Young Indigenous writers published overseas

Two Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will have their books published after winning the inaugural Young Indigenous Writers Awards.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today congratulated Teighan Macdonald, 11, from Wulguru State School and Wyatt Bunn, 11, from Finch Hatton State School, who were chosen from more than 25 entries across Mackay and North Queensland.

“The quality and volume of entries received was outstanding and the students obviously enjoyed writing and illustrating their books around this year’s theme of nature,” Mr Welford said.

“The awards are about exposing Indigenous children to literacy either in the classroom or at home.

“By providing the students with opportunities to express themselves creatively, we heighten their interest in literature and storytelling.

“The Indigenous students’ work will receive international exposure because it will be published through Canadian company Trafford Publishing.

“The books will be available in mid-December on the Internet, through Barnes and Noble and all major booksellers. The winners will have their own web page and will be archived in the National Archives of Canada.”

The Young Indigenous Writers Awards were run through the Townsville Learning and Engagement Centre and were open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 3 to 7 attending a state school in the North Queensland and Mackay Whitsunday Education Queensland regions.

All participants were required to write and/or illustrate a book between 8 to 16 pages in length. One regional winner was chosen from each regional shortlist.

North Queensland shortlist
Teighan Macdonald – Wulguru State School – Camping in the National Park
Hope Elston – Wulguru State School – Industrial Park
Maddison Moulds – Bohlevale State School – Nature is Found
Sophee Savage – Mundingburra State School – Forest Savers

Mackay/Whitsunday shortlist
Wyatt Bunn – Finch Hatton State School – Eco Fighter
Danielle Buethke – Beaconsfield State School – The Horrible Mess
Bronwyn Petterwood – Beaconsfield State School – The Injured Turtle
Jarrod Freeman – Gargett State School – Fish in the Yabby Net

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000