The Lambing Flat Fellowship of Australian Writers in Young is once again calling on poets and story-tellers from across the nation to take part in its 43rd annual National Cherry Festival Poetry and Writing Competition a celebration of creativity that has become a cultural institution in the Hilltops region.
Entries are now open and will close on September 19, giving writers young and old just under a month to polish their pieces and submit them for consideration. Entries for the competition have been high this year and organisers are excited to start reading.
First held in 1981, the competition has grown into a cornerstone of the National Cherry Festival, drawing submissions from all Australian states and territories. Co-ordinated by the Lambing Flat branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc, the event is as much about nurturing talent as it is about awarding prizes.
“We don’t just want polished professionals we want people to have a go,” said John Dwyer Treasurer and Competition Coordinator. “We’ve had winners from all walks of life. Every story is read carefully and judged on its own merits.”
A formal launch of the 2025 competition was held at the Young Services Club on June 10, with NSW Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke attending as a guest speaker. Students, teachers, past winners, and local supporters came together to reflect on the program’s legacy and its impact on education, literacy, and confidence-building.
“There’s something powerful about seeing young people discover that their words matter,” said organiser Susan Rolfe. “For many school kids, this competition is the first time their writing is taken seriously.”
A key feature of the competition is its accessibility, especially for students. Entry is completely free for school-aged children, with each student eligible to submit one poem and one short story.
“We’ve always tried to remove any barriers,” said Dwyer. “Writing should be for everyone not just those who can afford it.” This year, organisers responded to feedback from teachers and judges by restructuring the student categories, creating clearer divisions based on age and year level. “It didn’t seem fair to group Year 1s with Year 3s,” Rolfe explained. “Now we’ve tailored the categories so that more kids have a fair shot.”
Adult writers are also encouraged to enter, and over the years, their submissions have led to the publication of several anthologies. These include From Pen to Paper (1992) and Nuggets of Gold (2022), showcasing decades of exceptional story-telling from the region and beyond. “Some of the adult entries have been absolutely out standing,” said Dwyer. “That’s why we’ve published them the quality really deserves a wider audience.”
While there is no set theme, entries must be original and fall within specified word limits. All works are reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges, many of whom are published authors or educators with extensive experience in the literary field. Community support remains the lifeblood of the competition.
The Young Services Club, Penrose Funerals, and South West Slopes Credit Union (SWSB) are among the local sponsors who continue to back the event financially and logistically. “Without our sponsors, this simply wouldn’t happen,” Dwyer said.
“They’ve stood by us for years and we’re incredibly grateful.” The Lambing Flat branch has been active since 1982, making it one of the longest-standing re-gional arms of the Fellowship of Australian Writers. What began as a small community initiative has now become a national contest with hundreds of entries annually. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition took on added significance.
“People were isolated, especially in rural communities,” said Rolfe. “This gave them a creative outlet a reason to sit down and write.” The culmination of the competition will take place at the National Cherry Festival in November, where winners will be announced and awarded in a public ceremony.
“It’s a whirlwind from the launch to the final presentation,” said Dwyer. “There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work phone calls, entries to sort, judging rounds but it’s worth it when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
Entry forms are available from Hilltops Council, Young Cinema, Hilltops Library, the Tourist Office, and the Young Services Club. You can also request one via email at lambingflatfaw.
competitions@gmail.com or by contacting John Dwyer on 0408 699 50* or Helen on 0408 112 622.
Whether you’re a student with a budding imagination or an adult writer with a story to tell, the message from the organisers is clear: pick up a pen and give it a go. “You never know who’s out there reading your words,” Dwyer said. “And sometimes, one good story can change everything.”
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