Mayor Lindsay Brown and the competition judges from Eurobodalla Writers’ Group presented the 16 finalists from local primary and high schools with their prizes, including a beautifully presented anthology of their work. 

Cr Brown said the judges were delighted with the 255 entries and their quality.

"Council would like to congratulate the young authors whose stories are published in the anthology," he said.

"It’s a very special publication that captures their diversity of talent and imagination and is a wonderful memento for the winners and their families."

Cr Brown said the anthology would be available at our local libraries for everyone to enjoy. 

The competition’s judges were Helen Kay, Olgamary Savage, Councillor Danielle Brice and two Eurobodalla Writers’ Group representatives, Mavis Hayes and Louise Falcioni.

The Mayor handed out the prizes in front of families, friends and teachers and council’s general manager Dr Catherine Dale and library staff. 

As well as the anthology and a $50 book voucher from Moruya Books, Thomas Brown received the Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award of a Grey Banksia pen, crafted and donated by Mr Richard Turley of Moruya. This award was presented to Thomas by Councillor Fergus Thomson, Mavis Hayes and Richard Turley in honour of local writer Syd Hayes and his contribution to creative writing.

5 – 6 years:  Eva Barker, Stella Lloyd-Jones and Claudia Taylor.

7 – 8 years: Ruby Efraeson, Stephie Ovingto and Jacob Bartusch-Rice.

9 - 11 years: Sarah Burnes, Alex Martin, Oliver Dolphin and Bonnie Rouch.

12 – 14 years: Thomas Brown, Holly Last and Emma Floreani

15 – 16 years: Molly Bleaney, Daisy Ware and Cara Earlam.