Fiona McIlroy has written poetry since she could hold a pen. She studied Language and Literature at University of Melbourne. Her Honours thesis was on Sylvia Plath. Fiona was a teacher of all ages, a mediator and life coach. She had 3 children, and now 7 grandchildren. 

Fiona has been published widely and invited to read in several locations - including Sassari University in Sardinia. Fiona has a love of nature and community. In 2009 she ran Poetry in Motion on trains between Canberra and Sydney supported by NSW trains and Australian Poetry. Fiona has convened Majura Cafe poets since 2009 where local poets meet weekly and publish an annual chapbook. Poetry is her tonic and inspiration. Clink!

Morgan Bell is a Port Stephens author with two visual poetry collections: 'Idiomatic, For The People' (2019) and Pretend I Don’t Exist (2021, Flying Islands). Her full-colour zines 'The Sound of Colour' (2023), 'Animalian Bites' (2024), and 'Glancing The Hold '(2025) are a trio of nature haiku collections where every poem is a paint swatch.

Morgan transforms the traditional poetic form of haiku into something that is playful, subversive, and reflective. Her haiku applies the structural convention hinge points. She is a master in the art of contrast, comparison, and narrowing focus.

Morgan’s work can be found at morganbellstudio.etsy.com 

The open mic is three minutes per poet. Sign up on the night, so come from 6.45 to get on the list. We have a welcoming audience.