The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society is gearing up for the annual poetry awards.
About 9000 entries were received this year, with local entries from Mullaley Public School, Boggabri Public School, Gunnedah South Public School and Gunnedah High School.
Awards project officer Brittany Riley said NSW dominated the entries and she has sighted a number of “high quality" poems. This year’s optional theme is “I have promises to keep”.
The entries are currently being judged by James Roy, Catherine Bateson and Leonie Tyle.
James Roy writes books for youth and has received accolades including the NSW Premier's Literary Award, NSW Premier's History Prize and WA Premier's Book Award. Catherine Bateson is an award-winning author for children and young adults but started out writing poetry. Leonie Tyle is also involved in literature for children and youth and established Woolshed Press, a children’s literary imprint for Random House Australia.
Awards project officer Brittany Riley said this year’s patron is Susan Duncan who is an author and former journalist .
“She owns Dorothea’s house in Pittwater and we’re really lucky to have her,” Ms Riley said.
Preparations for the awards will ramp up in August, with plenty for Ms Riley to organise in the coming weeks.
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards will be held on August 31 at 10am at the Civic Centre.
