The annual competition was launched by the memorial society on Friday, with the optional theme of 'Is anybody there?'

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Poetry awards project officer Brittany Riley said inspiration could be found "anywhere".

"In the last year, Ive seen poems on all sorts of subjects - places, the weather, family drama, animals, loneliness, colour, happiness, conflict, love, cultural issues such as racism and so many more," she said.

"The possibilities are endless."

Ms Riley is hopeful local schools and kids will make a big effort to enter the competition this year, with plenty of helpful resources available online.

"Coming into this job last year, I was surprised to see that not many local, north-west schools entered," she said.

"I know there are writers in this town and Im really hoping local students will take the leap. You dont have to enter with the school as the competition has the option for individual entry separate from the school."

The project officer said it would be a highlight if a local student was recognised in this year's competition.

"This is a massive competition in little ol Gunnedah, and I would love to see a local student win and gain national recognition," she said.

"Its very fitting for a Gunnedah student to draw creative inspiration from the lands that Dorothea herself did."

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Ms Riley said it was important for students to know that the poetry is not as difficult as some of them may think.

"It doesnt have to rhyme," she said.

"One thing the judges and myself agree on is that free-form is a very effective and modern poetry technique.

"Have a look through last years winners and youll see that barely any of them rhymed and still won."

Entries close on June 30.

To find out more about entering the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards, click here.