AVA LEARY

Ava Leary is a poet, youth worker, and community-builder based in lutruwita/Tasmania. Ava has been writing since she was young but kept her work private until early 2025, when she launched Poetica Collective – a grassroots monthly spoken word, storytelling, and music event in Hobart. Through Poetica, Ava has created a welcoming space where like‐minded, creative people from the local community can gather, perform, and connect.

Alongside Poetica, Ava works as a youth worker and in a local high school, supporting young people experiencing homelessness, trauma backgrounds, and disability. She is passionate about weaving her poetry and event work with her youth work to continue giving back to her community in lutruwita and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.

– See the APS National Finalists compete for the crown of Australian Poetry Slam Champion 2025 at the 2025 APS National Final on 26 October at Sydney Opera House.


UPDATE: The 2025 APS National Final is now sold out! There are still tickets available for the NSW APS State Final.