Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards
The Randolph Stow Young Writers Award (RSYWA) competition for 2024 has now officially opened. The writing competition is organised by the Geraldton Regional Library and has traditionally been open to all students from Year’s Three to Year Twelve who live or study within the Midwest. In 2024 the Library is very excited to advise that the competition has also been extended to include schools throughout the Gascoyne region.
The Award was named in honour of Geraldton-born and internationally acclaimed writer, Randolph Stow, and was introduced to encourage the creative talents of students in the art of poetry and prose. The Library is hoping you, together with your staff will encourage the students to enter this year’s competition. Since its inauguration in 1989 the Award has continued to gain increasing prestige throughout the region and the state.
The competition is divided into two categories, poetry and prose with each category divided into year levels allowing students’ work to be judged more equitably. Each category of poetry and prose is allowed a maximum of eight winners with the first three places receiving prize money and a certificate. A ‘Certificate of Commendation’ is presented to the remaining finalists. The winner of each category is awarded a perpetual trophy, which is displayed at the school until the end of term 2 of the following year. Two students from Years 6 to 11 will also be given the opportunity to win a complimentary pass to attend The Literature Centre’s, Young Writers Collective Program in 2025 further encouraging their creative writing skills.
Winners nominated for an award together with their families and school staff, will be invited to attend the award ceremony, to be held in August. More information regarding the presentation ceremony together with an invitation will be sent out to schools whose students have been shortlisted once judging has been completed.
Every year winning entries are compiled into a booklet, which will be available for purchase from the Library. A complimentary copy is provided to schools with winning entries. Highlights of the presentation night are published in the Geraldton Guardian and in the past, winning entries have also been included in later editions of the Geraldton Guardian further providing recognition for the student’s work. Winners and acknowledgements will be posted on the Library’s website under Randolph Stow Young Writers Award.
Please note: Entries need to be received by the Library by close of business, Monday 1 July 2024. Late entries cannot be accepted.