poets, whether reading or hearing their work, engaging in workshopping by giving and receiving constructive criticism, or discussing poems and techniques. International Haiku Poetry Day on 17th April encourages connection with fellow haiku poets, from simply sharing our enjoyment of the form to allowing ourselves to be challenged to experiment with different approaches. I know that many poets have planned activities to mark the occasion in various ways, whether on the day or close to it.