Young Writers Award
Published on 14 February 2025
This is your chance to shine and showcase your creative writing talents. Write a narrative based on this year’s themes:
- Prep – Grade 6: “The Day All the Machines Stopped”
- Year 7 – Year 12 and Multi-class: “The Day Social Media Disappeared”
Primary students can submit stories up to 500 words, while secondary students can write up to 800 words. Typed entries should fit on a single A4 page and may include simple illustrations.
Prizes will be awarded to winners and shortlisted entries across seven categories: Prep, Grade 1/2, Grade 3/4, Grade 5/6, Year 7/8, Year 9/10, Year 11/12, and Multi-class (PSD-funded students).
All winners will be announced during Children’s Week, with a special presentation at Swan Hill Library on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at 7pm. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at the library throughout November 2025.
Submit your entry to library@swanhill.vic.gov.au by Friday, 22 August 2025, including your name, grade, and school.
We can’t wait to read your stories and celebrate your creativity!
“The Day All the Machines Stopped” - Grade Prep - Grade 6
- Imagine waking up one morning and finding that nothing electric or digital works anymore—no TVs, no phones, not even lights!
- How would your family cook food, talk to friends, or get around?
- Write a story about how you and your friends find creative ways to solve these problems and make the best of this new world.
You are to write a narrative – a made up story up to 500 words (primary school students)
"The Day Social Media Disappeared" - Year 7-12 & Multi-class
- Imagine a world where no one under 16 can use social media anymore - no more scrolling, liking, or chatting online.
- How do kids spend their time instead? Do they discover new hobbies, explore nature, or create new ways to stay connected with friends?
- Write a story about how you and your friends adapt to this new rule and what surprising adventures or discoveries come from living without social media.
You are to write a narrative – a made up story up to 800 words (secondary school students)
Thinking about your story and reader
Thinking about your story
- Who are the characters in my story?
- Where and when does the story take place?
- What is the problem or conflict in the story?
- Use an interesting way to start and finish the story.
Thinking about your reader
- Make your writing interesting and write clearly.
- Select your words carefully (use WOW words and interesting vocabulary).
- Write your sentences correctly (word order).
- Ensure you check punctuation and spelling.