Now in its 15th consecutive year, this year’s Young Writers’ Competition challenge called for students across the Northern Beaches to submit a short story featuring the word ‘crystal’.
In a first for the competition, entrants were able to submit their works in different creative formats, including comics, illustrations and poems.
More than 400 remarkable entries were received, showcasing an array of talent and ingenuity. After narrowing them down to twenty-four finalists, guest author judges based their final decisions on originality, plot and use of language.
Winners’ awards were officially presented by Mayor Sue Heins and author judges at a special presentation at the Northern Beaches Council Chambers on Sunday 28 July.
Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists!
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
All 24 finalists’ stories feature in the 2024 Young Writers’ Competition eBook ‘Crystal’ which is available in the Library’s collection.
Thank you to all the students who entered this year’s competition. For those interested in entering next year, our finalists have offered the following advice:
“My advice would be to write about what you’re interested in and what inspires you” - Lillian Hamilton, Winner of Year 11-12 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” - Lucas Toms, Winner of Year 9-10 Category.
We look forward to seeing what wonderful stories next year’s competition brings!
Enquiries: 8495 5028 or libraryprograms@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au