The Burdekin Creative Writers Anthology

In February 2017, eleven people climbed the steep stairs at the Burdekin Library in Ayr. Beginners and experienced writers alike, they dreamed of novels, family histories, memoirs, anthologies and children’s stories. They sought a group of like-minded individuals who would inspire and encourage their creativity. From that meeting, Scratchy Scribblers was formed. Over the next six years, the group changed names and meeting locations multiple times. Members and partnerships came and went, but, throughout it all, the goal of the group stayed the same.
Burdekin Creative Writers is a welcoming space for writers to share their words, find encouragement and advice, enhance their literary skills, and have fun creating new things with only a pen and their imagination.
Because of this group, members have entered short story competitions and been published in anthologies. They have created newsletters, judged writing competitions, and learned to interview notable people in the community. They have written dozens of stories and poems and challenged themselves to write things they never would’ve created on their own.
In 2023, the group published their own anthology, an assortment of stories and poems from the members of Burdekin Creative Writers and Burdekin Night Writers. Burdekin Life is proud to share some of the work from this anthology.

The Blue Dress
by Elizabeth Tudehope

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What dress shall I wear when we go to the show?
I have many to choose from, I really don’t know.
Come to my wardrobe and help me to pick
Some are quite old, but they’re still in good nick.
There are plain ones and floral, with long or short sleeves
Straight through or waistbands, ones down to my knees.
Short, long or wrap style, pleats or soft falls
Collars or collarless, I have them all.
Here’s the black one that’s strapless which I wore last year
Remember Joe stumbled and sprayed me with beer?
My bare skin felt sticky for the rest of the day
If I wear it and see Joe, I’ll turn right away.
The red frock is pretty, sexy and bold
But I’m thinking that really I might be too old
To wear such a colour amongst women I know
They’ll gossip about me when I turn to go.
Then I have this green floral. I wear it a lot
Because it fits well and makes me look hot
With my high heels and handbag I could look okay
What do you reckon? What do you say?
Oh! Here is the blue dress you always admired
I suddenly know what to wear, I’m inspired
I’ll accept the invite now I know what to wear
We’ll have fun together if we go as a pair.
You in your white dress, my dearest young girl
And me in my blue dress, white hair in a whirl.
Your beauty and youth will make you shine
As we walk in together, granddaughter of mine.

To find out more about the Burdekin Creative Writers, contact George Venables 0407 105 950.

Writers From the Burdekin Creative Writers and Night Writers Groups will read a selection of their pieces from the Anthology at the Home Hill branch of the Burdekin Library on Wednesday, June 12 from 10:30am.

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