The annual presentation was earmarked for September 4 but instead of a physical event, people can tune in online to watch a collaborative video.

This year, more than 7600 entries were submitted by schools and individuals from all across Australia.

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Judging is finished and the list of winners has been finalised so the next step is a visit from filmmakers who fill capture images of the Gunnedah region, and even the grounds of Kurrumbede, a former residence of the Mackellars.

The images will then be combined with videos of the winners reading their poems, judges' comments and messages from ambassador Sarah Mitchell MLC, and patrons Mark Vaile from Whitehaven Coal, and Susan Duncan who owns a former residence of Mackellar's in Pittwater.

"The film-makers have been great and given us some examples of what the video should look like, and it looks really good," poetry awards officer Brittany Riley said.

Meanwhile, Ms Riley is busy contacting schools and "gearing up for the hectic month that is August".

Society president Pip Murray said a virtual ceremony was "a win-win decision".

"It's really just using the resources we would allocate towards the real presentation ceremony ... we're trying to encompass everything," she said.

"I think it will be really compact and I hope, an entertaining and informative ceremony."

It was Ms Murray who asked Gunnedah resident and Kamilaroi artist Ron Long to come up with an idea for this year's trophies.

"We've always got artists from around the region to create something. Whether we've had a print-maker or sculptor or potter or artist, we've always done something very individual because I think it makes it a really special moment and the winners will remember it," she said.

"It's not just another trophy on the wall or in a cabinet."

Mr Long decided to make coolamons - Indigenous gathering bowl - out of fallen timber, including acacia bimble box, from around the region.

The artist carved the bowls out of the wood, sanded them back and then carved symbols of Indigenous culture into the surface. He said the symbols represented the physical places he collected the wood, "a journey", and other elements including white cockatoos, which are often by the Namoi River.

One of the places Mr Long collected wood was on Blue Vale Road near Kurrumbede.

"I was thinking of [Dorothea's] journey and where she walked," Mr Long said.

Each bowl took a week to create and "every one is unique and handcrafted".

Ms Murray said the society was "absolutely thrilled" with the result.

"To think they're made from scratch and local materials, and made with such love and care and there's a story behind it," she said.