Forgotten Heroes & Hellraisers
Historically researched stories about some of the good and naughty early Australian characters.
Jack Drake – Australian Bush Poet
Fair dinkum Australian bush poetry written in the mountains near Stanthorpe, and performed around Australia and New Zealand. Stories of horses, cattle droves, as well as carefully researched, historicial accounts and facts of our early Australian history – told in rhyme and rich bush verse.
Including the classic bush poem The Cattle Dog’s Revenge.
Last Book
G’day and welcome to Jack’s bush poetry
You’ve logged on to some fair dinkum Australian bush poetry entertainment written and produced in the mountains near Stanthorpe in south-east Queensland. After years as a horseman, shearer, stockman, rodeo competitor and outback showman, Jack told his stories in verse via his CDs and books.
Born in rural New Zealand in 1950 and later a proud naturalised Aussie, Jack was a product of the bush who lived the life he wrote about.
One of his best known poems, The Cattle Dog's Revenge was published by Central Queensland University Press in 2003, and he has a total of six published books, alongside CDs that feature both his own work and the classics, recited with fire and gusto.
Read more about JackBush Poetry Books & CDs
Books
Collections of bush poetry including Duck for Cover, Still Ducking, Dinkum Poetry, Saga of the Dog and The Cattle Dog’s Revenge.
View all booksCDs
Jack’s recordings feature his own work plus classic bush ballads, delivered with the authenticity of a life spent with horses, sheep, cattle and the people of the outback.
Browse CDsIn Memory of Jack Drake
It is with deep sorrow that we share Jack passed away peacefully in his sleep at 3am on Monday 9 December 2024.
He gave his final bush poetry performance at the 2024 Apple and Grape Festival in March. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the many audiences who loved his work.
“The Cattle Dog's Revenge. That is an Aussie classic.”
Dalby, Qld