Winning Young Writers

TODAY the Scone Literary Festival announced the winners of the inaugural Scone High School Writing competition, which was won by Kaitland Parker, a year 12 student from Scone Grammar School.

Kaitland Parker winner of the Scone High School writing competition.

The competition was judged by Rosalie Ham, the author of the best selling book The Dressmaker.

Ms Ham said Kaitland’s story was evocative with a great resonance.

“Stargazers’ is both well written, subtle and engaging,” said Rosalie Ham.

“The author uses literary devices and is descriptive though doesn’t use extraneous words,” she said.

“It’s also an evocative story, emotive with a sense of tension and ‘mystery’,” she said.

“A simple story with great resonance,” said Ms Ham.

Second prize was awarded to Phoebe Farley, a year 9 student from Scone High School and third place was awarded to Ella Murray, a year 9 student from Muswellbrook High School.

Encouragement awards were also given to Madelaine Rose of Scone Grammar School, Milarni-Rose Cloake and Lucy McGrath of Scone High School.

Ms Ham said the competition it was good to see young people with a good grasp of language.

“The process of employing imagination to express ideas, then crafting those ideas to communicate emotions and information well is a skill we employ a lot,” said Ms Ham.

“It’s good to see kids are still celebrating that skill despite the way language and communication is changing,” Rosalie Ham said.

The young writers will have the opportunity to meet Ms Ham when they are presented with their cheques and certificates at the Scone Literary Festival’s Soiree in the Gardens next Saturday.

There will also be a special outdoor screening of the film “The Dressmaker”.

• WHEN: 7:30pm, Saturday, November 11.
• WHERE: Scone Arts and Crafts, Kingdon Street, Scone.
• COST: $5 per person for the screening with children under 15 years of age admitted for free.

For more information on the Festival visit: Scone Literary Festival.