Launch of inaugural poetry and writing competition

Get writing for the first-ever Mayor’s Poetry and Writing Competition.

“The launch of the competition is great for new and seasoned writers alike,” says Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were.

“Writing is a way to share our thoughts and ideas.

“I'm looking forward to hearing a wide range of voices, to listening and learning from a range of different points of view. All of the arts help us see and experience new perspectives.

“I invite you all to put pen to paper, voice to text and tap into your creativity.”

Entries of fiction or poetry can be up to 500 words and must be on the theme ‘This Place I Call Home', drawing inspiration from the City of Onkaparinga’s people or places.

There are three categories:

• Youth: open to young people aged 12 to 17 years (flash fiction or poetry)
• Flash Fiction: open to adults aged 18 years and over
• Poetry: open to adults aged 18 years and over.

Writers can submit one story or piece of poetry per eligible category.

Entries must be lodged online by 5pm, Thursday 31 October.

The competition will be managed and judged by Writers SA, the state’s peak organisation for writers and writing.

To be eligible, entrants must be South Australian residents. Employees and household members of the City of Onkaparinga and Writers SA are not eligible.

Young people under the age of 18 years must have consent from a parent or guardian to enter the competition. A parent or guardian must be available to accompany them when collecting their prize.

Entries longer than 500 words will be disqualified.

Winners will be announced by Onkaparinga Libraries during the week beginning Monday 25 November 2024.

They will receive Writers SA annual memberships and access to one or more workshops:

• Youth prize: a one-year Writers SA membership and a Teen Writers Club term membership (8 x 1.5-hour sessions on Saturday mornings during one school term, facilitated by a local author), valid for 12 months; total prize value $260
• Flash Fiction prize: a one-year Adult Writers SA membership and a 3-hour Writers SA workshop, valid for 12 months; total prize value $240

• Poetry prize: a one-year Adult Writers SA membership and a 3-hour Writers SA workshop, valid for 12 months; total prize value $240.

See the Onkaparinga website for more information.

The inaugural Mayor’s Poetry and Writing Competition is in addition to the Mayor’s Drawing Competition, which is open to young people aged 4 to 12 years.

Young artists should use the theme ‘Where I live. What I love.’

Entries for the drawing competition close 5pm, Sunday 13 October. Artwork will be displayed and the winners announced during the Family Fun Day at Aldinga Community Centre on Saturday 26 October.