Year 9 & 10 Writers

The judges of the Years 9 and 10 Category noted that many of the stories were rather dark – murder, refugees and racism, horror, low self esteem – perhaps a reflection of our times? They also commented on how engaging the narratives were, maintaining reader interest and developing suspense and tension.

Overall, the writing was technically correct with sophisticated use of language.

• Winner: The Whales by Penelope Robson, Canberra Grammar School
• Highly Commended: The Family Over the Fence by Colette Paterson, Merici College
• Judges’ Choice: The Exam by Julia Murphy, Mount Stromlo High School
• Speculative Fiction Award: The Hunting of the Hart by Saskia Meir, Canberra Girls Grammar School

• Layla Brady, Canberra Girls Grammar School – Tiny Red Hearts
• Lachlan Canning, Mount Stromlo High School – Untitled
• Tessa Chancellor, Trinity Christian School – Lonely Milkshake
• Taylor Dawes, Namadgi School – Laan Saao and Yaai
• Han Do, Lyneham High School – What I Learnt without You
• Maria Fischer, Alfred Deakin High School – Untitled
• Zara Ford, Canberra Grammar School – Gone Squatching
• Chelsea Gibson, Canberra High School – Violence and Loss
• Georgie Hannan, Lyneham High School – The Dream World
• Lily Koeford, Amaroo School – Through a Child’s Eyes
• Samantha Lawson, Namadgi School – Greed
• Amna Lone, Amaroo School – The Red Feather
• Hayley Matthew, Amaroo School – Memories of Murder
• Maryam Mobini-Kesheh, Lyneham High School – Untitled
• Lauren O’Daly, Daramalan College – From the Window Seat
• Dhara Petruschenko, Mount Stromlo High School – Safe Place
• Ryan Prichard, Canberra High School – Fireplace
• Olivia Rawson, Harrison School – Witch’s Den
• Alex Robins, Lyneham High School – False God’s Hymn
• Manya Sharma, Mount Stromlo High School – Fairy Godmother
• Freya Spring, Merici College – The Dishes She Did Alone
• Liam Thompson, Melrose High School – Frank the Farting Flathead
• Fabienne Tobler, Namadgi School – At the Hands of God
• Pepper White, Lyneham High School – Flesh and Blood
• Breanna Vanhala, Namadgi School – Our End
• Aislin Wilson, Canberra High School – Reflections of Deception
• Elijah Witchalls, Canberra High School – A Presidential Muckraking
• Nicole Wright, Namadgi School – Yesterday Began Tomorrow

ACTATE thanks the years 9 and 10 category judges, Janet Rickwood and Dennis Flannery, for their time and expertise. Janet and Dennis are both English teachers, ACTATE life members, and former ACTATE presidents and school principals.