Winton Business and Tourism Association 2.7

40 Years of History …

The Winton Tourist Promotion Association (W.T.P.A.) was formed in October 1967, and because of the connection to Banjo Paterson and Waltzing Matilda, it was a natural concept to look at ways to encourage the writing of traditional Australian verse that was made so popular by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson, Henry Lawson etc. which is so much a part of our Australian heritage.

At that time, Winton had a number of residents writing and/or interested in Australian Bush Poetry.

In 1970, led by Bruce Simpson, these poets wrote and produced “Matilda Matilda”, a local booklet commemorating the 75th anniversary of A.B.‘Banjo’ Paterson’s writing of “Waltzing Matilda” in the Winton district.
This booklet proved so popular, that the W.T.P.A. decided to run an annual national competition for written Australian Bush Verse, with the prize to be a Silver Swaggie.

Miss Daphne Mayo, a famous Australian sculptress who had completed the famous fibre-cast swagman for the Winton Shire in 1959, was approached to create a swagman statuette to be used as a trophy.

In 1971, Miss Mayo was given permission to proceed with the statuette, but because of the high cost of silver, the swagman was cast in bronze instead, and a tradition was born.

Our most sincere thanks must go to Bruce Forbes Simpson, and his secretary, local bush poet Clover Nolan, for their dedication – not only at the beginning in 1972 – but for some years following during the rapid expansion of interest in what became known world-wide as the Bronze Swagman Award.

The Association:
Although there have been several name changes of the Association from Winton Tourist Promotion Association to Vision Winton to Winton Business and Tourism Association Incorporated (current), the aim has always been to continue the Bronze Swagman award.

The Prize:
The Bronze Swagman itself is a striking 12” high statuette in bronze, mounted on a base. A Winton Opal was also part of the prize for many years, and recently a cash prize was introduced.


The Books:
Each year, since 1972, an anthology has been printed with the winning verse, the runner-up poem, as well as a selection of various entries, called the Bronze Swagman Book of Bush Verse.

We would like to acknowledge the 40 years of support by the following people, organisations and companies:

Financial Assistance:
Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd
The Literature Board of the Australian Council for the Arts
Winton Lions Club
Arts Division, Department of the Premier, Economic and Trade Dept
Eddie Hackman
Corfield and Fitzmaurice
Winton Shire Council

The Printers:
City Printing Works, Rockhampton
SX Printing, Toowoomba
Paradise Colour, Toowoomba
Telfer Print, Toowoomba
Cracker Print and Paper, Toowoomba
Hamilton Printers, Charters Towers

Editors and Illustrators:
Mrs Sally Ogg, Ayrshire Downs, Winton
Mr Len R. Cook, Rockhampton
Mrs Barbara Hancock, Winton
D. Codd and Tracy Roche
Mrs Carmel Randle, Preston
Mrs Louise Dean, Winton

Photographers:
Mr Peter Knowles, Winton
Mr Robert McQueen, Winton
Mrs Louise Dean, Winton

Secretary/Organisers:
Mrs Clover Nolan 1971 – 1978
Mrs Molly Hickson 1979 – 1982
Mrs Mary Nowland 1983 – 1999
Mrs Annita Frangos 2000 – 2001
Mrs Louise Dean 2002 – current
The Volunteers:
Countless volunteers over the 40 years have donated their time and effort without thought of remuneration and recognition to ensure that the Bronze Swagman award achieved this anniversary…. THANK YOU to everyone!

Interesting facts:
• 18,471 entries have been received
• In 1995, the Bronze Swagman was dipped in gold to celebrate the centenary of Waltzing Matilda
• The Bronze swagman Award now has its own website:
www.bronzeswagman.info
• There have been 5 multiple winners –
Mr Bruce Simpson, Winton, Qld – 1972, 1975
Mrs Veronica Weal, Herberton, Qld – 1987, 2001, 2005, 2010
Mrs Carmel Randle, Preston, Qld – 1996, 1999
Mr Bob Magor, Myponga, SA – 1997, 2000
Mr Graham Fredriksen, Kilcoy, Qld – 1998, 2002, 2006