The Courageous Kids Writing Competition

Young people in Grades 4, 5 and 6, living in the Goldfields Libraries region are encouraged to share a story about a time when they were courageous by entering The Courageous Kids Writing Competition.  

The competition celebrates the release of Courageous Kids and their Amazing Adventures by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Liz Duthie. The book is an exciting collection of historical stories about real-life young Australians who have shown incredible courage. They include Lennie from Leongatha, who, at the age of nine, rode his horse 936 kilometres to see the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, fourteen-year-old Grace, who rescued shipwreck survivors from the wild Warrnambool surf, and brave Bee, who kept her younger brothers and sisters alive on an island for six weeks until help arrived.

“The stories in the book are amazing, but we wanted to create an opportunity for young people today to think about how brave they are. Whether it’s sharing a big adventure or smaller moment of courage, like when they had to get through a tough time, performed in the school play, or stood up for a friend, we are really looking forward to hearing their stories,” says Castlemaine-based artist Liz Duthie.

The winning entry will be made into a mini book by the National Library of Australia and will be illustrated by Liz. It will be added to their collection for everyone to read.

Stories must be 300-500 words, neatly hand-written or typed. Entries close 5pm on Friday 24 November. Entries can be submitted to any Goldfields Library branch, or emailed to shaeh@ncgrl.vic.gov.au. 

The winning story will be announced at the Courageous Kids and their Amazing Adventures book launch at 10.30am, Saturday 2 December, at the Castlemaine Library. All are welcome. For more information, visit ncgrl.vic.gov.au/courageouskids. 

Courageous Kids and their Amazing Adventures is published by the National Library of Australia is available at bookshops and online.