Miranda Connaughton-Kerr is already known locally for her witty and insightful poetry based on her life experiences and launching a book of her collected works was one more item ticked off the bucket list.

Celebrating a significant birthday earlier this year and with the prompting of a friend and fellow poet, Dr Claire Gaskin, Miranda took the plunge.

“I’ve been called a poet” takes its title from a line in one of Miranda’s poems and features drawings by her artist son Brock Connaughton.

More than 60 invited guests, including family, friends and colleagues, gathered at the Delatite Hotel on Saturday afternoon, 11 October for the occasion.

Her poetry written over 20 years encompasses country life, animals, relationships, broader global issues, and a wry sense of humour with a healthy dose of self-deprecation.

Her work has been generously shared with the local poets’ group and published in literary journals and newspapers.

Her friend Claire a former Mansfield resident who now teaches creative writing in Melbourne kicked off proceedings with words taken from her foreword in the book and the recital of several poems.

She applauds Miranda’s ability to document in verse “the joys, challenges and changes in family life and relationships” and the use of her poetic prowess to respond to political issues such as “GM Grain”.

She describes the poems as being ‘’being full of personality and great sensory detail”.

Miranda also read from her book including “Good Company” which is about the search for “a fella” but “one that I could train” with her concluding buying a dog might be a better option.

One poem that brought much mirth from the audience was a tale about the CWA which might be better forgotten.

When children fly the coop Miranda ponders in “Alone” how her days are full of the care of their animals ranging from cats to horses.

Then there is the search for a man to buy her a ute in “Wanted” for this practical horsey woman.

Her play on words in the work “Poet” show Miranda’s humour at its best when she writes “I ain’t no Banjo Patterson” and believes she is something more akin to “Patterson’s Curse” in the country literary scene.

Dr Will Twycross shared his thoughts on Miranda’s work and how “making word pictures is such a talent”.

“Her poems are so beautiful how they tell us about Miranda’s life and our lives; they give us an insight.

“Miranda Connaughton’s poetry jumps off the page with raw honesty and vitality,” he said.

Surrounded by the people who mean so much to her including her young grandchildren, Miranda was very grateful for the opportunity to share her love of poetry and life with us all.

Copies are available from the Ink Bookshop in High St, Mansfield.