Nerelie Teese - Writer & Poet

10/28/2025

It was so lovely listening to the rain on the roof last night, I could hardly sleep.

And this morning, 37mms in the gauge, bringing my 24 hour total to 67mms.

Looking out over my nice, fresh backyard this morning, I wondered if presenting one of my new poems, written on my recent road trip had any connection with the rain ... No. Probably not.

When you're heading into Goondiwindi from the north, you'll cross Serpentine Lagoon and there's often pelicans on the western side of the bridge. By the time I'd ordered my coffee at the lovely coffee shop just before the centre of town, this was ready to go onto the page - enjoy:

Serpentine Lagoon

The pelicans are gathering at Serpentine Lagoon
signaling the rain could be coming soon

Light rain to lay the dust, and signal to the bank we might not be going bust
The rain we really long for, the rain we really need
The rain to soothe the land, good rain to grow the feed
Good rain to grow the hopes and dreams of the people of this land
Good rain to build the present, to give the future a good hand
Good rain to fill the gullies, dams and the water tanks
Good rain that draws eyes heavenwards as we give our thanks

Oh, we see the pelicans are gathering at Serpentine Lagoon
And we pray they are a signal that good rain is coming soon

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10/26/2025

At this morning's Poet's Breakfast, I was told after the "Bunyip Bend" poem, some audience members expected this little bloke to ask his dad if they could go looking for the bunyip 🥰

My sincere thanks to Turning Canungra Pink organisers, Julie, Chris and countless others, for a casual, enjoyable brekky event where people could join in - you should have heard the crow calls 😂- share favourite or brand-new original poetry, and just have time together to yarn and cement friendships.

What a lovely morning and what a wonderful community event.

Thanks for coming and being part of it, everyone.

10/25/2025

Canungra Campfest's Bush Poets' Breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:00.

Hoping to see you there. And hoping you'll take part in the Bush Poets' Walk-Up to share your original work or your favourite Aussie Bush Poetry with a group of supportive poetry enthusiasts.

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10/25/2025

Had a great Friday morning as guest speaker discussing fiction writing with the Logan Writers' Group at Logan Central Library - a very keen and talented group of writers.

Thanks so much for inviting me to be part of your morning.

Happy writing everyone!

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10/23/2025

We all know I'm a sensitive little soul🤣but if one more millennium woke 'snag' calls me "Darling" when I'm ordering a drink ... I'll recite my latest piece of pi**ed off poetry at him!

And here's a taste of what he'll get ...

“Darling”

I could feel my hackles rising
and my fiery eyes did glow
When I was addressed as “Darling”
by some bloke I do not know

And how did I respond
when it’s a public place I’m in
and I’m addressed as “Darling"?
Well, I’d like to shred his skin

His eyes were not respectful
and his voice was not polite
when he called me “Darling”
but I reined my rage in tight

There's another 6 stanzas (yep, I was on a roll because this was the second time it's happened in just over a month) but, as I said, this is just a taste 😂

And here's the thing, so riled was I that this little ditty was written while waiting to go into QPAC for Pretty Woman. Reckon I've now reached COW-age: Cranky Old Woman age 😂

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10/19/2025

I'm counting down to Sunday morning's Bush Poets Breakfast at the fantastic Turning Canungra Pink weekend.

If you're anywhere near Canungra this coming weekend, then why not come along?

I'm working on a great Brekky Program, about an hour or so of Aussie Bush Poetry - with some of my new work that's not been heard (or presented) before. Here's a hint: get your crow calls ready 🙂

And ... I'm eager to see and hear the Walk-Up Poets presenting their work - whether it's their original poetry or from their favourite poets.

Hoping to see you there and hoping you'll be a part of the Bush Poet Breakfast.

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10/19/2025

This Friday I'm the visiting author for the Logan Writers Group at Logan Central Library where I'll be talking about planning and writing short stories, focusing on 'Sense of Place. Stories About Community & Belonging'.

Contact Krystal or Cheryl at the Logan Central Library if you'd like to go along and are not part of the Logan Writers Group.

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10/04/2025

I have very fond memories of Nathalia's (Vic) Sleeper Cutter Statue.

Before its unveiling in December, 2009, Leigh and I spent a lot of time with Bela and Claire Angyal and watched as Bela created the hand beaten copper statue of The Sleeper Cutter.

Having the very great privilege of speaking about the history and heritage of the Barmah Forest Timbermen and their industry at the statue's unveiling is one of my very cherished memories associated with Nathalia and the beautiful Barmah Forest.

The Sleeper Cutter's Statue

Standing tall upon the granite base he represents the past
a symbol of Barmah Forest's workers that will forever last

He's the bloke who chose each red gum and the one that felled the tree
he's the man who worked from dawn to dusk to feed his family

It was his team that hauled the logs, and he kept the barge afloat
or fed saplings to the boilers that powered the paddle boats

He's the one who squared the billets with his sharpened broad-axe blade
it was his skill, his care, his sweat that red gum railway sleepers made

He was a charcoal burner, and he worked at the local mills
take a walk around our bush, see how his work stands, still.

Now this guardian stands before us, proud and strong and free
he and all the timber workers made the bush we love to see
(C) 2009

10/01/2025

Hoping you have this date available for the Bush Poet's Breakfast, Sunday 26th October.

I'm planning a fun-filled session with some of my new original Bush Poetry and am also really looking forward to welcoming and celebrating the work of Walk-Up Poets.

If this is you, or if you've always wanted to 'have a go' then I promise you the Canungra Campfest Bush Poet's Breakfast is the very best place for this.

8:00am Sunday, October 26. Come along and be part of the fun.

09/08/2025

And I'm very happy with this unexpected result of some lighthearted whingeing about one or more possums in the roof back in January.

In my roof

There’s a creature living in my roof
it dances, jumps and likes to scoot
from here to there and back once more
it’s hyperactive – of that, I’m sure.

It thumps, it scurries and then will pounce
and weighs much more than just an ounce
I’ve often wondered if it’s scary,
is it scaly? Is it hairy?

What does it eat? Is food up there?
Or does it live on just hot air?
Is it lonely, does it need a friend?
Will it move from here and put an end
to all that noise above my head
that gets so loud when I go to bed.

Nerelie Teese
2025 ©

08/21/2025

For my school's Book Week Celebration Parade today I went all the way and dressed up and attended as The Australian Bush Poet 😉 and had the very great privilege of presenting 'Feet of Clay' to the fantastic audience of appreciative students, their families and staff members.

While I received some wonderful comments and compliments from all sections of the audience, the call across the playground from one of the 'coolest' and most mischievous high schoolers telling me that I "did a good job" and that he liked my poem really hit the sweet spot. Wish I'd asked him to put it in writing - I would have framed it.

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08/20/2025

And this year's Queensland Premier's Reading Challenge has almost reached the finishing line.

This is one of my annual literacy activities and I love seeing the way students of all ages and reading abilities respond to it.

Around 10 years ago, I had to smile when one of the school's most outstanding athletes stated that she "didn't know I could read that many books." One of my very fond PRC memories.

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an annual statewide initiative aiming to improve literacy and encourage children to read for pleasure and learning.