Mayor's Writing Competition

This annual competition aims to encourage Eurobodalla's young people to get writing.

Each year, young authors between the ages of five and 18 who live or go to school in Eurobodalla 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.

2023 theme: Change

This year's theme, Change, was selected by Mayor Mathew Hatcher. There were 540 entries from across the shire.

Key dates

• Entries opened on Monday 22 May 2023.
• Entries closed on Friday 25 August 2023, 5pm.
• Winners were announced on Wednesday 25 October 2023.

2023 Winners

Kindergarten

• Winner - Jimmy Sumbak
• Runner up - Beau Hunt
• Encouragement Award - Harvey Bartulovich
• Special Mention:
  • Arizonah Fitzgerald
  • Leo Gross
  • Jamal Mustapha
  • Amarli Ramzy

Years 1-2

• Winner - Taylor Bartulovich
• Runner up - Charlotte Ward
• Encouragement Award - Charlie Campbell
• Special Mention:
  • Evie Killeen
  • Emilia Klekowska
  • James Penberthy
  • Riley Scarrow
  • Harriet White

Years 3-4

• Winner - Elora Ball
• Runner up - Momoka Tinker
• Encouragement Award - Gracie Negus
• Special Mention:
  • Albie Baggs
  • Jordan Hatcher
  • James McGoldrick
  • Riley Newcombe
  • Charley Proksch

Years 5-6

• Winner - Sebastian Mathews-Rendle
• Runner up - Zara McCarthy
• Encouragement Award - Ryder Howes
• Special Mention:
  • Matilda Clynes
  • Kade
  • Archie
  • Lila Weyman

Years 7-8

• Winner - Greg McGoldrick
• Runner up - Michaela Fitzpatrick
• Encouragement Award - Daisy West
• Special Mention:
  • Autumn Bonner-Combes
  • Katalin Patyus
  • Teaq Rose
  • Neve Smart
  • Annika Thorne

Years 9-10

• Winner - Ashley Bell
• Runner up - Ada Harris
• Encouragement Award - Tahj Dimmer
• Special Mentions:
  • Richard Allen
  • Charli Alvey
  • Bronte Eppelstun
  • Reis Gaspari-Nichols
  • Bella Morris

Years 11-12

• Winner - Katie Tegal
• Runner up - Sophie Eppelstun
• Encouragement Award - Joshua Smart
• Special Mention:
  • Kailee Matthewson
  • Emilia Whitla

Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award

• Ashley Bell - Moruya High School

The overall winner of the Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award received:

• a handcrafted pen created by local artist Richard Turley
• the Mayor's Writing Competition Perpetual Shield to display at the winner’s school
• a Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award Certificate.

More information

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

Sponsored by

The 2023 Mayor's Writing Competition was sponsored by Moruya books, Mogo Wildlife Park and Office Choice - Bay Office Supplies.