The annual awards will draw almost 100 people from around Australia to The Civic on September 1 at 10am.

More than 9000 entries were received for the poetry competition this year, with around 300 contributed by local schools including Gunnedah South Public School, Curlewis Public School, Carinya Christian School, and Gunnedah High School.

“We had a record number of local entries this year,” awards project officer, Ruth Macaulay said.

Ms Macaulay said she was looking forward to the event she has been working towards since her employment in February.

"I’m really excited,” she said.

“It will be great to meet all the winners.

“The winning entries were very high standard. I was really impressed with all the winning entries.”

This year the primary categories of the competition were judged by Leonie Tyle and Katherine Bateson who are well-known in children’s publishing. The secondary categories were judged by popular children's author, James Roy. Ms Tyle and Ms Bateson will be attending the awards event.

The trophies are once again a unique work of art – a hand-blown glass globe wrapped in wire, positioned on a wooden base featuring a map of the world. The trophies were created by Gulargambone-based artist Alison Dent and support this year’s optional poetry theme of “All over the world”.

Special guests at this year’s event will include Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and awards patron the Honourable Margaret White OA.

Deborah Cheetham from Short Black Opera founder will be the guest speaker and some of her students will perform. St Mary’s College stage band will also provide entertainment.