A book launch for The Long Way Home - by Jo Bailey with Ronnie Sabin will be held in these locations tomorrow Friday 12 March: Meet the authors at the front of Jayes Gallery and Cafe from 10am - 12 noon, 31 - 33 Gidley Street, Molong or Boomers' Bookshop, City Centre, Orange 2pm - 4pm. The book is promoted as the story of Fairbridge Farm School that needs to be told. "At last a balanced account of life at Fairbridge through the eyes of Ronnie Sabin, who for six years in the 1950s called Fairbridge Farm School at Molong home. Often hilarious, sometimes heart-wrenching, The Long Way Home adds a positive perspective to the Child Migrant Scheme debate. It pays tribute to Fairbridge and details Ronnie's delight as finally being reunited with his family in England after 55 years." It retails for $29.95

Australian Book Review is reviving the Short Story Competition, with a first prize valued at $2000. There are two other prizes. All three place-getters will be published in the magazine. Stories in English of between 1000 and 3000 words are eligible, as long as they have not been published previously or are not on offer elsewhere. Multiple entries are acceptable. The closing date is May 10. For an entry form go to: http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/competitions/short-story-competition

or call (03) 9429 6700. ABR now publishes short fiction. They welcome submissions from authors.

A couple of great opportunities to support performing artists and have a go yourself. So come on and get involved:

Wed 3 March from 6.30pm Wattle Foyer Soiree - Live Mic and Artists Networking Opportunity Come along and make the Soiree whatever you like...

Thursday 11 & Friday 12 March 8pm No Planet B - contemporary dance by emerging choreographer Alison Plevey with 8 young Bathurst dancers Tickets only $8/$12.00

Sat 13 March 7.30pm for 8pm Cabaret Kite 'Curiouser & Curiouser - a mad tea party..' Tickets $12 ( BMEC members) and $15 Hosted by Queen of Hearts - Kate Smith

To book your place at any of these great events contact BMEC Box office 6333 6161

Get in quick for this one. Screen NSW is calling for further applications to its Aurora script development program for 2010. The deadline is COB, Tuesday 2 March. Ashley Luke, Director, Creative Partnerships, Screen NSW, said that there are openings in the 2010 program for projects that fit the Aurora criteria, as it was considered that some previous applicants were more suited to alternative development pathways.

Applicants are advised, given the tight deadline, that scripts will NOT be accepted. In the first instance, Screen NSW is calling for a detailed synopsis. All other eligibility requirements, which are outlined in the guidelines and on the application form, must be strictly adhered to and sent along with the synopsis.

For application forms and/or further information visit the Screen NSW Aurora webpage or telephone Louise Blue, Aurora Coordinator, on 02 8222 4844, fax 02 8222 4040 or by email at aurora@screen.nsw.gov.au

Oberon Writers' Workshop, Friends of Oberon Library & Burraga Ag Bureau presents the 2nd Oberson Writers' Competition. There are 2 sections: NARRATIVE: 1st $100, 2nd $25 An original piece of narrative writing of 1500 to 2500 words, not previously published. Theme: Water. Fee: $5 per entry, limit of two entries per section. POETRY: 1st $100, 2nd $25

An original poem or suite of poems in any style, 120 lines or less in total, not previously published. Theme: Water Fee: $5 per entry, limit of two entries per section. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate cover sheet with title of entry, writer's name and contact details. Writer's name not to appear on item submitted. Forward entries and fees, cheque or money order, payable to Burraga Ag Bureau, to Ms A Russell, 1303 Isabella Rd, Isabella, NSW 2795. If items are to be returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Entries close 30th June, 2010. Winners will be announced at 51st Burraga Sheep Show & Country Fair on Saturday, 28th August, 2010. For further details phone Anne Russell, 02 6337 0363 or email everanne@activ8.net.au.

