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Writing and photography competitions open for entries

July 25, 2006

camera and quillSharpen those pencils and dust off those lenses. Services UNE is once again taking entries for its annual short story and photography competitions. There is $1000 in prizes up for grabs, not to mention the kudos that comes with winning a prestigious local competition.

Last year's competitions attracted 20 entries in the short story section and more than 50 in the photography section. The judges included local novelist Wendy James, whose novel Out of the Silence was published last year to national critical acclaim, and Armidale Express photographer Tim Barnesly. A new prize, the People's Choice Award, was introduced in the photography section and decided by popular vote.

“The People's Choice Award went down really well last year, and we'll definitely be awarding it again in 2006,” said competition organizer Tanya Graham.

Last year's sponsors United Campus Bookshops and The Armidale Express are back for another year. United Campus Bookshops manager Chris Hietbrink said she was delighted to support the event because it was “in support of what the UNE community is all about, and we feel that we are very much a part of that community”.

This is the third year Services UNE has run the competitions in their current format and the ninth year the student organisation has run a short story competition. The UNE Union Literary Awards ran from 1996 to 2002, attracting hundreds of entries and recognising dozens of talented writers with awards and prizes.

Ms Graham said the competition was part of Services UNE’s ongoing commitment to providing cultural activities for its members.

“We see it as giving students who are interested in writing or photography the chance to enter a competition and receive some recognition for their talent and hard work,” she said. “It might encourage them to enter other competitions or to go further with their creative interests. Last year's judge, for instance, won a short story writing competition while she was at university and went on to publish a novel.”

Entry to the photography and short story competitions is open to all current students of UNE. Entries close at 4pm on Friday, October 13. Entry forms are available at http://www.servicesune.com.au or from the Services UNE office at the University of New England. Prizes will be presented on Friday, November 3 and winners will be publicly announced on Monday, November 6.

For more information contact Tanya Graham on (02) 6773 3067.

Posted by Leon Braun at July 25, 2006 03:49 PM