Bankstown Poetry Slam (BPS) held their annual Grand Slam at the Sydney Opera House on the 27th of February 2025, marking Australia’s largest 2025 poetry event.
BPS monthly slam winners gain a position in the annual Grand Slam, should they choose to accept. Competitors are randomly assigned to groups of four, with each group participating in two rounds.
Israa Merhi went to her first poetry slam when she was around 20. This quickly became the catalyst for her budding career as a poet.
‘Without BPS, I truly would not be the same person I am today’, said Merhi. ‘And for that I am eternally grateful’.
BPS hosts some of the largest regular poetry slams in the Southern Hemisphere and Merhi has felt at home there since day one. It is a warm environment where attendees can safely explore topics that mean the most to them. For Merhi, it is the only place where she feels entirely comfortable to share her innermost passions.
She describes the community of poets and writers as “fellow hopeless romantics” which she never knew she needed in her life.
Merhi and partner Rayanne Issa performed as a duet in the Grand Slam round one.
Both Merhi and Issa hail from countries inflicted by foreign occupying forces, and the two poets felt it their responsibility to integrate world issues including genocides into their poetry.
‘It was an honour to stand side-by-side with my friend and teammate Rayanne Issa and compete against other great poets’, said Merhi.
BPS Event Audience at the Sydney Opera House. Photo by Ash Berdebes, @ashberdebes, 2025.
Merhi, Issa and their team won the People’s Choice Award, revealing how deeply their poetry resonated with the audience, who cheered them on throughout.
‘Knowing I have my family and community’s support is something I cherish the most’, Merhi added, reflecting on the award.
It is her hope that the win will open doors in her poetic journey.
Merhi encourages everyone to consider attending a BPS event:
‘I think the poetry scene, especially in the Western suburbs, is one that is big enough for everyone’. She believes that there’s space for experimentation even amongst those who don’t enjoy poetry.
‘Poetry isn’t some rigid or outdated text, it is about storytelling most of all’, said Merhi. ‘And I believe we all have something to share’.
Grand Slam Judges. Photo by Ash Berdebes, @ashberdebes, 2025.
W’SUP News hosts free writing workshops, supported by talented students such as Merhi. Check the W’SUP group WESTERNLife calendar for more details.
These free workshops are designed to meet you at whatever stage you’re at with your writing journey.
