EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS LAURA

The sculpture celebrates the life of poet CJ Dennis, creator of the Sentimental Bloke. Father, James Dennis, was licensee of the Beetaloo Reservoir Hotel from 1892 to 1909. A similar sculpture resides at the Auburn Hotel. Both were also commissioned by the Rocky River Historic and Art Society to commemorate the 110th birthday of CJ Dennis on 1986, an event that won a Tourism Award.

One of Laura's most famous former residents is C. J. Dennis (September 1876 - June 1938), author of well known poem 'The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke' amongst other Aussie yarns. His 1916 publication of The Sentimental Bloke sold 65,000 copies in its first year, and by 1917 he was the most prosperous poet in Australian history. A larger than life copper sculpture of this balladeer proudly stands in the main street, outside one of the local art galleries. There is also a bust of CJ Dennis located in Hughes Street at the Civic Centre. Laura was the home of CJ Dennis, he represents the personality of the town combined with Australia's literature history. Make sure you visit him while visiting Laura!