Young Indigenous writers gain international audience

Six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will have their books published internationally as winners of the Young Indigenous Writers Awards announced by the Minister for Education, Training and the Arts, Rod Welford, in Townsville today.

Mr Welford congratulated the winners who were chosen from among 85 entries from16 North Queensland state schools at a special event at the Riverway Arts Centre.

“These students have shown imagination, skill and commitment to write and illustrate their own original stories,” Mr Welford said.

“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 Me, Myself and I.

“Interest in the writing competition has surged this year with more than three times the number of entries received than last year, when it was first held.

“The awards are about exposing Indigenous children to literacy, and with this week being National Literacy and Numeracy Week, it’s an ideal time to showcase the excellent work being done by students.

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

The students’ work will be published through Canadian company Trafford Publishing and available in mid-December on the Internet and from major booksellers. The winners will have their own web page and their work archived in the National Archives of Canada.

Winners in each category also receive a laptop computer, $200 book voucher and trophy and their school receives $500 towards the cost of activities for Indigenous students.

The Young Indigenous Writers Awards are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 3 to 7 attending state schools in North Queensland and Mackay Whitsunday regions. Students were required to write and illustrate by drawings or photographs an eight to 16-page book.

Twenty entries came from the Mackay Whitsunday region, 41 from Townsville district and 24 from Mount Isa district, including six from Normanton. A list of winners follows.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985

Young Indigenous Writers Awards Winners 2008

North Queensland regional award, photographic category: Me, Myself and My Precious Memories by Kimberley Marshall, Year 7, Healy State School, Mount Isa.

North Queensland regional award, remote category: A day in the life of Jasmine a Richmond girl, by Jasmine Carson, Year 5 at Richmond State School, Richmond.

Mackay-Whitsunday regional award, photographic category: This book is about my life – Me, Myself and I by Ariel Horne, Year 6, Clermont State School, Clermont.

Mackay-Whitsunday regional award, illustrated category: About my family, friends and I by Joneece Bickey, Year 7, Andergrove State School, Mackay.

Townsville District award illustrated category: I am by Cyra Burns, Year 7, Heatley State School, Heatley.

Mount Isa District award illustrated category: The Sacred Rock by Larrae Lucas, Year 6, Sunset State School, Mount Isa.