Moorabool Shire Libraries and local writers Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall are proud to announce the seventh annual Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards. These awards aim to promote a love of writing in the shire, and will recognise the finest young writers in the district. The competition will be open from 10 March to 28 April with winners announced on 14 June at an afternoon tea held in conjunction with the Peter Carey Short Story Award.
Your story begins, involves or ends right where you are, right here, right now, in this exact place where anything is possible!.
Entrants in the Prep to 2 category will need to complete a picture prompt involving a map.
Entrants in Years 3 to 12 will need to write a Moorabool place/location/landmark into their story.
Four lucky winners (selected at random) will win a book pack for themselves and a book pack for their classroom.
Emergent Writers Awards: (Must be in Grades Prep, 1 or 2)
Complete the picture prompt.
Four lucky winners (selected at random) will receive a Picture book pack for themselves and a Picture book pack for their classroom (including 1 x CBCA 2025 book week nominee) (Valued at $50 each).
The picture prompt for this category will be made available in February 2025.
Stories will be judged in three categories and are open to all those who meet the age requirements, AND who work, live, or study in Moorabool Shire. Both a winner and a runner-up will be awarded for each category
1. Middle Primary Awards (Grade 3 and 4)
Short Stories up to 1000 words Winner: $100 Runner-up: $50
2. Upper Primary Awards (Grades 5 and 6)
Short Stories up to 1000 words Winner: $100 Runner-up: $50
3. Secondary Awards (Years 7 to 12, or under 18)
Short Stories up to 3000 words Winner: $200 Runner-up: $100
Moorabool Primary School Prize:
- A local Moorabool Primary schools (based on number of entries v pro-rata number of students) will win an Author Talk. (Valued up to $1000, this workshop will take place in March 2026)
Submissions close on Monday 28 April at 5pm and will be accepted in person at Ballan Library, Lerderderg Library, the Rural Library Van or online via the Moorabool Shire Council website. Entries must be typed and will be judged blind, so please, no names on your work—just be sure to attach the entry form provided. Each child may enter one story and entry is free.
All winning stories will be displayed in both Ballan Library and Lerderderg Library after the awards.
—Jem Tyley-Miller and Wayne Marshall in partnership with Moorabool Shire Libraries
Please note: The link to enter these awards online will go live on Monday 10 March 2025.