By Tania Martin
LONG-TIME poet Wilma Birtles has been crowned the 2007 Woorilla Poet of the Dandenongs.
Mrs Birtles of Kallista says it is an honour to be given the title.
She says words have always been her passion which has led to her life-long commitment to poetry.
Mrs Birtles has been writing poetry for the past 25 years and has had a number of her poems published.
She not only has a love of words but is also a passionate environmentalist, cellist and artist.
Mrs Birtles’ poetry is inspired by her love of music and the environment.
She has been published in various magazines and journals and has won numerous awards including the 1999 Woorilla Annual Poetry Prize.
Mrs Birtles poems are often humorous and mixed with a gentle sting when looking at life and human foibles.
Her book Something of Everything will be launched at the Emerald Community House on Sunday, 15 April at 2pm.