Northern Beaches Council congratulates all the winners and finalists of this year’s Northern Beaches Young Writers' Competition.

Now in its eleventh year, the competition is open to students from kindergarten to Year 12. The challenge this year was to write a short story based on the theme ‘splash’.

The winners and finalists were announced in a special award presentation, streamed live to the winners, finalists and their families at home. 

Mayor Michael Regan said he was amazed at the depth of talent and passion of young writers on the Northern Beaches.  

“This year we received 550 amazing stories. Our hard-working judges had a really difficult time whittling the field down to 24 finalists and ultimately six winners.

“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. The presentation of the awards this year was under very different circumstances to previous years, but that didn’t stop us celebrating some very imaginative and inspiring stories from our young writers.”

Reflecting the tumult so far in 2020, many stories portrayed strong themes of isolation, illness, mental health, oppression and self-preservation.

However, despite the times, others were uplifting and inspiring, and were about adventures of the imagination, travel, under the sea, wild animals, pirates and weather.

All winners, finalists and their short stories can be viewed on Council’s website.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678