Upcoming Events
Calanthe’s first guest poet for 2026: NICOLE MELANSON
Friday 06 February 2026 at Zamia Theatre, Tamborine Mountain
Nicole Melanson has been awarded Australia Council grants in both poetry and fiction and was shortlisted for the 2021 Island Nonfiction Prize. Her writing is widely anthologised and published everywhere from Meanjin to Mississippi Review. A native Bostonian and former Sydneysider, Nicole now lives in Brisbane, where she mentors emerging writers with disabilities and runs WordMothers, supporting women’s work in the literary arts worldwide. Find her at www.nicolemelanson.com and www.wordmothers.com
Calanthe Press will be publishing Nicole's latest work, Siren, in April this year so watch this space for launch details in a few weeks.
But for this event:
THE WHEN
Friday 6th February 6.30 PM for a 7.00 PM start
THE WHERE
Zamia Theatre
22 Main St, Tamborine Mountain
Blackboard Poets
There will be a blackboard poet section for those who would like to share a poem.
THE COST
There is no specific cost, but we ask for a donation at entry. These monies go to a contribution to the poet, the musicians, the hire of the space and our continuing ability to support poetry and poets by our annual competition, guest poet events and our publication of new poetry by Calanthe Press.
BUT, and this is always the case, if you aren't flush this month, please, please, please do not let that stop your coming to hear Nicole's fine work. Come and enjoy poetry.
WHAT TO BRING
* Money for donation entry, the raffle, a cuppa or an ice cream, and for books.
(We do have a card reader if you don't have cash, though who would refuse cash.)
*It's BYO nibbles and tipple. All easy as you'll be sitting at tables.
* A poem for Blackboard Poets. (One long-ish one or two short-ish ones is the recommendation.)
RSVP:
to this email address: calanthecollective@gmail.com
Poets@Yuulong (Maddy Dale)
6:00pm arrival for 6:30pm start
Private home, outdoors, Tamborine Mountain
Address supplied upon booking
Wet weather alternative will be notified (if appropriate)
Entry by donation at gate
Bookings essential, book at calanthecollective@gmail.com (enquiries Geoff Cartwright, 0416 217 005)
BYO drinks, glasses and snacks (no catering available)
Ideally, bring a folding chair or a picnic rug
Maddy’s feeling for the natural world is palpable in every word she writes, which hit their target so well. Moving, surprising and very accessible, her poetry is both haunting and everyday in its themes and style. Now Brisbane-based, Maddy spent her formative years on Tamborine Mountain. She holds First Class Honors and a Masters of Philosophy from the University of Queensland, where she also tutors in creative writing. Her poetry manuscript Eleven Portraits of Drowning has been shortlisted from the Dorothy Hewett Award and the Thomas Shapcott Award.
Poets' Morning (Alice MacKinnon)
Where: Centre for Regenerative Arts, 6-8 Knoll Rd, Tamborine Mountain
Price: Entry by donation at door
Bookings essential, book at: https://events.humanitix.com/poets-morning (enquiries Geoff Cartwright, 0416 217 005)
BYO coffee and brunch (no catering facilities available)
Compere: Margy Rose
Music: Bella Acapella and others
A surfer, diver and bushwalker, Beechmont resident Alice Iona MacKinnon (aka Sally MacKinnon) has been crafting poetry that tells stories: of landscape, the body, tragedy, trauma, hope. As Guest Poet she’ll take us on a journey through her recent work. Blackboard poets are encouraged to choose poems loosely relating to Alice’s overall themes.
Part of a weekend-long event ‘In Consideration of Trees’, showcasing the visual artwork of Bronwyn Davies.