Record Entries for Writing Awards 30th Anniversary

Record Entries for Writing Awards 30th Anniversary

Entries have closed and a record number have been received for the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Writing Awards Taranaki’s premiere literary competition.

South Taranaki District Council (STDC) Libraries and Cultural Services Manager, Cath Sheard says a bumper 237 entries were received across five categories.

“This is our highest number of entries yet and is so appropriate given we are celebrating the Award’s 30th anniversary,” says Cath.

“When the awards first started, only secondary school students in South Taranaki could enter, whereas today the competition is open to anyone throughout Taranaki. This year seven High Schools participated and half of the entries are from outside South Taranaki,” she says.

“A number of entries in the open section were also from past secondary school participants returning to enter the competition as adults,” says Cath. “It’s fantastic seeing our young writers continuing to develop their literary skills as adults,” says Cath.

There are five categories in the Awards; The Secondary School Poetry and Short Story categories, the Open section Poetry and Short Story categories and the Secondary School Research Article category – the winner of which receives a one year subscription to the Taranaki Daily News and $500.

Entries are now being reviewed by the Judges; Matt Rilkoff (Research Article), Apirana Taylor (Poetry) and Rachel Stedman (Short Story/Drama Script).

Finalists will be announced on 20 September followed by the Awards ceremony which is being held on 25 October at the TSB Hub in Hawera.

ENDS

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