The annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are open once again, and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is strongly urging young poets to throw their hat in the ring.
“The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are the perfect opportunity for school students in my electorate to get creative and put pen to paper,” Mr Coulton said.
“Based in Gunnedah, these awards are run by members of the community who are dedicated to the promotion of Dorothea and her works. This national poetry competition is named in her honour.
“The competition was hugely popular last year, with more than 8,500 students entering. I encourage students in my electorate to have a go at writing an award-winning poem.”
Mr Coulton said the optional theme for 2019 is ‘Is there anybody there?’ – a line from the poem ‘The Listeners’ by Walter De La Mare, a famous British poet.
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards is Australia’s largest and oldest poetry writing competition. Entrants will go in the running to receive up to $500 in prize money and $1,000 for schools, as well as prize packs including a trophy book collection.
Entries close 30 June 2019. Results are expected to be announced in early September. More information is available at www.dorothea.com.au/How-to-Enter-awards