Manfred Vijars - Country Campfire

Bush Poet • Performer • Songwriter • Mentor

Manfred “Manny” Vijars is a Queensland bush poet, performer, songwriter and mentor whose work bridges traditional Australian rhyming verse and country music. Country Campfire listeners first heard his distinctive storytelling voice in 2021 through his recitals of two Henry Lawson classics, Sweeney and That There Dog O’ Mine.

Based in Brisbane and active across South East Queensland, regional Queensland and the eastern states, Manfred was an avid reader of Australian classical verse from his school days. After being introduced to contemporary bush poetry through the North Pine Bush Poets in 2005, he began writing and performing and has since built more than two decades of experience sharing Australian stories in verse.

This page brings Manfred’s poetry, recitals, songwriting achievements, recordings and Country Campfire appearances together in one permanent home, where his contribution can continue to be discovered beyond the fast-moving social media feed.

From Bush Verse to Golden Guitars

Manfred’s writing has travelled far beyond the bush poetry stage. His lyrics have helped earn three Golden Guitar awards for Bush Ballad of the Year: One Last Muster, co-written with Allan Caswell and awarded in 2016; Country Copper, again co-written with Allan Caswell and awarded in 2020; and The Easy Way, co-written with Angus Gill and awarded in 2022.

His own recording Bargo Bargo was named Album of the Year at the 2015 Australian Bush Laureate Awards. Manfred has also received two Tamworth Songwriters Association awards for lyrics, adding to a body of work recognised across both the bush poetry and Australian country music communities.

His collaborations have also received Australian Country Music People’s Choice honours. Just Like Your Dad, written with Allan Caswell and recorded by Dale Duncan, was named Best Bush Ballad in 2018, while Diamantina Coming Down, written with Norma O’Hara Murphy and recorded by Dale Duncan, was named Best Song in 2019.

Keeping Bush Poetry Alive

Alongside his own writing and performing, Manfred has given many years of service to the wider bush poetry community. He served four years as president of the Australian Bush Poets Association from 2010 to 2013 and later served as vice-president. He has also served as president of the North Pine Bush Poets and remains closely involved with the group and the broader poetry community.

Manfred regularly performs at events and festivals and has taken bush poetry into both primary and secondary schools. He also runs adult writing workshops, including helping writers understand how a bush poem can be shaped into a bush ballad. That work as a teacher and mentor is an important part of his contribution: not only preserving the tradition, but helping others find the confidence and craft to carry it forward.

Recordings and a Homage to Henry Lawson

Manfred has released three albums of original work: Just Call Me Mate, Bargo Bargo and Wollomi. His recorded project Homage to Henry contains 34 tracks drawn from the writing of Henry Lawson, arranged as a chronological journey across 41 years of Lawson’s work from 1888 to 1919.

The project reflects one of Manfred’s great strengths as a performer: his ability to bring traditional verse to life while respecting the language, characters and history within it. His repertoire ranges from humorous and serious original work to classic Australian poetry and storytelling.

Follow Manfred Vijars

Manfred Vijars on Country Campfire

The following recitals by Manfred Vijars have been shared on Country Campfire:

Rights And Permission

Poems and contributions are shared by Country Campfire with permission.

Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.

Country Campfire Legend #15