Pigeon Race Poetry In Motion
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday July 30, 2008
EIGHT Mt Ousley thoroughbred pigeons are in training ahead of Sunday's inaugural Pigeon Poetry race from Bald Hill to Mt Ousley.
The pigeons, owned and trained by national champion fanciers Graham and June Davison, will each have a poem strapped to their leg before taking off at midday.Acclaimed Australian poet Robert Adamson's piece, My Grandfather's Ice Pigeons will be teamed with a pigeon called The Baron, while other avian racers include Smokey (and poet Adam Quan), Jimbala (Ivy Ireland) and Old Man Time (Alan Gould). Mt Ousley's Mr Davison said the pigeons had been training daily in preparation.He said the only problem the pigeons may encounter during Sunday's race was predators such as peregrine falcons."Bald Hill is a renowned spot for the falcon, so there is a little bit of a worry there," Mr Davison said."But they can handle the weather unless there is really torrential rain."The event was designed by poetry promoter The Red Room Company as a way of combining art and sport and broadening poetry's audience.Punters can visit www.pigeonpoetry.com.au, to see the poems, check the form guide and place a free bet.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury