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Barry Young River of Stories Awards
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Barry Young River of Stories Awards

2 girls at a laptop in the Albury Library Mueseum
Word limit

500, 1,000 & 1,500

Prize amount

Primary students
Winner: $50 + $300 for school library
Runners-up: $25 book voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Secondary students
Winner: $100 + $300 for school library
Runners-up: $50 book voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Closing date

Midnight, Friday 25 July, 2025

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Now in its 22nd year, Barry Young River of Stories is a writing competition for primary and secondary school students who live in the Albury Wodonga region. Students in Years 3 to 12 are invited to submit short stories or poems relating to the theme ‘Adventure’.

Students are encouraged to think creatively about the term ‘Adventure’. Going on holidays, trekking in the jungle and sailing the seven seas are certainly adventures, but so too is starting a new school, moving house or getting a new pet. The possibility for an adventure is all around us in everyday life. Prizes will be awarded to the individual winning writers in each category and the school of the winning writers.

The Barry Young River of Stories is supported by the Albury Hume Rotary Club.

Primary Students

2025 Theme: Adventure

Poetry

Categories: Years 3+4, Years 5+6
Winner in each category: $50 + $300 for school library
Runners-up in each category: $25 voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Short Story

Categories: Years 3+4 (500 word limit), Years 5+6 (1000 word limit)
Winner in each category: $50 + $300 for school library
Runners-up in each category: $25 voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Closing date

Midnight, Friday 25 July, 2025

Secondary Students

2025 Theme: Adventure

Poetry

Categories: Years 7+8, Years 9+10, Years 11+12
Winner in each category: $100 + $300 for school library
Runners-up in each category: $50 voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Short Story

Categories: Years 7+8 (1000 word limit), Years 9+10 (1500 word limit), Years 11+12  (1500 word limit)
Winner in each category: $100 + $300 for school library
Runners-up in each category: $50 voucher
Best overall: $250 for school

Closing date

Midnight, Friday 25 July, 2025



Thank you to the generous sponsors of this competition


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