Campbelltown Writer's Competition
The annual Campbelltown Writers’ Competition is on again, and writers from across South Australia are invited to submit their original stories inspired by the theme of Connections. Entries can be fiction or non-fiction but must not exceed 2,500 words and must have a link to the Campbelltown area, a Campbelltown resident or references to the City of Campbelltown. All genres and styles welcome.
Entries are now closed for the 2026 Campbelltown Writers' Competition. The winners and runners-up have been announced and can be found below.
This competition is facilitated by Campbelltown City Council and judged by Writers SA.
Please ensure you have read and complied with the full Terms and Conditions prior to entry.
Connections
In 2026, our theme is Connections - the threads that link us to each other, to ideas, and to the places that shape our lives. As Campbelltown Library marks 50 years of learning, creativity, and community spirit, this theme highlights how libraries connect people across generations, interests, and experiences. From local gatherings to digital networks, Connections honours the many ways we come together and continue to grow as a community.
Categories and prizes
There are 3 categories for entry, each with prizes up for grabs.
Junior Writer
(7–14 years)
1st place: $125 gift card
2x runners-up: $75 gift card
Youth Writer
(15–24 years)
1st place: $175 gift card
2x runners-up: $100 gift card
Open Writer
(25+ years)
1st place: $225 gift card
2x runners-up: $125 gift card
2026 winners
Congratulations to all our 2026 winners!
Junior Writer (7-14 years):
- Winner - The Boy and the Duck by Callum Harmer
- Runner up – The Changing Island by Kayla Farnham
- Runner up - Two Windows and Two Lamps by Chloe Staykov
Youth Writer (15-24 years)
- Winner – How to Perfect the Human Race by Su Nguyen
- Runner up - Timeless Connection by Rachel Trudy Diprose
- Runner up - I'm Glad You Called by Naisha Raj
Open Writer (25+ years)
- Winner - The threads we don't see by Shraddha Iyer
- Runner up - Dewey Eyes by James Myhill
- Runner up - Pane Della vita - Bread of Life by Janine Fitzhenry
More information
For enquiries, please contact Jennifer at jhauschild@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.
By entering the Campbelltown Writer's Competition, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- The writing competition is open to all forms of writing, including short stories, factual articles, memoirs and poetry.
- You do not have to live in the Campbelltown area, but must be a South Australian resident.
- Your story must relate to the theme of Connections.
- For the Open Writer category, your story must have a reference to the Campbelltown area. For the Junior and Youth Writer categories, a reference to Campbelltown is preferable, but not essential.
- Entrants must be unpublished (people with academic publications and self-publications online are still eligible to enter).
- The entry must be the author's original work and submitted in English.
- Any person under 18 must have parental or legal guardian approval to enter.
- One entry per person only.
- The entry must not exceed 2,500 words.
- Entries must be submitted as a Word document through the online portal – hard copies will not be accepted.
- The author’s name should not appear on the entry itself.
- Once an entry is submitted, the entry is final. The entry may not be withdrawn or alterations made.
- The judges’ decision is final. Judges’ reserve the right to not award prizes.
- Prizes will consist of Coles Group & Myer Gift Cards to the value of:
Junior Writer: 1x $125 and 2x $75
Youth Writer: 1x $175 and 2x $100
Open Writer: 1x $225 and 2x $125 - By entering your work, entrants grant Campbelltown City Council and Writers SA a non-exclusive, personal, perpetual, royalty-free licence to publish (including electronically), broadcast, edit and adapt the awarded entry.
- Copyright is retained by the author.
- AI Policy: All entries for the Campbelltown writers' competition must be the author’s own original work that the author must hold the copyright and/or IP rights for. We do not accept entries created using generative AI, and if a suitable AI detector flags suspicious content, your entry will be disqualified at the discretion of the judging panel. Similarly, if a piece of work contains clear copyright infringements (for example, using song lyrics, unattributed work of another writer that exceeds fair use, or trademarked content), it may also be disqualified.