Celebrating 15 years of the Young Writers' Competition, the 2024 theme word was 'crystal'.
The Young Writers’ Competition is now in its fifteenth year. 2024 saw hundreds of original creative writing pieces submitted by talented students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The brief was to include any derivation of the theme word, ‘Crystal’ in their entry, and boy, did we receive some gems!
From themes of tragedy and suspense to hope and courage, our young writers captivate and inspire through a brilliant establishment of worlds, conjuring imagery that transports readers to different times and places.
We are taken on humorous, adventurous and reflective journeys of crystal heists, monster battles, fairy tales and escapades with dragons, bears and more across the universe and cosmos.
Each story is filled with authentic characters, lyrical and heartfelt, who convey a strong sense of purpose, power, humour, and innocence. Among the clever twists, ethereal worlds, and great one-liners, we find a great connection to character and unique, crystal-clear messaging.
This year’s winners:
Kindergarten - Year 2, judged by Author Ellie Laing:
- Winner: Jude Custodio for The Heist of the Crystal
- Runner Up: Francesca Mumby for Sunny Sunshine and the Magic Witch
- Highly Commended: Sadie Keep for Georgia and the Missing Horses
- Highly Commended : Lucia Madden for The Dragon Story
Years 3 – 4, judged by Author Samera Kamaleddine:
- Winner: Holly Boulter for Comes and Goes
- Runner Up: Katerina Bennedick for Redfern Station
- Highly Commended: Huxley Geersen for The Wrath of Plutonium
- Highly Commended : Caoimhe Bulcraig for Felicity and the Crystal Maze
Years 5 - 6, judged by Author Carla Fitzgerald:
- Winner: Carina Guo for My Bizarre Odyssey; From Petri Dish to Prankster’s Paradise
- Runner Up: Jeana Shen for Cosmic Echoes Unveiled
- Highly Commended: Maya Gaffney for Nour’s Dream
- Highly Commended: Addison Watson for Crystal Rink Academy
Years 7 – 8, judged by Author Mike Barry:
- Winner: Claire Feng for Crystal Kingdom
- Runner Up: Eve Overend for Fire
- Highly Commended: Zoelle Rayan for Imperfect Perfection
- Highly Commended: Ava Dembiany for How Lucky I Am
Years 9 - 10, judged by Author Maiya Ibrahim:
- Winner: Lucas Toms for The Stars
- Runner Up: Oscar Youman for Conclusive Psychoanalysis of Ms. Lena Kamińska
- Highly Commended : Eamon Cooper for Deceptive Perfection
- Highly Commended : Amelia Way for Spark, Candle, Flame
Years 11 – 12, judged by Author Helena Fox:
- Winner: Lillian Hamilton for Chamomile
- Runner Up: Skye Smale for Stealthy Frankie
- Highly Commended : Lexie McCoy for Liberté
- Highly Commended : Kate Coxon for The Birds Fall in Vesuvius
Council had entrants from over 60 schools on the Northern Beaches, with finalists this year from:
Abbotsleigh, Beacon Hill Public School, Brigidine College St Ives, John Colet School, Manly Vale Public School, Manly Village Public School, Mona Vale Public School, Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College, Newport Public School, Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus, Oxford Falls Grammar, Pittwater High School, Pymble Ladies’ College, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Mona Vale, St Luke's Grammar School and Wenona School.
Council said:
''Thank you to all the wonderful stories submitted for the 2024 Young Writers' Competition. We look forward to reading more in 2025.''
When asked what they think makes a good story Lillian Hamilton and Lucas Toms said:
Lillian Hamilton, Winner of Year 11-12 Category
“My advice would be to write about what you’re interested in and what inspires you.”
Lucas Toms, Winner of Year 9-10 Category
“My advice to you is just to enjoy writing, have fun and take your time. Just do it for the enjoyment and you’ll be great.”
About the Competition
2024 marks the fifteenth year of this competition.
The Young Writers' Competition is an annual competition open to students up to and including year 12 who live or go to school on the northern beaches of Sydney and are members of the Northern Beaches Council Library Service. Students are invited to write an original work of creative writing using the featured theme word for a chance to be published as an author in an eBook.
Entries are judged according to characterisation, plot, originality, and use of language and arranged into six different age group categories.
Four finalists are chosen in each age category and invited to a presentation event with our author judges where a winner, runner-up and two highly commended prizes are awarded. Finalists from each category will have their stories published in an eBook that will be added to our collection, and receive a prize bag and voucher.
