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Mayor's Writing Competition

Entries are now closed for the 2025 Mayors' Writing Competition.

We take great pride in this competition, which aims to inspire and motivate young minds. This year's theme, "Friendship", was selected by Mayor Mathew Hatcher.

Close to 400 entries were received for this year's competition. Good luck to everyone who entered.

Key dates

  • We will notify finalists in September 2025.
  • We will announce winners on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.

  • Develop a unique concept and build on it through your story.
  • Create a ‘sparkling start’.
  • Plan a beginning, middle and end; build tension and an interesting problem your characters solve.
  • Share your characters’ changing feelings and goals, so readers care what happens next.
  • Create a plot that is memorable and unexpected (would your friends talk about it?).

  • Use clear, descriptive language that brings readers into your story – call on all five senses and use powerful imagery (similes; metaphors).
  • Build your ‘world’ (setting) with interesting and unique details.
  • Introduce characters with memorable details and have them speak to move the story forward (dialogue).

  • Is your story concept original, interesting and exciting and appealing?
  • Is the theme Friendship incorporated?
  • What’s that ‘special something’ that readers will remember about your story?
  • Does your story help readers learn; make them think; make them laugh and/or cry?
  • Does your story change its characters and/or your readers in some way? If your characters learn a lesson, your readers will too.

Sponsored by:

Bendigo Bank logo
Eurobodalla Council, Eurobodalla Libraries and Mayor's Writing Competition logos

More information

To find out more about this competition contact your local library:

Batemans Bay Library

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
  • Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm
  • Closed Sunday and public holidays

Moruya Library

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
  • Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm
  • Closed Sunday and public holidays

Basil Sellers Exhibition Center (the Bas)

Opening hours

Open Monday to Saturday during exhibitions, 10am - 4pm
Access to the Bas (including ramp access) will be via Murray Street after 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Closed Sundays, public holidays and between exhibitions.

Narooma Library

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
  • Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm
  • Closed Sunday and public holidays