Writing competition to celebrate young talent

Budding young writers are invited to showcase their creative talent at the City’s 35th annual South Perth Young Writers Award (SPYWA), sponsored by Millpoint Caffe Bookshop. Open to students from Year 1 to Year 12 who live or attend school in the City of South Perth, the competition aims to inspire young people to put pen to paper and express their creative ideas through writing. 

Entries will be judged across five age categories by a panel of librarians, writers and children’s literature enthusiasts. The most outstanding entry will be awarded the Christobel Mattingley Bronze Medallion, named after children’s author and founder of SPYWA. After the first round of judging, shortlisted entrants will be invited to a workshop to develop their writing skills and refine their story before moving to the next round. 

City of South Perth Mayor Greg Milner said the City is proud to support young people to develop their literacy skills.
 “The South Perth Young Writers Award is about encouraging children and teenagers to express their imagination and creativity by committing their ideas to paper. 

“We continue to be impressed by the calibre of entries each year, with previous topics ranging from current world events like COVID-19 and the bushfires, to human relationships, to high fantasy and mythical creatures. 

“The ability to express ideas in engaging and entertaining prose is an incredibly important skill for young people as they move through life and I very much look forward to reading this year’s entries.”    

Entries are now open and close at midnight on 2 May 2021. The City will celebrate finalists and announce award winners at a ceremony on Thursday evening 29 July 2021. 

Find out more about SPYWA.