Welcome to Words Out West

The Central West Writer's Centre is dedicated to fostering the creative development of writers in our region and promoting all aspects of reading and writing through an exciting partnership with Central West Libraries. Whether you are pursuing writing as an enriching and creative part of your life, or are primarily a reader with an appreciation of writing, the Centre aims to create a literary and writing program that caters to the needs of a diverse community and brings writers and readers of all ages together to share their love for the written word.

Newsletter of the Central West Writers' Centre

The Central West Writers' Centre Words Out West Autumn Newsletter 2012 is now available.

Banjo Paterson Writing Awards Entries Closed Friday 20 April

** Please note this competition is now closed **  Winners will be announced on Monday 25 June.

Entries postmarked Friday 20 April 2012 will be accpeted in the competition. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards and to celebrate the occasion adult category winners will receive a limited edition Banjo bust sculpture by local artist Michael Lewis as part of their prize.

Poet, solicitor, journalist, war correspondent and ballad writer Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson (1864 – 1941) was born on February 17 and to celebrate his birthday Central West Libraries in conjunction with the Central West Writers’ Centre, The Central Western Daily and ABC Central West Radio announce the call for entries to the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards. 

Since established in 1991 these awards aim to honour Banjo Paterson, a great Australian writer and favourite son of Orange, with a competition to foster writing of prose or poetry with Australian content.  Banjo is most famous for writing the ballad Waltzing Matilda and the poem The Man From Snowy River.

There are four categories:  
Prose or Short Story (Category 1)
Open Poetry (Category 2)
Bush Poetry (Category 3) and
ABC Central West Radio Children’s Writing Awards. 

Entries in category 1 and 2 and the Children’s Writing Awards do not have to be written in the same style as the work of Banjo Paterson or in ‘bush style’ as the awards are aimed at promoting all forms of Australian writing and all writers.  The only requirement is for Australian content – be it theme or style.

First prize is $1,000, 2nd $400 and 3rd $200 in each of categories 1 and 2.  The third category is bush poetry with prizes of $500 for 1st, $200 for 2nd and $100 for third. Entry is $10. The prizes for the ABC Central West Radio Children’s Writing Awards are 1st prize $200, 2nd and 3rd $100 each.  Entry is $5 for these awards and entries must be the unaided work of the entrant to age 16 years on Friday 20 April 2012.

The judges will also consider Children’s entries for the Yvonne Zola Encouragement Award named in honour of the late Yvonne Zola, who was an inspiring English teacher.

The competition closes on Friday 20 April 2012 and winners will be contacted by phone on Monday 25 June 2012.  The winning prose entry will be published in The Central Western Daily and winning entries will also be published on the Central West Libraries website www.cwl.nsw.gov.au and Central West Writers’ Centre website www.wordsoutwest.com.au.

Our Writers' Centre:

• Gives information about writing and writers and offers a library of resource materials.
• Hosts readings, book launches, workshops and seminars.
• Offers workshops, training and opportunities for mentoring.
• Acts as an information and liaison centre for writers, editors, writing organisations and educational institutions in the Central West.
• Supports regional literary development.

  Subscribing to the Central West Writers' Centre entitles you to:

• A quarterly newsletter
• Attendance to workshops, seminars and other events
• Invitations to events, readings, book launches, workshops and seminars.

  To subscribe to the newsletter please enter your details on the subscriber form on this page or phone 6393 8125 or email: writing@orange.nsw.gov.au

  The Central West Writers' Centre is located upstairs at the Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange.  Eveyone is welcome.

  The Central West Writers' Centre is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.