The Lambing Flat Young Branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc has conducted its writing competition, in conjunction with the Annual Cherry Festival, since 1983.

Over the years the format has changed, beginning with separate competitions for writing and poetry.

The current format of combining Short Stories and Poetry, for Adults and Students, has been in place for some time.

This year’s competition will be officially launched by the State Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, at the Young Services Club, 16 Cloete Street, Young on Tuesday 10th June 2025, at 11:00am.

Entries will close on 19th September 2025, this has been brought forward by three weeks, to maximise the opportunity for Year 12 students to submit entries.

As has been customary, prize winners will be announced at the 75th National Cherry Festival on Sunday 7th December 2025.

Through the competition, the Fellowship hopes to nurture the skill of writing short stories and poetry, also aiming to provide encouragement to writers to showcase their writing efforts.

It is supported in these endeavours by its sponsors, the Young Services Club, the South West Slopes Bank, and Penrose Funerals.

Additionally, teachers from across Australia support students and coordinate entries from their schools.

This year the competition includes open themed short story and poetry for adult entrants.

Multiple entries are allowed; entry fees apply.

In response to feedback from judges and teachers, the number of Primary School sections has been expanded to include Infants, Years 1-2; Junior Primary, Years 3-4; Primary, Years 5-6.

The Secondary School sections are Years 7-8-9 and Years 10-11-12.

In some sections the word limit has also been increased.

Students are allowed one entry only per section (short story and poetry); there are no entry fees for students.

It has been pleasing to note the improvement in the calibre of student writing skills in poetry and story structure, reflecting the change of format in the literature curriculum. This has been especially so over the past four years.

It is great to see the local schools of the Hilltops region achieving excellent results.

For an entry form, further details and terms and conditions of the competition, please email lambingflatfaw.competitions@gmail.com or contact:

JOHN - 0408 699 507 or HELEN - 0408 112 622

Meanwhile, writing flourishes in the Hilltops.

Members of the Lambing Flat Young Branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc. meet each month at the Young Services Club.

The format of the meeting provides opportunity for everyone to write a short ten-minute exercise, listen to a personal profile, before listening to short stories prepared during the month.

It is an opportunity to give and receive feedback on each other’s writing. This has become an enjoyable and inspirational component of the meeting.

We welcome new members to the writing group, who bring fresh perspectives and add to the rich fabric of the group.

The next meeting will be at the Ibis Room, Services Club, Cloete Street, Young, at 5.30pm on 9th June 2025.

Please contact Jennifer Haynes, President, on 0457 903 240.

SUSAN ROLFE