Meet A Local: John Bartlett, Poet/Gardener

by Renée Otmar

The SurfCoast/Otways region is the natural home of artists and artisans alike, from musicians, painters and sculptors to wood crafters, winemakers and world-class chefs. One of the region’s best-kept secrets is a vibrant literary community of writers and poets. I spoke with John Bartlett about finding solitude and inspiration in our spectacular natural environment. Tell us a little about yourself – what do you do? Do you have a job title? I’ve had many job titles throughout my life, from Catholic priest and kitchen hand to writing tutor and film extra, but now, being semi-retired, the label I’m comfortable with is: ‘Poet/Gardener’. I’d be happy with that on my tombstone.

fiction pieces that were later published in my first book, A Tiny and Brilliant Light. And one thing led to another as I gained confidence. I also completed an undergraduate degree and a Master of Arts at Deakin University, then tutored writing students there for a number of years. What about your poetry? I had always felt that poetry was too difficult. I couldn’t get my head around it. But about 5 years ago I did a poetry writing course with Writers Victoria in Melbourne, and that got me started. What are the best things about being a writer and poet? I’ve always worked best being semi-independent and working autonomously. As a freelance writer that’s the perfect situation, working in a casual, You are so modest! I know you as a writer, undisciplined way – unless of course there poet, radio host, interviewer and tutor. are deadlines. I work in fits and starts Are you still doing those things? but being creative means I never really Not so much now that I am focusing on my poetry (and the garden). Still tutoring a bit. I did do a couple of public interviews for the Geelong Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival late It feels like this is what I am meant to do. Words have always been my passion … switch off. I’m always thinking about the most appropriate word or how to move forward in a piece of writing. Some of my best writing comes from walking on the beach. Are there any down sides? last year. The principal down side is never being I’ve read somewhere that all the world’s paid according to the number of hours greatest thinkers do poetry – by writing or you work. There’s no money in this sort reading it. Do you think of yourself in of work. Also, it can be a bit lonely working in that way? isolation without having colleagues to interact with. I guess I’m an accidental thinker, not setting out to have So, why do it? lofty thoughts but curious about life, about people’s behaviour and always fascinated by the world and people. I can’t help it – the satisfaction in the process, I guess. It feels like this is what I am meant to do. Words have How did you get started? always been my passion … how they fit together, the In 2000, I decided the one thing I’d always wanted to do was to write, and so I enrolled in the Professional Writing connections, the funny things about language. And poetry brings it all together. & Editing Diploma at the Gordon Institute in Geelong. I The same with gardening – if I didn’t have a garden I started to be published while still a student – with articles would feel anxious. in the Age, the Australian, the Canberra Times; all non- I hear you’re celebrating? Yes, I was recently awarded the Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize. That was a lovely surprise and, even better, a friend of mine, another Geelong poet, was also shortlisted. What are your current projects? My eighth book, Awake at 3am, a full collection of my poetry, will soon be published by Ginninderra Press. In the background I’m writing new poetry, too. I’ve

also recently started a poetry podcast on my website, Beyond the Estuary; weekly at the moment, and I hope to continue these.

And there is always something on the go in the garden. It’s a garden in the sand dunes, by the sea, and it’s finally coming together, after more than twenty years of trying – unsuccessfully – to control it. I think I am finally coming to terms with it. One part is quite overgrown, so the current project is to tackle that. Are you involved in the local community in any way? I’m just coming to the end of a two-year stint as President of SurfCoast U3A (University of the Third Age), based in Torquay. I’ve been convening a writing group with U3A for about six years and hope to continue. I’m also a member of Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees. And I’ve just finished five years on the advisory committee for the Geelong Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival, which is held each November.

How long have you lived on the Surf Coast? Just twenty-four years. What drew you to this place? Like my partner, I’ve always felt a spiritual connection to the sea, ever since childhood holidays at Port Elliott in South Australia, and Breamlea is the perfect location: small, quiet and cut off from rampant development. What’s it like living on a sand dune? Apart from being exposed to the roaring, semi-permanent south-west winds, you feel very close to nature, waterbirds … and the beach is about a two-minute walk. Watching the swans, pelicans, ducks, cormorants, egrets and herons is a bit like spying on the neighbours. Does living at Breamlea feature in your work? Yes, I can’t help but be affected by living so close to nature without many of the distractions of modern living. You can’t live here without eyes wide open to the seasons, to the sea, the tides, the birds. I think all my work has been affected by this presence. What are your favourite local haunts? In summer particularly, I love walking through the sand dunes behind the beach, and it’s as if the land has been untouched by human influence. There are middens, occasional echidnas crossing your path and often a mob of kangaroos nearby. And always just the sound of birds and the sea. On the other side, I love haunting the local coffee shops and catching up with people I know or recognise by face if not by name. My favourite café is Mejavos in Torquay – the coffee is good and the people are really friendly. I do like the isolation, but I need the connection with people, too. Do you have a favourite local author or poet? There are so many! Mike Smith, who writes young adult fiction; Miranda Luby writes short stories and non-fiction; Favel Parrett, whose prose reads like poetry. Then there are the local poets: Maria Takolander, Bernard Ryan, Jo Langdon, Rosemary Blake… John Bartlett’s new collection of poetry, Awake at 3am, is due to published in November 2020.