Celebrating young creative talent
Pens down, nerves up, on Sunday 9 August, dozens of young authors filled the Dee Why Council Chambers to find out whose stories had 'caught' the judges' attention in the 2026 Northern Beaches Young Writers' Competition.
Hosted by the Northern Beaches Library Service, the event celebrated the creativity and imagination of writers from Kindergarten to Year 12. Now in its seventeenth year, the competition invited entrants to craft an original piece of creative writing inspired by the theme word 'Catch', judged on characterisation, plot, originality and use of language across six age categories.
This year drew almost 400 entries from more than 60 schools across the Northern Beaches and surrounding areas. From the 24 finalists, winners in each category were presented with their awards by Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins.
Among the youngest storytellers, Kindergarten to Year 2 winner Isabella Pereira charmed the room with Hiroko and the Tiny Dragon Pass the Test, proof that big imagination isn’t just for the big kids.
Finalists also had the chance to meet the competition's judging panel of published authors: Ashleigh Barton, Kristin Darell, Lucie Stevens, Samera Kamaleddine, Sarah Brill and Gary Lonesborough, a highlight many said made the day feel truly special.
See the full list of winners, runners-up and highly commended writers, and download the 2026 Young Writers' Finalists eBook, on the Young Writers' Competition page.
Congratulations to every young writer who entered, your stories are what make this competition such a special celebration of creativity on the Northern Beaches.
Keen to see your story published next year?
The Young Writers' Competition returns in 2027 for any Northern Beaches student from Kindergarten to Year 12. There's no better place to start than your local library: browse the shelves for inspiration, chat to library staff, and start dreaming up your next story.
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