Australia pays tribute to celebrated poet, Les Murray

The nation is paying tribute to one of Australia's most celebrated poets, Les Murray, who has died at the age of 80. Arts Minister Mitch Fifield released a statement on Monday night saying, 'Australia, and the world, has lost a rare individual’ while offering his condolences to Mr Murray’s family and friends. Queensland poet Sarah Holland-Batt also remembered the poet, saying she was 'terribly sad to hear of Mr Murray's passing. A towering genius in every sense. Vale’. Mr Murray was also honoured as a ‘giant of literature, a beautiful, humble, funny, courageous, generous and gentle titan of Australian letters’, by Australian author Nikki Gemmell. ‘Les Murray’s words were a gift to us all. If only he’d won the Nobel – the last accolade due to him. Vale my dear, dear friend,’ she said.

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