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.
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.
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 closed on Sunday 28 April at 11.59pm.
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