When the 2019 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival kicks off in February, wordsmiths off all backgrounds and ages will have the chance to demonstrate their skills.

School students, novices and experienced poets are encouraged to enter the poetry competition held in association with the festival, with prizes awarded across several categories.

This year, in addition to the prizes for the winners of each section, there will be a trophy for an outstanding local competitor.

Competition organiser Len Banks said entries are now coming in, but there is a shortage of local talent in the line-up so far. 

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He said the Banjo Paterson festival is a chance to celebrate a great poet and Australian customs.

“The Festival running from 17 to 24 February 2019, celebrates the birth in Orange of our most famous Australian poet as well as presenting opportunities for the community to enjoy good old Australian culture along with the treasures that Orange has to offer,” Mr Banks said.

He said the poems can be about (almost) anything.

“This unique competition is for poets to recite their own original poem, which may be on any topic as long as it can safely be described as good family entertainment,” Mr Banks said.

The Primary School Prize will be in memory of Helen Locke, who passed away in 2016 after dedicating years to school performances and eisteddfods. 

Details of the events running throughout the festival have now been released, which includes signature events such as the Banjo Birthday Breakfast and Banjo Birthday Poet’s Brunch at Yeoval on February 17, the night market and Banjo Poetry Brawl on February 22 and Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival at Molong on February 23 and Emmaville Family Market Day on February 24.

All the rules and the entry form for the poetry competition are available at the Banjo Paterson Festival website. Entries close February 13.