RSYWA History - 1989 to 2024

The Randolph Stow Young Writers Award (RSYWA) was first inaugurated in 1989 by the Geraldton Mid-West Regional group of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Geraldton Regional Library. The project aims to encourage young writers in the art of creative writing, and to promote awareness and use of the Public Library Service. The Award also recognises the international achievements of Geraldton-born writer Randolph Stow. The Award is open to all children in Years 3 – 12 who reside in, or study within the Midwest Region. There are two categories of creative writing, poetry and prose and each category is divided into year levels to allow judging to be more equitable.  Since its inception, the Award has continued to evolve to become a well-recognised event on the Midwest literary calendar.