Benjamin Frater
Benjamin Frater (1979–2007), also known as The Catholic Yak, was an Australian poet. He grew up in Western Sydney and studied at the University of Wollongong. He published one book of poetry during his life, Bughouse Meat (2005, Bird in the Mouth Press). A posthumous collection of his selected poems, 6am in the Universe, appeared in 2011 (Grand Parade Poets).
A feature-length documentary about him is being made by Magical Real Picture Company in Australia. There is also an ABC National radio documentary about his work titled 6am in the Universe, published by Grand Parade Poets, Wollongong, in 2011.
His poetry often explored myth, history, and the human mind, using repetition and chant-like language to probe big questions about life, death, and immortality.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 01:59 (CET).