Entries are closing on June 30 and poetry officer Brittany Riley is encouraging schools in the local area to submit their entries before it's too late.

The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society has already received more than 3000 entries for this year's competition, with 45 new registrations over the weekend.

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Ms Riley said every time she checks, there's a "huge jump" in entries and she is answering calls and email left, right and centre.

She is especially excited that local schools are entering this year after she conducted poetry workshops at Gunnedah South Public School, Gunnedah Public School, Curlewis Public School, Carinya Christian School, St Xavier's Primary School and Gunnedah High School.

"[The workshops] were great. The teachers were really lovely and accommodating and the kids were really engaged," Ms Riley said.

Ms Riley said the students had heaps of ideas around the optional theme of 'Is anybody there?' and she helped them write group poems to submit.

She spent at least an hour at each school and helped the students to write group poems to enter into the competition.

"I'm just glad to see some local entries," she said.

"I want a Gunnedah person to win - or get recognition - because it's a Gunnedah competition."

Mr Riley welcomes any questions about the competition, Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-3pm, on 6742 1200 or via dorotheamackellar@bigpond.com

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