Young writer wins top prize | Clarence Valley Community | Stories about People from Clarence Valley

Katelin Hebbard, right, celebrates her win at the Sydney Youth Writing competition with guest speaker, the award-winning poet Brook Emery

GRAFTON Public School student Katelin Hebbard received a fair bit of attention on Monday night when it was announced at a ceremony in Sydney that she had won first prize in the Sydney Youth Writing competition.

The Year 6 student’s winning poem, titled Ancient Rock, was one of more than 1500 in this year’s competition, which is now in its fourth year.

Anna Carmody and Meredith Melville-Jones organised the event and will, for the third time, publish the collection of winning entries.

“Each year we give the children two words which must appear in their stories,” Meredith said.

“This year our collection is Shadow and Rock and previous years were Muffins and Rain and Asphalt and Feathers.”

Both of the organisers are very proud to see the competition is growing, with this year’s event receiving an increase of 500 entries.

“Not only do children love to read stories written by people their own age, but a competition like this also gives them a fabulous opportunity to learn the craft of creative writing at a young age,” Meredith said.

“We are so proud to see young, talented writers like Katelin excel,” Anna said.