The Mary Durack Awards are awarded each year to young writers in various age categories who live within the following local government areas: Armadale, Kalamunda, Mundaring and Swan.
This competition is run by the public libraries within these areas and normally takes place in June.
The Award began as a community arts project in 1979, initiated by the public libraries in these areas to encourage young writers and to promote the public library services.
Mary Durack was born in Adelaide on 20th February 1913, but grew up on the Argyle and Ivanhoe stations in the East Kimberley 's of WA. During her lifetime Mary was a prolific writer. Her most well known book is "Kings in Grass Castles", in which she traces her grandfather's epic journey across the continent to WA, where he established pastoral stations in the 1890s. She also wrote about her father, politician Michael Durack in " Sons in the Saddle".
On the 31st of December 1977, Mary was awarded The Order of the British Empire - Dames Commander for her service to literature. She was also honoured with an OBE in 1966 and an AC in 1989. Dame Mary Durack died on the 16th December 1994.
Mary Durack Award Information
To download a entry form,please click here
Who may enter
The Award is open to all children who either reside or attend school in the Shires of Kalamunda and Mundaring and the Cities of Swan and Armadale.
Categories
- Lower Primary Years 1,2,3
- Middle Primary Years 4,5
- Upper Primary Years 6,7
- Lower Secondary Years 8,9,10
- Upper Secondary Years 11,12
Guidelines for Entrant
- There is a limit of two entries per child
- Entries are prose only, not poetry.
- Entries should preferably be on A4 paper, and should be in type, pen or dark pencil.
(If a typewriter or word processor is used, this should be entirely the child's work.)
- There is a 1500 word limit per entry.
- A completed cover sheet must accompany each entry and names must not appear on the entry pages.
- The judges are looking for original ideas. Try to avoid using ideas you have seen on television or read in a book.
- Illustrations are permitted, but will not necessarily influence the judge' decisions.
Prizes
A first, second and third prize will be awarded in each category.
Winners in the Lower Primary category will receive a certificate, trophy, and a book prize.
Winners in the Middle and Upper Primary category's will receive a certificate, trophy and a cash prize of $80.00 for first place, $60.00 for second place and $40.00 for third place.
Winners in the Lower and Upper Secondary category's will receive a certificate, a trophy and a cash prize of $120.00 for fist place, $80.00 for second place and $60.00 for third place.
The first place winner in each category will also have their names engraved on a perpetual Mary Durack shield, which will then be displayed in their local library.
Judging and winning entries
Each participating Local Authority arranges a panel of judges. Each Local Authority judges a different category of entries; these categories are rotated every two years. The panel will collectively select the first, second and third place in the category that they judge. Highly Commended Awards can also be awarded at the judges' discretion.
Copies of past finalists stories are kept in each participating library system. These bound copies are not for loan, but may be read in the library.