Celebrated Australian poet, Rupert McCall OAM will complete a rural and regional book launch of his long awaited ‘Best Of’ anthology – GOLDEN SOIL – in Goondiwindi on Friday 29 November.
The Goondiwindi Race Club and the local PCYC branch had previously prepared for a wonderful nights entertainment – RUPERT ON THE MACINTYRE at the PCYC Riverside Centre thanks to the support of the Port of Brisbane. Once Rupert confirmed the National Book Launch in Brisbane one week earlier, plans where extended to include a Rural & Regional Book Launch in Goondiwindi.
Rupert has long had an affinity with Rural Australia and in particular Rural Queensland and the recently named Queensland’s Most Liveable Regional town; Goondiwindi, is the perfect venue to stage such an event.
“I have fond memories of previous visits to Goondiwindi following a guest appearance at the Goondiwindi Young Writers event and attending Rugby events and hearing the many stories of the Goondiwindi Emus,” Rupert said when confirming the event.
Tickets will be $15 for the Rupert on the Macintyre night or a two-course dinner package is also available at $50 per person and tickets are available on line at www.trybooking.com/561117
The book, Golden Soil will feature Rupert’s finest work over a span of 27 years, including poems written and recited between 1992 and 2019 spearheaded by his nationally renowned masterpiece Green and Gold Malaria. Others that make the best 32 list include odes to Johnathan Thurston, Roger Federer, Rod Laver, Steve Irwin, Winx, Shane Warne, Black Caviar, Jock McHale, David Boon, the Wallabies, the Ashes, Backyard Cricket and the Melbourne Cup!
It will also include his critically acclaimed tribute to the firefighters of 9/11, the soldiers of Afghanistan and Australia’s Anzac Centenary. Golden Soil will be a body of work that entrenches Rupert McCall into the literary landscape of the land down under.
The book will be available on the night in Goondiwindi and Rupert will be on hand to autograph this ideal Christmas gift.
The night is all part of a wonderful weekend, which commences on the Friday night with the Golden Soil Book Launch and continues into Saturday for the Annual Bush to Port Race Day and Christmas Party at Gunsynd Park. Rupert and wife Kate will be guests of the Port of Brisbane on the Saturday at Gunsynd Park for the annual Bush to Port Race Day.
A number of Christmas parties have been confirmed already for the Raceday and following the success of the recent Goondiwindi Cup and last year’s Bush to Port Raceday, it is sure to be another gala event with live music after the last.
Group enquiries should be directed to Cutter Hayes on 0428 987522.
The party moves afterwards to a massive family Christmas night and fireworks display at the Goondiwindi Golf Club after the races.
Rupert and his family will say farewell to Goondiwindi with breakfast at Oshea’s Royal Hotel on Sunday morning and is keen to visit the Gunsynd Museum.
It is a weekend not to be missed, and despite the ongoing drought, a large crowd is anticipated at all events.
Graeme Scheu
