A weaver of words has passed this way, As aye, we all must do. He wove his dreams in the cloth of life And then he turned to go. - Noel
THE LORIKEET LIVES!!!!! - Hal Alexander
We'll miss you Denis - and your regular poems you sent us for "Australian Socialist" - Bruce and Pat Toms
How wonderful and what a privilege to come across such a prize of a human being in this journey through life. I remember when I first heard you saying your poem of the unknown soldier "shadow-weaving" in Martin Place. Here was an Australian Dylan Thomas speaking with the Australian vernacular, full of richness and politics, compassion for humanity. This was around fifty years ago and it still stays with me. Thankyou Denis, & Vale. - Silvia Salisbury
I hope this doesn't stop you writing poems. Regards. - Russ Hermann
Thankyou Denis for your beautiful generous embrace always - not only through your creative enterprise, but in so many other subtle and overt ways. We will be there with you at the Parakeet in Katoomba next. - anon
Denis I will miss you, your poetry and music, particularly "bourgeoisie" - anon
Denis and I go back a bit. I liked and respected him for his support of our "Land Rights" struggle. A very special man. - Kevin Jory
I recall Denis and John Dengate performing together at the Bush Music Club on Friday nights in 1981. I listened to Denis all night talking about his Green Ban activities with Jack Mundey at Gulgong and Wilberforce for the 40th anniversary of the BMC. - Gina Langley
Denis was always supportive of beginner poets. We sat for an hour once on Glenbrook station, late at night, waiting for the train to take him to Wentworth Falls. I had just driven him from Gymea Tradies Club after we had both performed there and that hour of chatting will always be special to me. - Brian Bell
Denis was the neighbour of one of my best friends. When she went away for extended periods of time, Denis kindly offered to keep the lawn mowed. But he used this activity as a time to let loose his creativity. He NEVER mowed the whole lawn. Instead, he would mow patterns, leaving some parts long while he cut swathes in various patterns. - Rita Sofea Warleigh
Denis always had a shoulder and an ear for people to use and share. He helped beyond the call, and often helped when you didn't even know you needed it, and he did it in a way that was never obtrusive, always nurturing. - Jeanette Hayden
Denis, I love you forever, love, Soni. We had a lot of stories, we sang a lot of songs, always love you, miss you, love, Soni
The South Wind - John Dengate
A dear friend who leaves a big gap in our lives. - Bill and Jen Egan
Den, we will miss you. You are a legend. - anon
Denis was a good friend, and wonderful to my two grandsons, Adrian and Jessie. He had a great sense of humour. Avis Manning
I didn't know Denis very well, and for a while he called me Bernice whenever we met. Then he started saying,"You're not Bernice . . . ". Now I'll never know if he ever learnt my name.
We'll miss you down at Waverley Cemetery for the 1798 and 1916 memorial services every year. With luck there'll be a republic where you're gone now. - Chris Mattison
Was it only 40 years ago?? New Theatre gratefully received your support and personal appearances over those years. I just loved your Larrikinism and intellect. - Marie Armstrong
I met Denis through Comhaltas Ceoltori Erin and the Bush Music Club - always a great craic, loved his poetry, always on the side of the "real people". Met Denis again a few months ago and we arranged for me to go to the Blue Mountains and teach Irish traditional songs. A lovely human being. Rest in peace Denis - anon
A great Australian who has not been appreciated yet (but he will be) except by his friends and acquaintances. His writings were prolific and he was always a friend of the ordinary man and the underdog. He will be sorely missed. He was a rare gem, but thankfully he has left us a great legacy in his excellent poetry. - John Kavanagh
I heard Denis at many functions and loved his poetry, songs, and great sense of humour. He was a rare talent and a great Australian who loved his country and always will be remembered and missed by those who knew him. - Valerie Warton
Denis was a regular contributor to my little monthly journal, "The Stirrer", both with poems and written articles. His poems were also printed often in the more official "Beacon" of the Melbourne Unitarian Church - which I think found out about him from us. His work was always witty, while making his strong points on the social and political issues that they expressed. His untimely passing is a great loss to all of us, coming at a time when this country needs people like him more than ever. - Mike McPhee
I met Denis at rallies where I sang and he said his poetry. Very impressive man, genuine, generous, big-hearted and humble. And what a poet!! A treasure. Thankyou Denis for your legacy of truth. - Catherine O'Brien
I've known Denis for many years, and heard him frequently sing at Anti-Vietnam War rallies. He supported local peace and environmental groups and will be much missed in the peace and environmental movements and for his songs. - Alistair Dickinson
I have seen Denis perform on and off for the past twenty years. I remember very well a radio program on the old ABC classic FM of songs from World War I, performed by Denis and Sonia. It brought tears to my eyes. Goodbye Denis. We will all miss you. - Christine O'Gliasain (Gleeson)
I have known Denis for more than twenty years and share his love of folk music and folk song, especially Australian. I share with my wife her love of Denis's songs from World War I, which also bring tears to my eyes. Folk music and song keep alive the identity of a nation and in Australia's case this is a very working class identity. Vale Denis. - Thomas O'Gliasain (Gleeson)
It is not very often that a working class artist like Denis graces the pages of song and poetry books. In his lifetime he was living proof that true culture is the property of the working class. He will continue to be an inspiration to all who value real culture over the mass production of Hollywood. - Ron Barrett
My memories of Denis are of him as Jacko's older brother. I stayed at their place in Kingston, Canberra. I saw Denis as a talented and much admired older brother. I don't know that I saw Denis again until about five years ago. A little while before that he had kindly sent me a CD which featured a song by Denis on my beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs. When I visited him in Wentworth Falls five years ago we spent a couple of hours talking of old times. We corresponded on and off after that. He was always very supportive of me. Just a few weeks ago I attended "Shamrock in the Bush" at Gulgong NSW. I saw Denis's name on a list of previous speakers/entertainers. I spoke to some of the organisers about him. It was one of them who contacted me with the news of Den's death. I offered mass for him when I heard the sad news. I have memories of a beautiful gentle soul who epitomises what Jesus said: "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full" (Gospel of St John 10,10). May dear Denis rest in peace. - Pat Power