The winner of the 2021 Greater Shepparton Story Writing Competition for Grade 5 and 6 students was presented with a professionally printed copy of her book at St Mel's Primary School yesterday.
The winner, Grade 6 student Elora Natalizio, also received a certificate for her winning book When I Grow Up I'm Going To Be, which will now be included as part of the local book bag program for 12 months and handed out to children attending their 3.5 year Maternal and Child Health visit.
The book competition is an initiative of the Greater Shepparton Early Years Language workgroup which is part of Greater Shepparton City Council's Best Start program. This is the eighth year the workgroup has run the competition which is open to all Grade 5 and 6 students attending a school in Greater Shepparton. The workgroup wanted to include a local story as part of the book bag program and to celebrate local young talent.
Council's Manager Early Years Sally Rose said nearly 1,000 children receive the bag each year from their Maternal and Child Health nurse.
"Reading is such an important and enjoyable activity and the program hopes to encourage a love of books and reading amongst children and their families," Ms Rose said.
Students were asked to write and illustrate an original story and could partner with another student if they wished. Primary schools could select up to three entries from their students to put forward for judging.
"We received 16 entries from six different primary schools which is wonderful considering the challenges we have all faced with COVID-19 this year. The quality of the entries received was very high and the creative and colourful illustrations really added to the stories," Ms Rose said.
"An independent, three-person judging panel had the difficult task of selecting a winner and each said it was extremely tough. In the end all three judges agreed When I Grow Up I'm going To Be was the winning story for 2021 so congratulations to Elora."
A copy of all 16 stories will be placed in the Shepparton Library to read and appreciate the young talent we have here in Greater Shepparton. A copy of the winning story will also be sent to every primary school in Greater Shepparton.
St Mel's Primary School also received a $100 voucher to purchase books and all runners up received a certificate.
Names from left to right:
Bridie Cooke (teacher), Cara Sofi (teacher), Sharlese Walker (student), Elora Natalizio (winner), Joe Dwyer (teacher), Adyleine O'Shea (student), Carmel Hutchison (teacher), Charlotte Almond (student) and Chris Summers (principal)
Cover Image by Sigmund
