Whose Poet Laureate Is It, Anyway?: The Peter Steele Poetry Conversation

Name: Whose Poet Laureate Is It, Anyway?: The Peter Steele Poetry Conversation
Start: 2026-05-10T13:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-10T14:30:00+00:00
Location: State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter

Later this year, the inaugural Australian Poet Laureate will be appointed, and tasked with promoting poetry and mentoring the next generation of young poets. But what is the true definition of a poet laureate?

Sun 10 May 13:30

State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter

60 mins

State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter

60 mins

Why does the role exist? And what might a poet laureate do to foster culture, literacy and creative expression in Australia?

Maxine Beneba Clarke served as the University of Melbourne’s inaugural Poet in Residence. Michael Pedersen is the current Makar (Poet Laureate) of Edinburgh. Chris Tse was Aotearoa New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2022-25.

These three esteemed guests come together to discuss the purpose of a poet laureate through the lens of their own experiences and consider what poet laureates offer the communities they serve. With Andy Jackson.

Supported by the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne