Moorabool Young Writers Awards 2024

Overview

What is the key to your story?

Moorabool Shire Libraries and local writers Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall are proud to announce the sixth annual Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards. These awards aim to promote a love of writing in the shire, and will recognise the finest young writers in the district. The competition will be open from 11 March to 28 April with winners announced on 2 June at an afternoon tea held in conjunction with the Peter Carey Short Story Award.

 

Theme

Primary School Theme: The Key

Entrants must mention a "key” somewhere in their story. They may write about the/a “key” as much as they like. 

Secondary School: What is the key to your story?

Secondary school applicants must be in Years 7 to 12. There is no theme for this category.

 

Categories and Prizes

Four lucky winners (selected at random) will win a book pack for themselves and a book pack for their classroom. 

Emergent Writers Awards: (Must be in Grades Prep, 1 or 2) 

Complete the picture prompt.

Download the Prep to 2 entry form and picture prompt here.(PDF, 4MB)

Four lucky winners (selected at random) will receive a picture book pack for themselves and a picture book pack for their classroom (including 1 x CBCA 2024 book week nominee) (Valued at $50 each).

Stories will be judged in three categories and are open to all those who meet the age requirements, AND who work, live, or study in Moorabool Shire. Both a winner and a runner-up will be awarded for each category 

1. Middle Primary Awards (Grade 3 and 4)

Short Stories up to 1000 words     Winner: $100            Runner-up: $50  

2. Upper Primary Awards (Grades 5 and 6)

Short Stories up to 1000 words     Winner: $100            Runner-up: $50  

3. Secondary Awards (Years 7 to 12, or under 18)

Short Stories up to 3000 words     Winner: $200            Runner-up: $100  

Download Grades 3 to Year 12 entry form here(PDF, 164KB)

Moorabool Primary School Prize:  

  • Two local Moorabool Primary schools (based on number of entries v pro-rata number of students) will win an Author Talk. (Valued up to $1000, this workshop will take place in March 2025)

(PDF, 331KB)Primary School Brief to support participation(PDF, 331KB)

 

Submissions

Submissions close on Sunday 28 April at 11.59pm and will be accepted in person at Ballan Library, Lerderderg Library, the Rural Library Van or online via the Moorabool Shire Council website. Entries must be typed and will be judged blind, so please, no names on your work—just be sure to attach the entry form provided.  Each child may enter one story and entry is free.  

All winning stories will be displayed in the Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh.  

—Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall in partnership with Moorabool Shire Libraries 

 

Terms and Conditions

  1. To be eligible to enter this competition students must be in any year from Prep to 12 (or equivalent) and must work, live, or study in the Moorabool Shire. Moorabool Shire Council Library staff, MSC Councillors, Peter Carey Short Story Awards/Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards organisers, judges and/or their immediate family members are not eligible to enter
  2. Emergent Writers Awards must be in Grades Prep, 1 or 2 and complete the sentence with picture prompt.
  3. In the following categories, entrants must mention a “key” somewhere in their story. They may write about the/a “key” as little or as much as they like.
    1. Middle Primary applicants must be in grade 3 or 4 and enter a story of no more than 1000 words.
    2. Upper Primary applicants must be in grade five or six and enter a story of no more than 1000 words.
  4. Secondary school applicants must be in Years 7 to 12 The story must be no more than 3000 words. There is no theme for this category.
  5. Submissions can be handwritten on typed.
  6. Entries must be submitted in person at Ballan Library, Lerderderg Library, the Rural Library Van or online via the Moorabool Shire Council website by 6PM on Sunday April 28 2024.
  7. If submitting online your story must be saved as a doc, docx or pdf file.
  8. Applications will be judged anonymously. Please do not include your name on your story. It should be on the cover page only.
  9. Parents or guardians must consent to their child entering the competition.
  10. Entries will be independently judged. The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. The judge reserves the right to allocate additional prizes.
  11. Winning stories will be displayed in the library.
  12. Entry is free.
  13. Each child may enter one story only.
  14. Moorabool Shire Libraries are unable to accept entries or notify entrants that do not follow entry guidelines.