2023
Rob Waters – photo credit: Jacquie Manning
ROB WATERS
2023 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – ADULT
Rob Waters is the 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. The New South Wales poet won the National Final on 8 October 2023 in a tie with K.J. Hayward. Rob is a Gomeroi man with deep cultural connections to the North West of NSW. He is a proud father and grandfather and now lives with his partner on Darkinjung Country. Rob is a poet, storyteller, cultural educator and spoken word artist and has been performing and sharing Story for over 20 years.
K.J Hayward – photo credit: Jacquie Manning
K.J. HAYWARD
2023 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – YOUTH
K.J. Hayward is the 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Youth Champion. On 8 October 2023, the 16-year-old poet from Victoria claimed the title in a tie-breaking round against National Champion Rob Waters. K.J. Hayward is a home-school student travelling around Australia with her family. At K.J.’s first open mic night in Ballarat, she was encouraged to participate in a local APS slam heat. A few months later, she went on to win the Victorian State Final and the National Final.
2022
Joanna Yang – photo credit: Nicola Bailey
JOANNA YANG
2022 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Joanna Yang is the 2022 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. The Northern Territory poet won the National Final on 23 October 2022. Jo is a high school teacher, podcaster, writer, and author of the 2020 e-book Shock to the System, which critiques our failing school system. Through her poetry, Jo seeks to spread empathy and connection, sharing stories of her proud Chinese identity as well as her role as an educator. With often tough topics to flesh out, Jo deeply values storytelling through humour.
2021
HUDA THE GODDESS
2021 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Huda the Goddess is the 2021 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. The Queensland poet won the National Final on 28 November 2022. Huda describes poetry as one of her senses that has allowed her to turn her experiences into art. In addition to her work as an award-winning spoken word poet, Huda is an educator, mental health advocate, dancer and workshop facilitator. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleopatraHuda/
Instagram: @hudzstar
2020
REN ALESSANDRA
2020 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Ren Alessandra is the 2020 Australian Poetry Slam Champion, winning the National Final on the virtual stage on 14 November 2020. Ren is a creative mentor based in Melbourne. Her work explores her relationship with her femininity and her journey into self-discovery. https://www.facebook.com/wordcraftspokenword
2019
WĀNI LE FRÈRE
2019 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – ADULT
wāni Le Frère is the 2019 Australian Poetry Slam Champion, winning the National Final at Sydney Opera House on 20 October 2019. A transdisciplinary artist from Bukavu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by way of Aotearoa/New Zealand, wāni is Indigenous to the Ba Shi peoples of walungu. https://www.facebook.com/wanilefrere/
FERGUS CLARKSON
2019 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – YOUTH
Fergus Clarkson is the Australian Poetry Slam Youth Champion for 2019. This poet has a passion towards using the stage to address global world issues.
2018
MELANIE MUNUNGGURR-WILLIAMS
2018 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Melanie Mununggurr-Williams was crowned the first ever Indigenous champion of the Australian Poetry Slam in 2018. The Northern Territory poet claimed the title at the National Final as part of Story-Fest ‘18. Watch her performance at Sydney Opera House on 21 October 2018. https://www.instagram.com/running_writing
2017
JESSE OLIVER
2017 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – ADULT
Jesse Oliver is the Australian Poetry Slam Adult Champion for 2017. The wholesome Perth Poet is best known for his casual conversational style of slam. Watch his performance from the 2017 National Final.
SOLLI RAPHAEL
2017 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION – YOUTH
Solli Raphael was crowned the first ever Youth Champion of the Australian Poetry Slam in 2017. The 12-year-old Coffs Harbour poet claimed the title in a tie-breaking round against Adult Champion Jesse Oliver. Watch Solli's incredible performance in front of a sold-out crowd at Sydney Opera House on 15 October 2017. https://www.solliraphael.com/home
2016
ARIELLE COTTINGHAM
2016 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Arielle Cottingham is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2016. Known for mixing the personal and the political, their work deals heavily with themes of identity, heritage and history. Watch their powerful performance at the Sydney Opera House for the National Final. https://www.facebook.com/ariellecottinghampoetry/
2015
PHILIP WILCOX
2015 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Philip Wilcox is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2015, and previous two-time NSW Poetry Slam Champion. Using wit, humour and raw authenticity, Philip’s work is at times both hilarious and challenging. Watch Philip’s winning performance for the National Final. https://www.iamphilipwilcox.com/
2014
ZOHAB ZEE KHAN
2014 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Zohab Zee Khan is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2014. Part spoken word artist, motivational speaker and hip-hop artist, Zohab’s work empowers and educates through discussions of racism, identity and socio-economic issues. Watch his performance on the power of spoken word at the National Final. https://www.zohabzee.com/
2013
JESSE JOHN BRAND
2013 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Jesse John Brand is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2013. Using experimental performance methods, his work explores personal narratives and themes of modern dystopia, history, science and religion. Watch Jesse’s performance at the National Final. https://twitter.com/deathtojesse
2012
CJ BOWERBIRD
2012 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
CJ Bowerbird is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2012. Exploring everyday issues and what it means to be human, CJ’s classic satire and wit make his work both poignant and hilarious. Watch CJ's performance at the Sydney Opera House for the National Final. https://www.cjbowerbird.com.au/
2011
LUKA LESSON
2011 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Luka Lesson is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2011. Using poetry to empower communities and bring attention to critical social issues, Luka remains a significant force in the global spoken word community. Watch his winning performance at the National Final. https://www.lukalesson.com/
2010
KELLY-LEE HICKEY
2010 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Kelly-Lee Hickey is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2010. Kelly-Lee’s work deals with the deeply personal intersections of identity, location and history, often using storytelling to connect communities throughout Australia and Indonesia. Watch her performance at the National Final. https://www.echolocation.com.au/
2009
SARAH TAYLOR
2009 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Sarah Taylor is the Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2009. Coming to spoken word poetry by chance, Sarah’s winning slam uses a deep sense of humour to investigate the taboos and shocks of aging in women. Watch her performance at the National Final.
2008
OMAR MUSA
2008 AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMPION
Omar Musa is the 2008 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. Confronting the dark realities of Australian history and culture, in his winning slam Omar began to investigate traditional understandings of masculinity and family life. Watch his performance at the Sydney Opera House for the National Final. https://www.omarmusa.com.au/