Taking place on Sunday, November 11, the final day of the festival, the breakfast will highlight four local poets reciting their own work, plus traditional and contemporary work.

Tac Towns, known as “the damper man”, will add authenticity to the breakfast with his “fabulous” old-fashioned damper and billy tea. 

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood is cooking the breakfast, a traditional Aussie breakfast BBQ with eggs, sausages, and the like, with the food kindly donated by Coles, Scone. 

The Australian Stockhorse Society is also supporting the Bush Poet’s Breakfast. 

All four poets, who comprise Tim McLoughlin, Sally Mitchell, Tony Parry and Greg Scott, are highly-acclaimed, having won or placed in major competitions including poetry contests at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Known as the “Awesome Foursome of Bush Poetry”, they have performed up and down the valley; and, after many years of doing other things, it is great for them to come together again for the Bush Poets’ Breakfast at the Scone Literary Festival.

“As well as raising funds for the drought, we are hoping people will come, have some fun and take time out from the stress of the drought,” festival president Janie Jordan said.

Ms Jordan goes on to say that research shows that poetry can be a recipe to counter stress. 

Rachel Hadas, Professor of English at Rutgers University, adds that reading poetry and philosophy “can counter your demons – not with talk therapy, let alone pharmaceuticals, but by working with your mind”.

“And, who doesn’t like a good bush ballad,” Ms Jordan said.

“We were tossing up whether to even go ahead with the festival; it was really touch ‘n go. 

“But, we decided to not only go ahead, but make part of the festival a fundraiser for the local, drought-affected farmers through a focus on bush poetry.

“Our town, like many around NSW, needs visitors. 

“We need the money to be spent in shops and businesses. 

“Our little festival can do its bit to help. 

“We are determined to make it a success.”

Entry is $20 and all proceeds will go the local drought relief. 

To book tickets go to the festival website www.sconewritersfestival.com.au