Young Fraser Coast writers and poets lauded for unleashing their imagination in the Mary Poppins Literary competition
A riot of coloured umbrellas and an explosion of creativity made the presentation of the 2024 Mary Poppins Literary Awards a memorable event for all.
Gatakers Artspace was a scattering of transparent umbrellas with snippets of winning essays and poetry, letters to spell out supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, spoonfuls of sugar treats and Bird Lady packets of food – a scene that owed much to Julie Bushnell of Mary Inc. who created the inter-active displays for students.
Guest speaker Rebecca Dickens, Principal of Maryborough Central, reminded students and parents that imagination was a gift. “How you use it and what you do with it will determine the impact that you have on others through your writing. Continue to share your gift and don’t take the ‘easy way out’.
“Being a lifelong learner by making mistakes and learning from them will make you, in the words of Mary Poppins and P.L Travers, ‘practically perfect in every way!’”
She said that in the digital world where AI was being used to write emails to friends and president speeches, question marks hovered over writing in the future.
“What will happen to the imagination and the wonder that comes from people like P.L Travers and you, the young writers here today? It’s something I often wonder and it humbles me to see wonderful initiatives likes this from Mary Inc. that celebrate writing for what it is – a gift!”
Councillor Sara Faraj and other speakers also spoke enthusiastically about encouraging young people to use their imagination and creativity – two elements at the core of the annual awards supported by the Cherry Tree Foundation in London – a trust set up by Maryborough-born P.L. Travers to encourage students to delve into the realms of fantasy as she did with her books about the famous magical nanny.
Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the awards, the richest in Australia with $2000 in cash prizes for students. Margaret Isles, representing the judging panel, said the 200 entries received showed a marked improvement in standard from previous years, particularly in editing and presentation.
The winners are:
GRADES 3&4,
Literary
1st Archer Lorenz, Riverside Christian College,
2nd Manny Haase, Riverside Christian College,
3rd Lexi Hunter, Kawungan State School
HC Joni Cobbin, St Helen’s State School,
HC Aarav Ajiith, Fraser Coast Anglican College.
Poetry
1st Jennifer Byrne, Saint Mary’s Primary School,
2nd Joel Bounsall, home-schooled,
Joint 3rd Mayella Commandeur, Sunbury State School and Evie Brown, Tinana State School,
HC Joni Cobbin, St Helen’s State School,
HC Sarah Pais, Bayside Christian College,
HC Archer Lorenz, Riverside College.
GRADES 5&6,
Literary
1st Charlotte Lorenz, Riverside Christian College,
2nd Violet Jordaan, home-schooled,
3rd Stephanie White, Riverside Christian College.
HC Indiana Bounsall, home-schooled.
Poetry
1st Charlotte Lorenz, Riverside Christian College,
2nd Indrakshi Fuladi, Fraser Coast Anglican College,
HC Isaac Chambers, Fraser Coast Anglican College,
HC Indiana Bounsall, home-schooled.
GRADES 7, 8 & 9
Literary
1st Charlie Dale, Xavier Catholic College,
2nd Kaya Holloway, Xavier Catholic College,
3rd Grace Ridgley, home-schooled,
HC Mila Skuse Arrevillaga, Aldridge State High School.
Poetry
Sophie Chambers, Fraser Coast Anglican College.
GRADES 10,11 & 12
Literary
1st Cougar Welch, home-schooled,
2nd Rachael Nissen, Hervey Bay State High School.
Poetry
1st Rachael Nissan, Hervey Bay State High School,
Anne Miller Young Writers’ Encouragement Award
Rachael Nissan, Hervey Bay State High School.
*Images show umbrellas displaying excerpts from their entries, Julie Bushnell with the inter-active displays she created, and Mary Poppins (Taylor Dunn) with Rachael Nissen, winner of three prizes including the Anne Miller Encouragement Award.