Prizes donated by Burraga Ag Bureau, Friends of Oberon Library & Oberon Writers' Workshop

Okay - check out this great idea - The Story Bag. This media agency aims to bring Australian writers into our everyday world. They are searching for short stories, poems and sayings that can be printed on paper/cloth bags and/or coffee cups to be distributed by cafés, wine stores and retail outlets - an innovative new channel to reach the public and make literature part of our everyday life. They offer authors: • Paid publication of their work • Direct exposure to the Australian public • Exposure to a variety of businesses including publishers, cultural associations, bookstores • Long term retention of their work in the database.

Up to three entries at a time allowed enabling a demonstration of different styles and pieces. Please send your short stories, poems and sayings (maximum 1800 characters including spaces) to barbara@storybag.com.au. For more information on the project go to www.storybag.com.au.

Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson was born on February 17, 1864 and to celebrate his birthday Orange City Council, Central West Libraries, Central West Writers' Centre supported by The Central Western Daily and ABC Central West Radio announce the call for entries to the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards. It is important to note that entries into the Prose (Short Story), Open Poetry and Children's Writing Awards categories of the competition do not have to be in the style of Banjo's writing. Entry forms are available from Central West Libraries branches, by phoning 6393 8120, email: writing@orange.nsw.gov.au or [download here]. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children per entry. The competition closes on Friday 16 April 2010 and winners will be contacted by phone on Monday 21 June 2010. There are cash prizes to be won and the winning Prose (Short Story) entry will be published in the Central Western Daily.

In 2010 Going Down Swinging turns 30 years old, and to celebrate the journal is producing a special anniversary 30th edition. GDS No.30 will be launched in a series of fantastic performance events in August and September, in Australia and New Zealand. GDS No.30 will feature new poetry, short fiction, comic art, and spoken word from around the world in a bumper book / CD edition. GDS is now calling for submissions of poetry, short fiction / non-fiction, flash, comic art, haiku and haiga, and spoken word recordings. Head to the GDS website: to download the Guidelines and Cover Sheets and send in your work, to be a part of GDS history. Submissions for this issue will close on 31st March.

Meuse Press has released an e-anthology titled "From This Broken Hill" – an unique combination of writing from some of the country's top writers (past & present) combined with a dazzling array of photography. A place of near mythic proportions, this city deep in the outback. A mine that put the money into Melbourne. Arts hub while simultaneously isolated by distance. But in some ways Broken Hill was the experiment that became multicultural Australia – it had the country's first mosque, many communities continue to thrive within its boundaries. The rough heart of Unionism still stands strong. People escape to this city, others escape a childhood there. It has its horrors and highlights, once there you'll never forget. Read an excerpt from a Napoleon Bonaparte set in the city, read the view back from leading poet Rae Desmond Jones who grew up there and wonder at the mining waste turned into a thing of beauty surrounded by red soil. Edited by Barbara De Franceschi, Marvis Sofield and Les Wicks. Supported by Broken Hill Regional Writers' Centre, Broken Hill City Council, Countrylink & ArtsNSW. It is available at http://brokenhill.tripod.com/BrokenHill.htm

Always wanted to write? Don¹t know how to get started? Or what to write about? Need a refresher? A change of direction? A day out with words? Whether you are an aspiring writer or an old hand take some Time to Write: a program of two workshops with exercises to get you thinking, remembering, imagining and writing; hints on developing work and other challenges; plus some discussion of future needs and projects. Time to Write will be facilitated by published writer Lizz Murphy on Thursday February 11 and Thursday February 25 at Boorowa Ex-Services Club on the Dining Room, Pudman Street, Boorowa, 10.00 am-3.30 pm. BYO lunch or lunch to share. Bookings essential. Please phone Lizz Murphy on 6227 4393. Cost is a total of $30 (or $20 unwaged, Boorowa Book Club and ACTWC members) for both workshops - payable on first day. Or book for one workshop only: $25 ($15 unwaged and Boorowa Book Club and ACTWC members). Lizz Murphy lives in Binalong and has published ten books including five poetry collections, and five anthologies or community publications. In 2006 and 2007 she travelled to Calcutta as part of an Australia-India Poetry Exchange. The Time to Write workshops are supported by the ACT Writers Centre, Boorowa Book Club and Boorowa Ex-Services Club.