Thursday, 30^th June 2016 the presentation of awards for this competition was held from 10.30 am at the Shire Council Chambers.

We had 145 entries this year, which was down on 2015, but all competitions vary from year to year.

The competition is open for children residing in the Shire, aged from 6 – 18 years. Nearly all the schools in the shire participated.

The competition is not set school work. There is no topic, no spelling or grammar restrictions are in place. We want the children to write, and not be daunted by trying to spell.

This year the senior, ‘high school entries’ were judged on a criterion that looked at grammar, spelling, plot, etc.

The stories were varied; they caught the judge’s attention, and entertained. Choosing winners was just as difficult as previous years. Many children enter each year and it is a pleasure to see their writing skills developing.

Judges were Olga Mary Savage, Mavis Hayes, Councillor Danielle Brice and Louise Falcioni. Unfortunately Helen Kay and Yvonne Thomson were unable to attend. Our president Rosie Toth was delayed, but Mavis happily stood in.

Mayor Lindsay Brown, said that he enjoyed presenting prizes at this function, as children’s writing is very dear to him. The children certainly were relaxed and happily posed for photos. As usual a delicious morning tea was served. Children, family, and friends chatted happily.

Eurobodalla Writers supplied gifts vouchers of $25 from Moruya Book shop, as Encouragement Awards for each age group. We also presented a Perpetual Shield. EWG Member, Mavis Hayes presented the Syd Hayes Creative Writing Award. This was a handmade wooden pen, crafted and donated by Richard Turley. The wood came from Meringo .

Louise Falcioni

Eurobodalla Writers Group 30^th June 2016