This year, for the first time, a theme, window, was introduced – every short story, poem or essay must include the word ‘window’.

Great prizes are on offer and the shortlisted stories will be published in the Mayor’s Writing Competition Anthology for 2017.

Mayor Liz Innes said the competition would be judged by a panel from the Eurobodalla Writers Group.

“The judges will be looking for imaginative writing with a unique plot,” she said.

“We just want young people to get writing, be creative and have fun. Let’s communicate.”

Writers aged between age five and 18 can submit any form of creative writing, including short-stories, poems or essays.

There are several age-group categories and all finalists receive a copy of the anthology.

Cr Innes will announce the winners at the council chambers on Thursday, July 27.

Entries and information at the Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma libraries, or online at: www.esc.nsw.gov.au. 

Entries close at 5pm on Friday May 5.