A wide variety of prose and poetry was well received during this year’s Dungala Kaiela Writing Awards.
The awards have been running for six years and recognise excellence in Aboriginal writing. This year about 60 entries were received from a cross-section of the Aboriginal community, with both youth and elders taking up the pen to express themselves.
Dungala Kaiela Writing Awards judge Joyce Doyle has helped determine the winners of the awards since it first started six years ago. Ms Doyle said the entries she received were of a high standard and it was wonderful to see so many people embrace the chance to write. “We’ve been able to provide a space for young and old people of the community to write a story,” she said. “We’ve had a huge intake of people putting their hands up and having a go at it.”
Ms Doyle said there is also a language section for keen writers who would like to incorporate the Yorta Yorta language into their work. “It’s just nice that we’re able to provide young kids and elders with the chance to come together and tell a story,” she said.
Gowrie St Primary School Year 6 student Lillie Walker, 12, entered her story, Why Nga Love Going Camping, in the junior language category. Lillie said she used Yorta Yorta language to talk about the importance of camping as a way of bringing her family together.
“I enjoy writing because you can write about whatever you want, you can use your imagination,” she said.
