Ken Lee wins limerick competition

ASPIRING Hervey Bay poet Ken Lee has won the Fraser Coast Chronicle’s limerick competition.

The swagman of Ken Lee's limerick watched whales until he was jolly.

ASPIRING Hervey Bay poet Ken Lee has won the Fraser Coast Chronicle’s limerick competition.

Mr Lee’s entry titled Prelude Billabong 123 was selected from among 305 entries from across the Fraser Coast to take out one of Australia’s richest limerick competitions.

“I’m flattered, I’m honoured, I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” Mr Lee said when he got the telephone call to advise him of his big win.

“I’m turning 80 in July so it is about time that I went to the Gold Coast.

“You’ve taken my breath away.”

Mr Lee was referring to redeeming his prize, which is a five-night stay for two people at the luxury Grande Florida resort on the Gold Coast.

The competition, which ran for three weeks, called for limericks to be submitted that captured the spirit of the Fraser Coast.

The competition was judged by USQ Professor of English Literature Christopher Lee (no relation), who praised the quality of the entries overall.

Referring to Mr Lee’s winning limerick, Professor Lee said: “I liked the twist at the end (with the word) ‘jolly”.

“That’s witty and a cherished convention in the limerick.”

Prelude Billabong 123

A swagman who felt melancholy

Ringing wet from the floods with no brolly

Waltzed Matilda for free

On the beach at Torquay

Watching whales until he was jolly

– Ken Lee

Originally published as Ken Lee wins limerick competition