Local Youth Produce a River of Stories

Young writers rewarded at River of Stories. Photo credit: Write Around the Murray

The organiser of the long-established writing competition for local youth – Albury Hume Rotary Club’s River of Stories has reflected on the success of this year’s event, despite restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

Dedicated Rotarian Barry Young OAM says this year’s student short story and poetry competition presented its challenges, but proved successful.

“It was a nightmare to organise, but we managed a scaled-down version with the great support of the English Departments at all the schools,” Barry said.

The 17th running of the event attracted entries from across the region and was included in the popular Write Around the Murray Festival. Students were invited to submit a Short Story or a Poem relating to the theme of ‘Change’.

“In all we received 220 entries of a high standard and we now cover all primary from years 3-6 and secondary from years 7 – 12,” Barry explained.

The awards ceremony is usually held in the foyer of the Albury LibraryMuseum, but this year was presented in video format, produced by Jacqui Schultz.

Strongly supported by Carina Clement and Narelle Lethlean of the Albury Library Museum, the River of Stories was again sponsored by DymocksHume Bank and the Rotary Club of Albury Hume

Full list of winners and video presentation: https://writearoundthemurray.org.au/competitions/river-of-stories-2020