Australian writers Clive James,Les Murray and Les Carlyon were among those lost to us in 2019 along with a host of talented international authors.
Even those volunteer firefighters who do not want to be paid concede that more support is needed for those on the front-line.
We could learn something from the way other countries commemorate their writers and poets.
Australia's unofficial poet laureate largely spoke in his own words at his state memorial
The poet survived what he considered his first funeral. On Friday he will be farewelled at his second,but his work will survive him.
"Good poetry takes you beyond yourself. Not just to a club where everyone thinks the same as you."
You don’t expect a scintillating machine like Murray to actually take the cosmic option of death.
Both were household names - and it happened to be the same name. We're a richer nation both Les Murrays,the poet and the football broadcaster.
If there’s one thing,one essential thing an aspiring poet needs,especially in Australia,it is hope.
Award winning Australian poet Les Murray has died aged 80. We remember Murray with this 2002 article from the archives.
Murray's power came from extraordinary poetic technique and a determination to draw for his subject matter on Australia and its past.