Delightful. Creative. Inspiring. Aspiring. Intelligent.
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These adjectives describe young James Archinal from Mount George.
And busy … another adjective.
Ten-year-old James, and his little sister Elizabeth, both entered the Manning in Rhyme competition after seeing a notice at the Wingham Library when returning books.
James was announced in the winners list on September 21 as having received an encouragement award in the children’s category for his poem titled “The prophecy of the great land of the dragons end”, reproduced below. Elizabeth did very well too.
For his efforts James received a medal, which he describes as “spiffy”.
Although new to poetry, James has been spending spare time doing creative writing for a couple of years now, writing books and self publishing by stapling the pages together. He was inspired by Elizabeth, who started the family trend.
“At the moment I’m trying to write a book to send to the publishers,” says James.
A book which is based on his favourite subject – dragons.
He is also illustrating his book – he loves art and was awarded the People’s Choice award at the Centenary of Anzac Back to Mt George event children’s section of the art show in 2015 for his painting of a dragonfruit flower.
The siblings’ performance in the Mt George Public School’s Anzac tribute at the centenary gained them a special invitation from Ariana Schneider, who is producing her own musical which will debut this October at the Taree Christian College, “Crystal Dreaming”.
James has three roles: as an earthy elemental being called a grommett; young Sly, an evil human who’s “a bit of a bully”; and a Telosian child.
On playing the part of an evil character, James says, “It’s actually quite fun until Cabanossi starts to beat me up”.
Elizabeth is in the chorus and plays an elemental fairy, a school child, and a Telosian.
To take part in the production James has had to put his music lessons on hold – he has been learning the bagpipes for a year and is proud of the family’s heritage, which is that of Scottish Vikings.
It is a surprise, then, with all this creative ability, to learn that James’s other great love (besides dragons), is science. He wants to be an aeronautical engineer when he grows up.
Goodness knows how he’ll find the time.
“The prophecy of the great land of the dragons end” by James Archinal
Through the typhoon of the lagoon
You shall find crystal and whistle
One represents the evil lurking around the corner
The other shows the goodness ahead.
So dare you brave the despairing grave
To find your strength or find your faint
Once long ago someone heard …
Faint you ain’t
Beware or despair
You are in danger
You great, big ranger
Find the key
So you can decree
Yourself to him
The master of all the great gods.