Denis Kevans
Denis Kevans (1939–2005) was an Australian poet, songwriter and folk singer. Widely known as Australia's "Poet Lorikeet", he wrote mainly on political and environmental topics, from a leftwing viewpoint.
Life
Kevans was born in WestlakeCanberra in 1939. His mother, Mona, was the daughter of Alf Knight of no. 1 Westlake and it was probably this cottage where he lived at Westlake. Today the site of his home is in the grounds of the Mexican Embassy Yarralumla. The sites of the majority of Westlake Cottages (1924-1965) are in the grounds of the nearby Stirling Park Yarralumla.(Ref: Westlake One of the Vanished Suburbs of Canberra - Gugler. Denis attended St Christopher's Convent School at Manuka. He won a scholarship to St Josephs College in Sydney, where he played for the first XI and the much celebrated first XV of 1956. Upon leaving school he had continued success as a cricketer, being selected in the Prime Minister's XI which played the touring English team in 1958. Whilst initially studying medicine, he completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education while working on building sites and becoming a member of the NSW Builders Labourers Federation.
Kevans became active in left wing political and cultural movements, including the Realist Writers Group associated with the Communist Party of Australia and the Bush Music Club. He wrote poems on a wide variety of political topics, but over time came to focus increasingly on environmental issues.
Recognition
A concert in honour of Kevans, planned to be an annual event is to be held on Anzac Day Eve, 24 April 2009 .
External links
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