C. J. Dennis Collection

C. J. Dennis Collection

Narrated by Sarah Bacaller and Denis Daly

Between 1915 and 1921, C. J. Dennis published seven verse novels and two collections of poetry. The first of these was The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, which features Dennis' characteristic use of a distinctive Australian argot and which became an immediate bestseller.

The other titles are

The Moods of Ginger Mick (1916)

Doreen (1917)

Digger Smith (1918)

Jim of the Hills (1919)

Rose of Spadgers (1924)

Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918)

A Book for Kids (1921)

The Glugs of Gosh (1917)

Dennis's poetry is significant not only for its skillful use of the vernacular but also for its evocative portrayal of a post-colonial lifestyle that has changed radically since the Second World War.

In 1985, the C. J. Dennis Prize for Poetry was established, and laureates have included such luminaries as Rosemary Dobson, Gwen Harwood, Bruce Beaver, and Les Murray.

Public Domain (P)2022 Voices of Today