Mayor's Writing Competition

The annual Mayor’s Writing Competition aims to encourage young people who live or go to school in Eurobodalla to get writing.

Each year, young authors between the ages of five and 18 are invited to submit an original work. Entrants can submit a short story, essay, poem, or any style of creative writing as long as the writing adheres to word limits set out in the terms and conditions.

Each year we receive a flood of entries in the form of short stories, poems and essays. To select the prize-winning entries from hundreds of submissions, the judges award the most imaginative and unique plots.

2022 theme: Magic

This year a theme has been selected to provide some extra inspiration. Chosen by Mayor Mathew Hatcher, the theme of 'magic' needs to be incorporated in your entry.

Entries closed

Entries for the Mayor's Writing Competition are now closed.

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher announced the winners on Monday 12 September 2022 and were invited to an award presentation.

Prizes

• Overall winner will receive the Syd Hayes Award.
• Winners in each school year category will receive a $50 book voucher.
• Runners-up in each school year category will receive a $30 book voucher.
• Judge’s certificates of encouragement and special mentions.
• the Judge’s decision is final and only finalists will be contacted.

You can download a copy of the terms and conditions:

• Mayor's Writing Competition Terms and Conditions (209 KB)

2022 finalists

After a magical day of presentations, we can announce that the finalists for the Mayor’s Writing Competition 2022 are:

Years 1-2

Winner: Tuross Head – My Magic Place by Emilia Klekowska

Runner up: The Northern Lights by Xavier Eke

Encouragement: Magic in the Billabong by James Penberthy

Special mention:

• The Icy Day by Taylor Bartulovich
• The Snowy Day by Tommy Dullard
• The Spooky Birthday by Ginger Rixon.

Years 3-4

Winner: Street Magic by Zara McCarthy

Runner up: Reflection by Molly Brewer

Encouragement: Minicoolii by Layla Bailey

Special mention:

• Temple Dinosauria by Jordan Hatcher
• Magic by Elizabeth Hicks
• The Magic TV Remote by Chloe Kay
• Magic to Me by Hayden Paull
• The Magic Ponies by Nyree Redden.

Years 5-6

Winner: The Keys To The Spiritual World by Maizi Minihan

Runner up: The Last Hug by Mahli Killeen

Encouragement: The Magic Pen by Max Kay

Special mention:

• The Shoocoo’s Christmas Problem by Evie Bailey
• Witching Hour by Matilda Clynes
• The Meltdown by Orlando
• The Magic of Tilba by Dali Hone
• The Last Dagon Egg! by Archie Jackson.

Years 7-8

Winner: The Cottage in the Wood by Ruby Southan

Runner up: The Magic World by Ilah Constable

Years 9-10

Winner: The Tale of a Traitor by Bella Morris

Runner up: Tales of Irony by Emma Penberthy

Years 11-12

Winner: Murmuration by Kasarni Small

The 2022 Mayor’s Writing Competition anthology, is available to view in the Eurobodalla Libraries online catalogue.

Thank you to all entrants for their submissions.  We look forward to reading everyone’s new submissions in next year’s competition!

More information

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