Students of the Midwest and Gascoyne let’s get creative with poetry and prose. The Randolph Stow Young Writers Award (RSYWA) competition will be open from 28 April to 5pm Friday 4 July 2025.
The writing competition is organised by the Geraldton Regional Library and is open to all students from Year’s Three to Year Twelve who live or study within the Midwest and Gascoyne Regions. 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. 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 their 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 2026 further encouraging their creative writing skills. See the terms and conditions on the entry form for the details.
Students shortlisted 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 night together with an invitation will be sent out once judging has been completed.
The winning entries are compiled into a booklet, which will be available for purchase from the Library. A complimentary digital copy is provided to schools with winning entries. Highlights of the presentation night may be 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.
Entries need to be received by the Library by 5pm Friday 4 July 2025. Late entries cannot be accepted.
SUBMIT YOUR RSYWA 2O25 ENTRIES HERE