2011 Banjo Paterson Writing Awards Winners
This year 280 entries were received in the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards with 128 Prose or Short Story entries, 76 in the Open Poetry, 44 in the Bush Poetry and 32 in the Children's section. This is a huge increase on the number of entries received in recent years. Orange City Librarian Elizabeth Barry said human relationships featured in many entries as well as Mother Nature, rain, storms and animals across all the sections of the competition.
The winning prose entry title The Magpie Lucky Dip was a great example of vivid storytelling with well developed characters that takes you to a particular moment. While the second placed entry The Snake was well written, quirky and funny with a delightful twist and the third placed story Jack and the Jillaroo was a lovely rural story.
Ms Barry said the Awards recognise Orange's literary history and further encouraged writers to develop their craft. Ms Barry congratulated all the entrants and was pleased to announce the following winners:
Short Story:
1. The Magpie Lucky Dip by Brian Yatman, Erskineville, NSW (Prize $ 1,000)
2. The Snake by Jane Lawler, Prahran, VIC ($400)
3. Jack and the Jillaroo by Trudi Refshauge, Woodstock, NSW ($200)
Bush Poetry
1. The Ghost of Old Ted by Wendy Enchelmaier Whiteside, QLD ($500)
2. Lorraine Carew by Ellis Campbell, Dubbo, NSW ($200)
3. The Battler by Sandy Thorne, Lightning Ridge, NSW ($100)
Open Poetry
1. Orpheus in the Desert by Jo Mills, Greenmount, WA ($1,000)
2. Three Monologues by Ron Stevens, Dubbo, NSW ($400)
3. Saddle Dreaming by Vanessa Page, Rosewood , QLD ($200)
ABC Central West Radio Children's Writing Awards
1. Poem Black Temper by Adam Weitzer, Caulfield South, Melbourne, VIC ($200)
2. Story Traces of Tomorrow by Jesse Lyon, Orange, NSW ($100)
3. Story Annie and the Shed Mystery by Chloe Petersen, Portland, NSW ($100)
The Yvonne Zola Encouragement Award goes to Bec Hobden, Orange, NSW for her poem Falling to our Knees …We're Proud Australians.