Young Writers Award

Next date: Thursday, 05 March 2026 | 12:00 PM to Friday, 28 August 2026 | 05:00 PM

Young Writers Award

Calling all young storytellers from Prep to Year 12, including multi-class students across the Swan Hill district!

This is your chance to shine and showcase your creative writing talents.

Create a narrative based on this year’s theme:  
When the door opened…

  • Primary students may submit stories up to 500 words.
  • Secondary students up to 800 words.
  • Entries, typed or handwritten, should fit on a single A4 page and may include simple illustrations.
  • Schools are invited to submit their top five entries in each of the categories listed below.
  • Prizes will be awarded to winners and shortlisted entries across eight 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).
  • A People’s Choice Award will also be presented, with voting held on the library’s Facebook page.
  • A Best Handwriting Prize will be awarded in the junior categories.
  • All winners will be announced during Children’s Week, with a special presentation at Swan Hill Library on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 7pm.
  • Shortlisted entries will be displayed in the library throughout November 2026.

Prompt

When the Door Opened…

When the Door Opened…

One day, you discover a door you’ve never seen before.

It could be in your house, your school, your neighbourhood, or somewhere completely unexpected.

When you open it and step through, what do you see?

Where does the door lead?

Who or what do you meet there?

Does stepping through change you, or the world you came from?

What happens when the door closes behind you?

Write a story describing what happens when you step through the door.

You are to write a narrative – a made up story up to 500 words (primary) 800 words (secondary)

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.

Prizes

Prizes!!

Grade Prep

  • Winner – $50 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Commended – $30 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Handwriting – $30 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card

Grade 1/2

  • Winner – $50 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Commended – $30 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Handwriting – $30 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card

Grade 3/4

  • Winner – $60 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Commended – $40 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Handwriting – $40 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card

Grade 5/6

  • Winner – $60 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Commended – $40 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card
  • Handwriting – $40 Showbiz Cinema Gift Card

Year 7/8

  • Winner – $150 eftpos Card
  • Commended – $100 eftpos Card

Year 9/10

  • Winner – $150 eftpos Card
  • Commended – $100 eftpos Card

Year 11/12

  • Winner – $200 eftpos Card
  • Commended – $150 eftpos Card

Multiclass

  • Winner – $150 eftpos Card
  • Commended – $100 eftpos Card

People’s Choice Award

  • $50 eftpos Card

Submit your entry

  • Entries can be delivered to the library or submitted to library@swanhill.vic.gov.au by Friday, 28 August 2026. Please include the students name, grade, and school.

When

  • Sunday, 01 March 2026 | 12:00 AM - Friday, 28 August 2026 | 05:00 PM

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