Described by his peers as one of the greatest talents of our time, Ellis gained more than 700 awards for bush verse, songwriting and yarn telling, published books, recorded CDs and thrived on public performance.

A vibrant and creative man, he spent the last years of his life at Dubbo Nursing Home. Ellis died on October 22 at age 88. A funeral service was held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church on October 29.

Ellis arrived in the world at Gulgong on November 30, 1926, the first of seven children born to John and Gladys Campbell.

The family lived in a cottage on a farm owned by his grandfather. After short stints in classrooms at Goolma, Coolah and Gulgong, Ellis completed the majority of his education at a one-teacher school at Tallawang, between Gulgong and Dunedoo.

"Dad and his siblings were required to walk 5km to and from school each day," daughter Carolyn said.

"The school closed when Dad was 13 so his mother moved to Gulgong to further the education of (the younger children).

"Dad stayed with his father and started his working life cutting railway sleepers, rabbit trapping, fencing or whatever else needed to be done around the farm."

At age 17 Ellis took up shearing, a profession he continued for 33 years across four states of Australia.

He used to scribble "bits of poems" in the shearing sheds "to give the shearers a laugh".

In those days reciting was a common form of entertainment and Ellis became a well-known talent.

Ellis married his sweetheart Maureen on his 31st birthday. They had four children - Narelle (deceased), Leona, Mark and Carolyn.

"When I reflect on our years growing up, the thing that stands out for me are weekends spent as a family travelling around playing sport, just being together," Carolyn said.

"Tennis played a big part in all our lives and Dad was equally as dedicated to tennis as he was to everything else.

"Not many people would take a week of their annual leave to build a fence at their tennis club, but that's exactly what Dad did.

"He loved his vegetable garden and was always proud if he managed to have the first ripe tomato in the neighbourhood each year.

"Along with Mum, Dad instilled in us good values, a good work ethic and respect for others."

The family moved from Gulgong to Dubbo when Ellis was 50. He spent the next 15 years working as a gardener at Dubbo Base Hospital.

He enjoyed the Friday afternoon happy hour and challenged all comers to a table tennis match.

Ellis was actively involved in the hospital's annual entertainment reviews and took on the role of Santa for children's parties for many years.

When Ellis retired at age 65 his family worried how he would fill in his time.

"Boy, that was unnecessary," Carolyn said.

"When we suggested he take up lawns bowls, Dad shot us a quizzical look and informed us quite emphatically that bowls was for old fellas."

Ellis devoted his time to poetry and went to TAFE to learn how to type properly.

He still enjoyed tennis and finally had the time to holiday with Maureen. The devoted couple also took up new vogue dancing.

Ellis started taking part in poetry competitions in 1981 and was immediately recognised with awards.

Some of the most prestigious included the Blackened Billy at Tamworth, Henry Lawson Society Competition at Gulgong, Diamond Shears at Longreach, Bush Lantern at Bundaberg, Billy Mateer in Brisbane and the Queensland State Championships.

He enjoyed considerable success in performance poetry, winning the High Country Poets competition and modern section of the Australian Bush Poetry Championships.

"Many who heard Dad recite marvelled at his remarkable memory," Carolyn said.

"It was only fitting that Dad was named overall champion in the last competition he entered - the National Australian Bush Poetry Championships in 2011.

"Since 1984 he published seven books, one of which was awarded Book of the Year in the Bush Laureate Awards at Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2009.

"In 2006 he put out a CD to coincide with his 80th birthday. Dad was very humbled to receive honours bestowed on him. He was admitted as a Writing Fellow by the Fellowship of Australian Writers in 1995, made a Legend of the Longyard at Tamworth in 2008 and awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary that same year.

"In 2012 he received the Judith Hosier Heritage Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival for his outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia's heritage of verse. Not bad for someone who left school at age 13."

Ellis was a thoughtful and positive person who was generous when it came to helping others.

His writing tips were published in various magazines and on internet sites.

"He got as much of a kick out of seeing someone he had helped have success as he did having success himself," Carolyn said.

"People told Dad he was mad for giving away his secrets but he simply did it for his love of traditional verse and love of his fellow man."

Ellis judged many bush poetry competitions and often received letters and calls from complete strangers who enjoyed his writing and performances.

"That sort of recognition, by complete strangers, brought a tear to his eye," Carolyn said.

"Dad had a serious side, a compassionate side and a funny side, all of which came through in his writing.

"There were no short email or texts from Dad. He enjoyed writing and receiving long letters and made wonderful friendships.

"Without a doubt Dad's greatest love was for his family. His love, guidance and dedication to all of us, including his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren is something that will live on in each of us forever."

Ellis has left a legacy of written work. He is remembered as a master of the bush poetry craft, a mentor, confidant and friend.