The Territory's most creative young writers have been announced, with 13-year-old Amy Devlin-Aylott being crowned the 2024 Young Territory Author Award winner for her book 'Casting Out.'
The judges, which included Lisa Burnett from City of Darwin, librarian Pat Moore, Laura Lewis from The Bookshop Darwin and author Daniel Bolton, said Amy's book "unfolds at a natural pace, supported by the author's authentic voice, exploring the changing tides of relationships and importance of connection at any age."
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis praised the creativity and imagination of all the award winners.
"We are immensely proud of the Young Territory Author Awards which go from strength to strength each year," Mr Vatskalis said.
"I continue to be incredibly impressed by the creativity and skill of the young authors from all over the Territory.
"This year our overall winner, Amy Devlin-Aylott, is the sister of last year's winner, Liora Devlin-Aylott, which is lovely to see.
"I would like to thank the judges who had the tough job of selecting the winners, as well as everyone who submitted an entry to keep these awards going after all these years," he said.
The Young Territory Author Awards aim to encourage literacy among young Territorians as well as encourage young people to express themselves through writing stories.
There were a number of impressive winners this year, including Hirudini Bowala who won the '8 and under' category for her book, 'Danny the Dragon', described as a "a simple, cute and heartwarming story that reminds you that your close friends will always be there for you."
There were two winners in the '16 to 18' category, Maya Purdon for her book 'This Onyx Occult' and Chay Keating for his book, 'The Hollow Three', with the judges noting that "the author expertly weaves together place, character and narrative; crafting a suspenseful tale that makes a strong bid for a place amongst the tradition of gothic fiction set in the Australian bush."
Milkwood Steiner took out the school award for their book 'The World Outside the Hollow' with the judges noting that this "beautifully illustrated book tells an affecting and relatable story of habitat loss in our own backyard."
The Young Territory Author Awards program was launched by City of Darwin Libraries in 1991 to encourage the development of literacy in the Northern Territory and has grown in success each year with over 150 entries received this year.
The full list of winners is as follows:
- 2024 Overall Winner: Amy Devlin-Aylott, Book: CASTING OUT
- 8 and under:
- Winner: Hirudini Bowala, Book: DANNY THE DRAGON
- Highly Commended: Esther Manuel & Emmanuel Manuel, Book: NOW ITS YOUR TURN
- Encouragement Award: Samuel Herejias, Book: A LAB TALE: UNTROUBLING THE TROUBLE
- 9 to 12:
- Winner: Liora Devlin-Aylott, Book: HONEY BEA
- Highly Commended: Angela Koh, Book: SHADOW'S JOURNEY
- Encouragement Award: Zac Trenfield, Book: THE WATER TOWER
- 13 to 15:
- Winner: Monte George, Book: SAND TO SKY
- Highly Commended: Audrey Foster, Book: ILE DE BREHAT
- Encouragement Award: Liadan M. Young, Book: KARMA
- 16 to 18:
- Winner: Chay Keating, Book: THE HOLLOW THREE
- Winner: Maya Purdon, Book: THIS ONYX OCCULT
- Highly Commended: Pak Chan, Book: CITY OF STRINGS
- School Winner: Milkwood Steiner, Book: THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE HOLLOW
- CBCA NT Wow Award: James Cuff, Book: ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY
- Regional Winners:
- Darwin: Joash Miles, Book: THE HUNGRY PANDA
- Alice Springs: Pippa Freya, Book: THE MYSTERY OF THE HUGHES MANSION
- Katherine: Cas Street School, Book: TRAVELLING THROUGH TIME
- Litchfield: Maya Purdon, Book: THE ONYX OCCULT
- Palmerston: Arslan Siddique, Book: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
- East Arnhem: Evelyn Flynn, Book: UNDER OUR LAKE
- Wagait: Chay Keating, Book: THE HOLLOW THREE
