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Jack Drake is a product of the bush who has
lived the life he writes about. He has straightened up at
the end of eight hours on a shearing board and twisted his
handpiece off ready for a well earned beer.
 He
knows the satisfaction of riding a horse he has bred and
broken-in with a saddle he has made himself for a day’s
mustering. Like most bush boys, he could handle shoeing
tools, fencing gear, carpentry and welding equipment, and
turn his hand to any of the hundred and one tasks
necessary for survival in the bush.
Born in rural New Zealand in 1950, he is now a
naturalised Aussie and proud of it. He has loved words and
verse ever since his father gave him a copy of Banjo
Patterson’s verses when he was 10 years old.
Initially he self published books of his own poetry
called "Duck for Cover", "Still Ducking", "Dinkum Poetry"
and "Saga of the Dog", but in 2003, Central Queensland
University Press published his anthology of 86 poems plus
6 short stories entitled "The Cattle Dog's Revenge". He
now has six published books for sale. Two are his own bush
poetry & four are historically researched books, to
date.
His first CD "The Cattle Dog's Revenge" was released in
2001 and his second CD "Dinkum Poetry" was released in
2002. He now has five CD’s.
Jack recites his own works plus other bush favourites on
his CD’s, with fire and gusto to the delight of his
audiences both old and young. His life long experience
with horses, sheep, cattle and all bush things adds a ring
of authenticity to his renditions.
Until August 2001, he ran a horse back, trail riding
business known as “Red Gum Ridge Trail Rides” 18 kms SE of
Stanthorpe high up in the border ranges, which kept his
hand in as a saddler, farrier, horse educator and an
occasional blade shearing demonstrator.
He has recently closed this business due to Doctor’s
orders regarding some old rodeo injuries, to concentrate
on his writing.
His wins in bush poetry competitions include:
- Highly Commended place in th Bronze Swagman Award for
2012 "The Water of the Wells - Beersheba 1917"
- Golden Gumleaf Award 2004 for Best Original Book of
Verse "The Cattle Dog's Revenge"
- His CD “The Cattle Dog’s Revenge” was a finalist in
the 2002 Australian Bush Laureate Awards at Tamworth and
his latest CD “Dinkum Poetry” has been nominated as a
finalist for 2003
- The Original Performance Section, National Bush Poetry
Championship at the Brisbane Ekka 11th August 2001 as
well and wins and placings in many other regional
contests
- The Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush Written Section in
1999, and Performance Section in 2000 and 2001
- The Asthma Foundation of NSW's “Bush Poet of the Year
2001” in Sydney on 30th April 2001
His books and CDs have sold as far afield as Britain,
Canada, New Zealand and the United States as well as all
over Australia. A piece of Jack’s poetry also adorns the
wall of “Café Oz” in Paris, France.
His CDs have had air play on Alan Jones and John Laws
radio programmes as well as ABC National and a host of
regional stations.
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