POET’S Corner has two new faces following a special ceremony to unveil the busts of John Shaw Neilson and William Henry Ogilvie in Penola on Sunday afternoon.
The historic event, hosted by the Penola District Cultural Fund, saw the sculptures unveiled by two well-known identities with significant connections to Penola – John Riddoch Poynter AO and former Penola mayor Robert Seymour.
More than 100 people were in attendance to witness the unveiling of the busts, which was made possible by generous donations from members of the community.
Neilson was the first bust to be unveiled and there was a respectful silence as Mr Poynter addressed the crowd to provide insight into the life of the famous poet.
Before the special reveal, Mr Poynter highlighted one of Mr Neilson’s famous poems about war – “The Soldier is Home” – which revealed his sympathetic insight in some of his poetry.
However, Mr Poynter was quick to point out it was not typical of a poet who “celebrated so much beauty and joy in his life”.
Therefore, he elected to close his address with a limerick, which gave a more positive representation of the famous poet and his connection to the town.
“Neilson wrote ‘The young lady sang at Penola and when she had finished her solo, she was greatly amazed when they said god be praised, she does not belong to Penola’,” Mr Poynter said.
“John Shaw Neilson did and does belong to Penola, as this bust now celebrates.”
When introducing the Ogilvie bust, Mr Seymour labelled him a “prolific scribe”, who had a number of poems published in The Border Watch.
Despite Ogilvie’s short stint in Penola, Mr Seymour highlighted the ongoing connection he had with the region.
“He was well aware of the harsh aspects of the Australian climate … and he was well aware of the hardships of the Neilson family,” Mr Seymour said.
“Back in Scotland, he enjoyed family life … however his life and times in the Australian countryside never evaporated and he supplied volumes of poems to the United Kingdom and Australian publishers.”
Mr Seymour also highlighted how famous bushman RM Williams travelled to Scotland and arranged to have Ogilvie’s work published in the book “Saddle for a Throne”.
Both busts were sculpted by Judith Rolevink, who was honoured to be involved in the project.
“Early photographs of the subjects are scarce and to work out who I am trying to sculpt, I usually read all about their lives,” Ms Rolevink said at the ceremony.
“I hope I have been able to reflect some of their lives in my work.”
Fund chairman Peter Rymill was elated with the ceremony, which was attended by people from interstate and one man from London.
“It makes you realise poetry is not just local history, but it actually goes well beyond the South East,” Mr Rymill said.
“We are just so grateful for the people of Penola and further afield for being part of this.”
Proud of the efforts of the local community to preserve the region’s culture, Mr Rymill hoped the busts would stand the test of time.
“They are world-class works of art and in the past one has often seen visitors reading the Adam Lindsay Gordon plaque, which is great for the tourism of the town,” he said.
“We are lucky to have the poets, but what is equally important is the community pride surrounding that, which has translated into contributions to get these made.
“Penola is a very generous town – if you come up with the right idea, you will always get supported.”
