The winners of this year's Young Writers Competition were announced on Wednesday 10th August at the Community Room, above Warringah Mall Library.
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan gave out awards to aspiring writers, encouraging a new generation to spill ink in the name of humanity with 12 young writers being highly commended from grade K2 to Year 12.
Now in its thirteenth year, the challenge this year was to write a short story based on the theme ‘rise’… and rise to the occasion they did!
Mayor Michael Regan said he was amazed at the depth of talent and passion of young writers on the Northern Beaches.
“2022 saw hundreds of stories written by talented students on the Northern Beaches from kindergarten to grade 12. It was terrific to see such a diverse range of uplifting, creative interpretations of the ‘rise’ theme. Our young writers found inspiration in nature, new life, climate change, the beauty and darkness of humanity, the importance of facing your fears and rising to challenges.
"I would like to acknowledge and thank the judges who had the very difficult job of selecting 24 finalists as well as the many teachers, school librarians and parents who inspire a love of literacy in our young people," Mayor Regan said.
The Young Writers' Competition is an annual competition open to students up to and including year 12 who live or go to school on the Northern Beaches and are members of the Northern Beaches Council Library Service. Entries are judged according to characterisation, originality, plot and use of language. Stories are arranged into six different age group categories with highly commended, runner up and winner.
This year's Northern Beaches Young Writers’ Competition has produced hundreds of rising aspiring writers.
Northern Beaches Council congratulates all the winners and finalists, who were announced yesterday evening. All 24 winning stories are available as an eBook from the Libraries’ website. Northern Beaches Council congratulates all the winners and finalists, who were announced yesterday evening. All 24 winning stories are available as an eBook from the Libraries’ website.
Year 12
Highly Commended Jared Kimpton
Highly Commended Maeve Cox
Runner Up Rommi Cleaves
Winner Ruby Mascarenhas
Year 9- 10
Highly Commended Tara Banks
Highly Commended Sappho Appel
Runner Up Jeremy Lee
Winner Lillian Hamilton
Year 7-8
Highly Commended Emily Euers
Highly Commended Carla Anderson
Runner Up Alice Surace
Winner Lauren Kuiper
Year 5-6
Highly Commended Georgia Snape
Highly Commended Jennifer Delohery
Runner Up Dylan Yoon
Winner Anouk Hayes Blac
Year 3-4
Highly Commended Matisse Hayes Black
Highly Commended Eva Vasilangos
Runner Up Rebecca Liu
Winner Frankie Boulter
Year K2
Highly Commended Grace Smith
Highly Commended Darcy Richmond
Runner Up Ashley Smith
Winner Neve Morris
Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 02 8495 6943.
Please see below for quotes from finalists.
Click here for images.