Each second Saturday of the month, the Woodend RSL becomes a hub for poetry, music, and storytelling. The event, known as Chamber Poets, invites writers and poets from across Melbourne to share their work in front of a passionate audience.
Founded in 2013 by Woodend poet Myron Lysenko, Chamber Poets was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the enthusiasm of local writers and volunteers, the event has been revived, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate spoken word.
Lysenko, an active writer since the 1980s, recalls the event’s humble beginnings in a café within the Woodend council chambers. He admitted that after years of organizing it alone, he was ready to step back. “I was pretty tired of organising the event,” Lysenko said. “But a few writers came to me, and they were eager to bring it back. They offered to help run it, and we made it happen.”
Each event begins with a local band playing two songs, followed by an open poetry section. After an interval for food and drinks, the event wraps up with a reading from a featured poet, who also presents an award to a poet from the open section whose work stood out.
Lysenko enjoys organizing the event as a way to offer writers a platform to express themselves. “Poetry can be an antidote to the surreal world we live in,” he said. “People get to share whatever they want, and it’s a place for people to speak their truth.”
The event draws a multigenerational crowd, with both young and older participants. Volunteer Helen McDonald emphasized that Chamber Poets welcomes writers of all levels. “It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or you’ve been doing it for years,” she said. “Everyone is treated equally, and that’s what makes it so special.”
McDonald believes poetry is a powerful form of expression. “Poetry allows you to reach deep into your thoughts and emotions,” she explained. “It’s not as linear as writing a short story—it’s a unique way to express what’s inside.”
The event also provides a platform for younger poets, with slam poetry becoming increasingly popular. “I see young poets creating their own language and expression,” McDonald said. “Slam poetry has really taken off, and it’s exciting to watch.”
The town of Macedon Ranges, where many of the Chamber Poets presenters come from, is rich with inspiration for poets. “The area is full of imagery and is a great place for poets to find material,” McDonald added.
Macedon Ranges poet Talon Gostelow believes poetry continues to thrive among younger generations. “I see a lot of young people in Melbourne, even teenagers, who are really involved in poetry,” he said. “Even if they don’t attend events, many are writing and journaling at home.”
Gostelow described Chamber Poets as an inclusive and welcoming space. “It feels like a safety net,” he said. “No matter what you present, you’re supported. It’s a place where I feel free to express myself.”
He also shared how poetry can help process deep emotions. “If you’ve been dealing with anxiety, writing poetry can help release those pent-up feelings,” he said. “It’s a cathartic experience that’s hard to beat.”
As the Victorian representative of the Australian Haiku Society, Lysenko is also involved in directing the Woodend Haiku Festival in April. The festival will include a month-long haiku contest, pop-up poetry recitals, a free haiku picnic on April 2, and a special haiku-themed Chamber Poets event on April 12.
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