The next generation of storytellers have shown boundless creativity with this year’s theme ‘change’ at the Northern Beaches Council’s 16th annual Young Writers’ Competition.
The challenge of distilling big ideas of change into short, powerful stories led to an exceptional shortlist of twenty-four finalists from more than 400 entries that poured in from students in kindergarten to Year 12.
Mayor Sue Heins presented awards to the winning young authors and applauded the outstanding participation and talent on display. “It’s truly inspiring to see so many young writers embracing the power of storytelling and bravely sharing their unique perspectives.
“The creativity and courage shown by these students remind us all of the importance of change—both in our community and within ourselves.
“Events like this not only encourage literacy, but foster confidence, empathy and a sense of belonging among our young people. Congratulations to every participant, our finalists, and this year’s outstanding winners—your voices are the future of our community,” Mayor Heins added.
Acclaimed authors Debra Tidball, Nick Long, Nat Amore, Yvette Poshoglian, Pip Harry and Harry Cook judged the 2025 competition and praised entrants for their depth, originality and heart evident in every piece.
All 24 finalists’ stories will feature in the 2025 Young Writers’ Competition eBook ‘Change’ on the Northern Beaches Council website.
Winners’ awards were officially presented by Mayor Sue Heins and author judges at a special presentation at the Northern Beaches Council Chambers on Sunday 3 August.
Kindergarten - Year 2, judged by author Debra Tidball
Winner: Mia Bennett for The Nervous Ice-Cream
Runner Up: Christopher Bai for Diary of a Chick
Highly Commended: Josh Asigno for Sam and the Snowy Portal Adventure
Highly Commended: Joey Shen for Invasion
Years 3 – 4, judged by author Nick Long
Winner: Georgia Greenwell for The Drop of Life
Runner Up: Rose Hastie for Emeralds and Diamonds
Highly Commended: Laura Holden for 2 Homes
Highly Commended: Mia Jones for Stella and Scales
Years 5 - 6, judged by author Nat Amore
Winner: Maya Gaffney by Are You Listening?
Runner Up: Emma Kate Cooper for Crumpet’s Little Story
Highly Commended: Abigail McCabe for The Destination
Highly Commended: Kiana O’Farrell for The Clockmaker’s Change
Years 7 – 8, judged by author Yvette Poshoglian
Winner: Moana Chujo for Silent Strings
Runner Up: Jeana Shen for The Currency of Memory
Highly Commended: Eugene Lin for Memories of the Sand
Highly Commended: Evelyn Christopher for Elsie
Years 9 - 10, judged by author Pip Harry
Winner: Alice Surace for The Tides of Change
Runner Up: Zoe Mason for Typing…
Highly Commended: Noah Gonçalves Ferreira for Moonlight Beneath the Sun
Highly Commended: Lok Tin Samuel Shen for Procedural
Years 11 – 12, judged by author Harry Cook
Winner: Maya Reed for Nine Years
Runner Up: Xenia Beck for Just a Notebook
Highly Commended: Annika Mills for Fragments of a Fractured Mind
Highly Commended: Rosanna Robertson for Route 835