Australian bush poet champions Melanie Hall, Susie Carcary and Robyn Sykes entertained the hundreds of visitors to the Banjo Paterson More Than a Poet Exhibition during a line up of music, stories and bush poetry.

As busloads of people arrived, curator and Yeoval local Alf Cantrell said he was very pleased with the growing popularity of the birthday celebrations in their third year.

The festival is now underway in Orange, and mayor of Dubbo, Matthew Dickerson is brushing up on his own poetry skills and getting ready for three mayoral poetry challenge this Saturday at the Hotel Canobolas.

Last year it was a tie, but this year everyone is hoping for a Dubbo win.