Barry Collier OAM – Australian author, poet and guest speaker
Interested in poetry about life, love and passing that’s easy to read, down-to-earth and relevant to you for a change?
Or perhaps thinking of a career in politics and don’t know where to begin?
Then I know you’ll find my books worthwhile reading!
Welcome!
I’m Barry Collier OAM. Australian author, poet, barrister, former Member of New South Wales State Parliament and former senior State high school teacher.
Whether you are looking for down-to-earth poetry that speaks to real life or practical insights into Australian politics, I invite you to explore my books and interactive author talks.
- Poems Of Life, Of Love and Passing takes you on a memorable journey of observation, inspiration and reflection on the emotions and challenges we all inevitably face.
- Collier for Miranda: The 1999 Labor Campaign is the true story of my journey into NSW State Parliament as a previously unknown, first-time candidate on a shoe-string budget. Its lessons are still relevant today.
I hope you’ll read and enjoy both my books.
Book Barry as Guest Speaker
You can book Barry to present and talk about his inspirational poetry to your social club, residential village, community group, local writing group or other organisation – including your local library or school.
Poems Of Life, Of Love and Passing
Find much of today’s written poetry a total turn-off?
Avoid modern poetry because you don’t see it as remotely relevant to you?
You are not alone!
Poems Of Life, Of Love and Passing seeks to change that with an easy-to-read, down to earth, thought-provoking and memorable collection of poems relevant to you, to your experience and to the challenges we all face from time to time.
Beginning with his award-winning Millennium Drought, Barry Collier takes you on a poetic journey of observation, inspiration and reflection across a broad landscape of themes, ideas and emotions, from generosity to the humorous side of retirement. From the joy and heartache of love to the realities of old age; and from hope to the grief and the tragedy of loss.
Barry includes poems based on his experience in the schools, in the criminal courts and as a Member of an Australian Parliament, and adds a selection of poems written for children, including his prize-winning Maggie Magpie.
This collection, which includes poems with a distinctive Australian flavour, also gives the reader an insight into Barry’s own literary journey with a number of poems written as a young adult facing the challenges of an uncertain future, not unlike those confronting many of us and our loved ones today.
To enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of certain poems, Barry has added background notes outlining key points as to their time, their setting, the language chosen and his observations that inspired him to write them.
Of Life, Of Love and Passing reminds us that poetry is everywhere around us, every day. Barry explores that idea with his introductory words and encourages you to try writing poems of your own.
Collier for Miranda:
The 1999 Labor Campaign
Collier for Miranda is an easy-to-read, political memoir with a difference. It’s the true story of a grassroots campaign by a first-time candidate seeking election as the Labor MP for the southern Sydney seat of Miranda in the New South Wales Parliament.
An unknown, inexperienced political aspirant given no chance of defeating the very high profile, sitting Liberal MP, Barry Collier recounts his 1999 campaign — run on a shoestring budget with the help of local Labor Party members and supporters.
Barry takes you on a real political journey, from his preselection to election night itself. Along the way, he reveals his conversations with voters at their front doors, on the streets, at the railway stations and at the polling booths. He outlines the lessons he learnt and offers practical, down-to-earth advice with do’s and don’ts about campaigning.
This book is a must read for political aspirants about to set foot on that perilous campaign trail and for the student of Australian politics. The lessons of the 1999 Labor campaign for Miranda are as relevant today as back then.
Barry Collier OAM, Author
My Story
I’m a barrister, a former MP for the southern Sydney seat of Miranda in the New South Wales State Parliament, Australia and a former senior State high school teacher.
Prior to publishing my poems, I have published best-selling high school economics textbooks and my well-received political memoir: Collier for Miranda: the 1999 Labor Campaign.
In 2017, I was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) ‘for service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to the law and to education’
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Barry Collier OAM?
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How do you book Barry Collier for a guest speaking event?
To book Barry Collier for a Sydney guest speaker engagement, community group presentation, library event, or school visit, submit an enquiry directly through the contact form at https://barrycollier.com.au/contact-barry-collier/.