News

Echuca library hosts vibrant Australian Poetry SLAM ‘25 regional heat

By Jaci Hicken

Jun 25, 2025

Catherine Currey (pictured) and Mohamed Sudi secured spots in the state finals of the nationwide spoken word competition. Photo by Jordan Townrow

Echuca library transformed into a hub of creative expression during the Australian Poetry SLAM '25 Regional Heat on Tuesday, June 24, hosting eight performers sharing their original works.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The event, part of a nationwide spoken word competition, saw poets performing before a live audience, with Mohamed Sudi and Catherine Currey securing spots in the state finals.

Event host and spoken word poet John Englezos praised the intimate atmosphere of the competition.

Event host John Englezos praised the intimate atmosphere of the competition, allowing personal interactions with the audience. The competition featured diverse themes including political commentary, personal experiences and nature-inspired pieces. Photo by Jordan Townrow

“I think having an intimate audience was just really quite lovely. It meant that I could go around and ask people's names, talk to people a bit,” he said.

The competition showcased diverse themes, from political commentary to personal experiences.

“'We had people who were doing pieces that were politically charged, social commentary,” Mr Englezos said.

Yorta Yorta man Neil Morris’ Welcome to Country was described as 'incredible' and 'very soulful and heartfelt’. Photo by Jordan Townrow

“There was someone who was talking about the expectation placed on them by theatre parents.

“Then you had other people who were like, this is my walk down to the Murray River and crunching the leaves and these sorts of things.

“It was a full pallet, and I love that.”

The event began with a Welcome to Country by Yorta Yorta man Neil Morris, whose performance Mr Englezos described as ‘incredible’ and ‘very soulful and heartfelt’.

The competition uses a unique judging system.

“What happens is that in each round, we pick two winners based on the judges' scores. There are five judges, and we take the middle three scores,” Mr Englezos said.

Poets and poetry lovers gathered at Echuca library. Photo by Jordan Townrow

“This is effectively the Olympics of poetry in Australia.”

Winners will proceed to state finals, expected to be held in August or September, with national finals taking place at the Sydney Opera House.

The national champion gains opportunities to represent Australia at prestigious events, often attending festivals, such as the Byron Bay festival and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, Indonesia.

Mr Englezos, the 2015 poetry slam champion and a 2017 Australian representative at the National Poetry Slam Championships in United States, aims to centre his work around hope, identity and wonder, avoiding hyping the crowd.

“I try and hold the crowd gently and it makes my hosting, I think, a little bit more approachable for people who may be new to the scene,” he said.

“That is the kind of flavour that I bring.”