The Banjo Paterson Writing Awards were established in 1991, with the purpose of honouring a great Australian writer and favourite son of Orange, through short stories or poetry writing with Australian content.

Mr Stevens, 89, first entered the competition in 1995 and won his first award the following year.

He went on to win again in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010, with got second place last year in the Open Poetry section.

Mr Stevens considers Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson and C.J. Dennis as poets he aspires to be like.

"I generally explore the idea of country people against city people and their differences in outlooks on life," he said.

"For many years I have been into bush poetry and been to different festivals.

"If I have an idea I enjoy exploring it and telling the story or argument.

"It is a good creative outlet for people and is something I find very rewarding and satisfying."

Mr Stevens believes there are three key requirements that must be a part of any poem.

These are sound, sense and sensibility.

"I have run a few workshops and that is what I focused on," he said.

"The sound represents having a good rhythm in your poem.

"The sense is painting a picture for someone, so when they are reading your poem they can imagine seeing it.

"And sensibility is making sure the poem means something and is more important than the jingle.

"Being original is also important."

Mr Stevens' Poets at the Royal Hotel tells of the division felt between people from the bush and city, though it is not mentioned directly, it is the message he is getting across.

Mr Stevens' wife of 65 years Clauris is his biggest critic, but also his biggest fan.

"I read all the poems to her and she stops me if they aren't any good and if the message isn't getting through to her," he said.