The Iris Lewis Award
A writing competition in Beaconsfield
Want to enter a ISO 2020 writing competition (with cash prizes) to help ease the iso-boredom a bit?
Iris Lewis is the pseudonym (pen name) of Joan Armitage, wife of the early printer of the Beaconsfield Banner. She lived in Beaconsfield for over 40 years and wrote numerous articles for the Banner. Joan instigated the Iris Lewis award to encourage young writers.
Read the full article on Joan and her life.
The first winner of the award, in 1997, was Naomi Harris who wrote a poem which is shown below.
Lockdown 2.0 writing competition
Here we are second time around in Victoria’s stage 4 lockdown, but it feels different from the last time doesn’t it?
- How have you coped the second time around?
- What did you change this time around that improved your lockdown experience?
- What positives have you noticed that this isolation time has had on you personally and within your household?
The 2020 Iris Lewis Award writing competition is being conducted with the following categories and prizes available:
- Years 2-4 (Prize $25 and presented certificate)
- Years 5-7 (Prize $50 and presented certificate)
- Years 8-10 (Prize $75 and presented certificate)
- Open category (Prize $50 and presented certificate) for an entry considered Outstanding and in need of recognition
It could be a narrative piece, poetic prose, persuasive debate or a recount. The writing style is up to you and can include a picture. Entries only accepted from Beaconsfield community members (ie family members who live or work in Beaconsfield). They must include the full name, 2020 grade level and parent contact details of the entrant, to be eligible.
Consider the earlier prompt questions and the referenced articles.
We want to know about your experience as a young person in isolation:
- what you have learnt
- what you now understand about people and
- what you are hopeful for when you think about the future.
Each category will be judged age appropriately. The judges are less concerned with grammatical correctness and are more looking for insight and growth during this “unprecedented time”.
Please note: The judge’s decision on all matters is final
Entries can be emailed by Monday September 28th to
secretary@beaconsfield.org.au
or posted to
PO Box 217
Beaconsfield, 3807
We hope that restrictions will be eased by term 4 so that Cr Brett Owen can present the Iris Lewis Award certificates (with appropriate social distancing!!) and the local press can take a photo to publish, along with an article in the Beaconsfield Banner.
Graeme Taylor
President BPA
The information above has been crafted into a beaut flyer for you to download.
