Mayor's Writing Competition

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

The award presentation was held on Wednesday 23 October where Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher announced the winners. The overall winner receives the Syd Hayes Award, a handcrafted wooden pen and the Perpetual Shield. Winners in each school year category receive a $50 book voucher. Runners-up in each school year category will receive a $30 book voucher. Judge’s certificates are awarded for encouragement and special mentions.

2024 finalists

After an exciting day of presentations, the winners for the Mayor’s Writing Competition 2024 are:

Kindergarten

Winner - The T-Rex and the Kids by Auska Hay. Judge, Yvonne Thomson said, “Auska’s story was very well done – loved it.”
Runner Up - How Mum and Dad and Lori Found Me by Rosella Ball
Encouragement Award - The Giant Pumpkin Soup by Riley Bartulovich

Years 1-2

Winner - Footprints in the Woods by Alexander Klekowski. Judge, Lynne Babbage said, “Alexander’s story was well written with good vocabulary and expression.”
Runner Up - The Magic Footprint by Charlotte Hatcher
Encouragement Award - The Prisoner of the Legendary Bird by Kaito Hay
Special Mention - His Name is Finn by Iylah Milin, The Tree by Eamonn -Seaford, The Footprint Mystery by Elina Van Heeswyk

Years 3-4

Winner - Fascinating Footprints by Charlotte Ward. Judge, Sharon Halliday said "Outstanding! There’s so much to love about this imaginative and polished story. A professional writer in the making.”
Runner Up - The Magic of Footprints by Johann Dcunha
Encouragement Award - The Legend of the Golden Coconut by Elora Ball
Special Mention - Bobby and the Baby Bearded Dragon by Callum Dawson

Years 5-6

Winner -Whiskers and Wings by Elisha Hill. Judge, Alice Johnson said “Elisha’s skilful characterisation and powers of description immerse the reader in this wonderful story.”
Runner Up - The Great Whale Chase by Violet Turner
Encouragement Award - Fletcher’s Legacy by Charley Proksch
Special Mention - Trust the Tracks by Ebony Berry Footprints by Ayla Smith and A Carbon Footprint by Momoker Tinker.

Years 7-8

Winner - 333 by Evie Bailey. Judge, Carol Dawson said “Evie’s story was captivating, right to the end. I want more of this story!”
Runner Up - The Finish Line by Jemima Lloyd
Encouragement Award - From the Girl You Used to Be by Daisy West
Special Mention - Destruction from Production by Rose Zammit.

Years 9-10

Winner - Footsteps in the Snow by Jaime Roberts. Judge, Toni Cary-Starr said: "Jaimie’s captivating tale unfolds in snowy Russia, transforming a gripping newspaper article into the haunting truth about ten young men tormented by a girl trapped in a cruel arranged marriage. Great storytelling.”
Runner Up - We Caught the Footprints by Kate Patyus
Encouragement Award - The Last Footprint by Bridie Irving
Special Mention - "A" for History by Maya Birks.

Years 11-12

Winner - A Soldier’s Boots by Laila Pratt. Judge, Alice Johnson said “Laila’s poem sophisticated and powerfully wrought depiction of the horror, tragedy and despair of war. Laila's poem is immersive and highly evocative, incorporating powerful use of language and poetic techniques.”
Runner Up - The Desire Path to a Teenage Fantasy by Bradley Hulm
Encouragement Award - A Petal Without Her Flower by Zahlia Kelly
Special Mention - Metaphorical Footprints Musings on Cloudstreet by Reis Gaspari-Nicholls

The 2024 Mayor’s Writing Competition anthology is available to view in the Eurobodalla Libraries online catalogue.

Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award

The Syd Hayes Award recognises Syd Hayes lifelong passion for literacy. Syd did so much to encourage young people to get into writing. This award goes to the overall winner of the annual Mayor’s Writing Competition.

The winner of the 2024 Syd Hayes Award is A Soldier’s Boots by Laila Pratt. Laila was awarded a beautifully handcrafted pen, made by local craftsman, Richard Turley and the Perpetual Shield. The shield will be on display at Moruya High School. Judge, Sharon Halliday said, “congratulations to Laila for creating such a poignant and thought-provoking piece that resonated with all of us on the judging panel. Hauntingly powerful and deeply evocative, A Soldier's Boots, masterfully captures the emotional and physical toll of war. Laila's ability to convey both the rawness of the battlefield and the internal turmoil of the soldier is remarkable”.

The judges were excited by the number of entries received this year. All the Judges agreed, it was a hard decision selecting the finalists and they would like to thank all entrants for their enthusiasm. Well done everyone.

A huge thank you to Richard Turley, for his hand-crafted pen, donated for the overall winner and our 2024 Judges: Lynne Babbage, Caroly Dawson, Sharon Halliday, Alice Johnson, Toni Cary-Starr and Yvonne Thomson.

We look forward to next year’s competition!

More information

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