Leanne Mumford – Page 4 – Australian Haiku Society

December 2024 Members’ News

President’s Message

Since the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1873, the New year is counted as a brief season on its own In Japanese Saijiki. The New Year period in Japan is a time for family gatherings with festive meals over several days. There are many traditions and observances that appear as kigo, including decorations, cards, gifts, games and special food, as well as numerous kigo with the first of something, such as first sunrise. While we may not follow kigo in our Australian haiku, we do write poems that reflect the festive season of family and social gatherings, celebratory meals and other traditions, as well as marking new beginnings and reflecting on the past year.

Featured Haiku – Under the Same Moon (Australian Haiku Anthology)

This week’s featured poet from ‘Under the Same Moon’, the Fourth Australian Haiku Anthology, is Sydney-based poet and current president of the Australian Haiku Society, Leanne Mumford.

Continue reading “Featured Haiku – Under the Same Moon (Australian Haiku Anthology)”

Report on Gadigal Ginko, Spring 2024

Ten haiku poets gathered on the morning of 21st October at the Palace Garden Gate of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. A passing light shower fell on a few of us while we waited for others to arrive, but the changeable weather didn’t prevent us from each strolling in the garden on our individual ginko. We re-convened in the Rose Garden pavilion to share some of our draft poems, where a curious sacred ibis joined us momentarily. Poems reflected the many exotic plants blooming at this time of the year and the insects visiting them, as well as other kinds of moments.

Next Gadigal Ginko in Sydney: 10am 21st October, 2024

The next Gadigal Ginko in Sydney will take place on Monday 21st October, from 10am, in the Royal Botanic Garden. Contemporary haiku poets of all levels of experience are invited to join the gathering. To register and receive details of the exact meeting point, please visit the Gadigal Ginko web page.

Leanne Mumford
Convenor, Gadigal Ginko

September 2024 News

President’s Message

Spring has arrived in Sydney, with cherry blossoms on full display last month at Auburn Botanical Gardens, where a small group of poets from all over the city gathered to read beside a shady billabong.

Ginko Haiku Walk – Sydney Royal Botanic Garden, 31st August

Red Room Poetry, in partnership with Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, is offering a Ginko Walk opportunity next Saturday 31st August 2024 as part of ‘Poetry Month’. There is a cost of $50. The Ginko Walk will be lead by award-winning poets Eileen Chong and Lulu Houdini. Further details and booking at Red Room Poetry.

Registrations Closing Soon for Haiku Down Under 2024

Registrations for Haiku Down Under are free and close on August 11.

The Haiku Down Under weekend, taking place online via Zoom from Friday to Sunday, August 16-18, will provide a unique occasion to explore haiku and related forms in depth, and to connect with fellow haiku poets in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Report on 6th Gadigal Ginko – Winter 2024

A small group gathered in historic Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown, Sydney, on Saturday 13th July: Jane Gibian, Vanessa Proctor, Carol Reynolds, Susan Grant, Zina Ioannou and Leanne Mumford. Surrounded by Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, its tall trees and remnant native grass help make the cemetery a welcome place for quiet recreation in the inner city.