The creativity and imagination of budding authors was celebrated at the launch of the Braidwood Lions Young Writers Festival.
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The festival aims to give all young people in the Braidwood community the opportunity to share their stories, poetry, essays or opinion pieces. The project encourages young writers to develop their skills and enables them to interact with established authors who will judge their entries.
The initiative was launched at Braidwood Library on Friday, February 14 with festival patron Jackie French, representatives of the Braidwood Central School, St Bede's Primary School, home schoolers, Braidwood Community Bank and Braidwood Lions in attendance.
Jackie French inspired budding writers in an address about the benefits of writing. She said writing enabled people to express themselves, learn to empathise, concentrate, and share their passions. The dedicated author said the children's stories would provide a snapshot of life in Braidwood for decades, if not centuries, to come.
Tommy Gilbert and Orlando Laffan represented St Bede's Primary School and school captain Willough Corby represented Braidwood Central School.
"Writing is hard, it takes a lot of practice to improve, but it is such an important skill for us to learn in our lives," Tommy and Orlando said.
Speaking on behalf of home-schoolers, Judy Knowles said she had to work hard to get her own daughter to participate in the 2018 Young Writers Festival, but convinced her in the end. She said that not only did her daughter find the process rewarding, but when her piece was included in the winner's book her daughter felt empowered.
Braidwood Community Bank manager Nick Fry said the bank took pleasure in being a principle sponsor and congratulated the festival for bringing all those learning together, whether at school or at home, into one common community.
Additionally, Braidwood Lions secretary Laurie Ffrench said the competition would build on the success of the 2018 festival which saw more than 270 entries submitted, a book published containing more than 30 of the best entries, and first and second prizes to each of six age categories.
All school aged children who live or go to school in the 2622 postcode area can enter. Entries close on June 26, with the award ceremony on November 20.
Visit www.braidwoodyoungwriters.com for more information.
